Human Platelet Sulfotransferase Shows Seasonal Rhythms

Our study aimed to investigate the possible presence of seasonal changes in platelet phenolsulfotransferase (ST) in a group of 20 healthy, drug-free subjects of both sexes and between 24 and 37 years of age. Blood samples were taken four times a year in the period immediately following the equinoxes and the solstices. The results showed that both STs underwent seasonal changes: the lowest values were found in autumn and in winter, and the highest in the summer. A positive correlation between the two STs and the length of the photoperiod was observed in winter, whereas in the spring we detected a negative correlation between the TL ST and the photoperiod length. Future studies should clarify whether platelet ST of patients with mood disorders shows a similar seasonality.     

VIP in cerebrospinal fluid of patients with multiple sclerosis

The concentration of VIP was measured radioimmunochemically in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from 14 healthy volunteers and from 22 patients with multiple sclerosis. Significantly lower levels of VIP was obtained in the patients (18 +/- 3 pmol/l) than in controls (37 +/- 4 pmol/l). There was no correlation between the level of VIP in CSF and other CSF parameters such as albumin. IgG or cell content; nor between VIP concentration and the physical handicap or neuropsychiatric symptoms. There was a trend towards lower values of VIP in patients with steadily progressing rather than intermittent course of the disease but the difference between the groups was not significant.     

A microcomputer based method for the rapid and detailed measurement of seedling root systems

Summary A simple method for making detailed measurements of seedling root systems is described. Photocopies of root systems are traced over by an operator using a digitizing system attached to a microcomputer. The computer calculates and prints the lengths of axis, laterals and sublaterals for each root system. Accurate measurements can be achieved with a degree of speed and detail unobtainable by other methods.     

Reliability of surface electromyography for the gluteus medius muscle during gait in people with and without chronic nonspecific low back pain

The purpose of this study was to determine the intratester reliability of surface electromyography (EMG) assessment of the gluteus medius muscle in healthy people and people with chronic nonspecific low back pain (CNLBP) during barefoot walking. Gluteus medius muscle activity was measured twice in 40 people without and 30 people with CNLBP approximately 7 days apart. Walking gluteus medius muscle activity was normalised to maximal voluntary isometric contractions during side-lying hip abduction with manual resistance. Good intratester reliability (ICC > 0.75) was found for mean, peak, and peak to peak amplitude for healthy people. Only mean amplitude demonstrated good intratester reliability in those with CNLBP. Peak amplitude and peak to peak amplitude of the gluteus medius muscle of those with CNLBP, and the time of peak amplitude in both groups, demonstrated moderate reliability (ICC ranged from 0.50 to 0.58). Moderate to large standard error of measurement and minimal detectable change values were reported for outcome measurements. These results suggest that potentially large levels of random error can occur between sessions. Future research can build on this study for those with pathology and attempt to establish change values for EMG that are clinically meaningful.     

胃复春片联合兰索拉唑肠溶片对慢性萎缩性胃炎患者血清胃肠激素、炎症因子及免疫功能的影响

摘要 目的：胃复春片联合兰索拉唑肠溶片对慢性萎缩性胃炎（CAG）患者血清胃肠激素、炎症因子及免疫功能的影响。方法：选取62例CAG患者,根据门诊挂号奇偶性分为对照组（n=31,兰索拉唑肠溶片治疗）和研究组（n=31,胃复春片联合兰索拉唑肠溶片治疗）。比较两组患者疗效、胃肠激素[胃泌素(GAS)、胃动素(MTL)]、炎症因子[超敏C反应蛋白（hs-CRP）、肿瘤坏死因子-α（TNF-α）、白介素-6（IL-6）]、免疫功能及不良反应。结果：研究组治疗2个月后的总有效率为87.10%（27/31）,高于对照组的64.52%（20/31）,差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。治疗2个月后,研究组hs-CRP、TNF-α、IL-6、GAS、CD8P低于对照组,MTL、CD4P、CD4⁺/CD8⁺高于对照组（P<0.05）。两组不良反应发生率对比未见明显差异（P>0.05）。结论：胃复春片联合兰索拉唑肠溶片治疗CAG疗效确切,可有效改善机体胃肠激素、炎症因子水平及免疫功能,且安全可靠,具有一定应用价值。     

多囊卵巢综合征患者与健康人群肠道菌群差异性分析

目的比较多囊卵巢综合征(PCOS)患者与健康人群间肠道菌群的差异,为后续研究提供参考。方法采用16S rDNA扩增子测序法对30例PCOS患者(PCOS组)和20例健康人(健康组)粪便标本中菌群结构进行分析,并比较两组之间的区别。结果与健康组相比,PCOS组患者肠道菌群α多样性降低。PCOS组患者肠道厚壁菌门(Firmicutes)、放线菌门(Actinobacteria)丰度高于健康组,拟杆菌门(Bacteroidetes)丰度低于健康组(均P0.05)。两组对象肠道梭菌门(Clostridia)、放线菌门(Actinobacteria)丰度差异无统计学意义(均P0.05)。PCOS组患者肠道变形杆菌纲(Proteobacteria)、芽胞杆菌纲(Bacilli)、红椿杆菌纲(Coriobacteriia)丰度高于健康组,拟杆菌纲(Bacteroidia)丰度低于健康组(均P0.05)。PCOS组患者肠道布劳特菌属(Blautia)、霍氏真杆菌属(Eubacterium_hallii_group)、阴沟杆菌属(Agathobacter)丰度高于健康组,拟杆菌属(Bacteroides)、粪杆菌属(Faecalibacterium)丰度低于健康组(均P0.05)。两组对象肠道双歧杆菌属(Bifidobacterium)、埃希菌-志贺菌属(Escherichia-Shigella)丰度差异无统计学意义(均P0.05)。结论 PCOS患者存在肠道菌群失调情况,但其是否是PCOS发展的潜在致病因素需要进一步研究。     

Optimization of trans-Resveratrol bioavailability for human therapy

We have developed an innovative soluble galenic form to overcome the low absorption of trans-Resveratrol (t-Res) as a dry powder. We present here data on pharmacokinetics, bioavailability, and toxicity of t-Res in human volunteers treated with this soluble form, plus additional data on biological effects in rodents. Fifteen healthy volunteers of both sexes received 40 mg of t-Res in two forms, the soluble formulation (caplets) and the original powder (capsules), in a crossover design. Blood samples were collected at 15 min, 30 min, and every hour for 5 h. Plasma concentrations of t-Res and its metabolites were analyzed by liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. The single dose (40 mg) of the soluble t-Res was well absorbed and elicited biologically efficient blood levels (0.1–6 μM) for several hours, despite metabolization into glucuronide and sulfate conjugates coupled to renal elimination. In contrast, t-Res administered as a dry powder barely elicited efficient blood levels for a short duration. The new formulation led to 8.8-fold higher t-Res levels in plasma versus the powder. t-Res metabolism was not modified and neither intolerance nor toxicity were observed during the study and the following week. The soluble formulation elicited a robust anti-inflammatory effect in various tissues of mice fed a high-fat diet, while dry powder t-Res was almost inactive. Our data suggest that significant improvements in t-Res bioavailability and efficiency can be obtained by this soluble galenic form, also allowing lower doses. The use of t-Res in human therapy is thus greatly facilitated and the toxicity risk is reduced.     

PSCA gene variants (rs2294008 and rs2978974) confer increased susceptibility of gallbladder carcinoma in females

Background and aim

PSCA is a tissue specific tumor suppressor or oncogene which has been found to be associated with several human tumors including gallbladder cancer. It is considered to be involved in the cell-proliferation inhibition and/or cell-death induction activity. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the role of PSCA gene polymorphisms in gallbladder cancer risk in North Indian population.

Methodology

A total of 405 gallbladder cancer patients and 247 healthy controls were included in the case–control study for risk prediction. We examined the association of two functional SNPs, rs2294008 and rs2978974 in PSCA gene by genotyping using Taqman allelic discrimination assays. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS software, version 17. Linkage disequilibrium and haplotype analysis was done with the help of SNPstats software. FDR test was used to correct for multiple comparisons.

Results

No significant associations of rs2294008 and rs2978974 genetic variants of the PSCA gene were found with GBC risk at allele, genotype or haplotype levels. Stratifying the subjects on the basis of gallstone also did not show any significant result. However, on gender stratification, we found a significant association of T_rs2294008-G_rs2978974 haplotype with higher risk of GBC in females (FDR Pcorr = 0.021, OR = 1.6). In contrary, T_rs2294008-A _rs2978974 haplotype conferred significant lower risk in males (FDR Pcorr = 0.013; OR = 0.25).

Conclusions

These findings suggest that PSCA genetic variants may have a significant effect on GBC susceptibility in a gender specific manner.     

健康体检人群甲状腺结节多普勒超声检查结果及影响因素分析

目的:研究健康体检人群甲状腺结节多普勒超声检查结果及影响因素。方法:将从2018年1月~2019年12月,于医院接受体检的健康体检人员5270例纳入研究,对所有受试者均进行多普勒超声检查,分析超声检查结果和体检人群基线资料的关系,分析甲状腺结节多普勒超声特征。采用单因素以及多因素Logistic回归分析健康体检人群甲状腺结节的影响因素。结果:在5270例健康体检人群中,甲状腺结节检出率为51.86%(2733/5270),女性甲状腺结节检出率为52.83%(2355/4458),高于男性的46.55%(378/812),且随着年龄的不断增长,健康体检人群甲状腺结节检出率呈逐渐升高趋势(均P<0.05)。甲状腺结节患者的多普勒超声检查特征以低回声以及结节直径<2 cm为主(均P<0.05),但是结节数目以及病变部位比较无明显差异(均P>0.05)。经单因素分析发现:吸烟、甲状腺疾病家族史、高血压及糖尿病的健康体检人员甲状腺结节检出率高于不吸烟、无甲状腺疾病家族史、无高血压及无糖尿病的健康体检人员(均P<0.05),而不同民族、受教育年限、体质量指数(BMI)、是否饮酒的健康体检人员甲状腺结节检出率比较无统计学差异(均P>0.05)。经多因素Logistic回归分析发现:女性、年龄、吸烟、甲状腺疾病家族史、高血压及糖尿病均是健康体检人群甲状腺结节发生的独立危险因素(均OR>1,P<0.05)。结论:甲状腺结节多普勒超声检查特征以低回声以及结节直径≤2 cm为主,其影响因素包括年龄、性别、吸烟、甲状腺疾病家族史、高血压及糖尿病,值得临床重点关注。