OBJECTIVETo explore the possible relationship between recurrent aphthous ulcer (RAU) and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)-509T/C and interleukin-10 (IL-10)-1082A/G sites.

METHODSA total of 138 RAU patients were recruited for this study. The control group consisted of 124 subjects. TGF-β1-509T/C and IL-10-1082A/G sites were detected by restriction fragment length polymorphism-polymerase chain reaction (RFLP-PCR) and sequence specific primer-polymerase chain reaction (SSP-PCR). Relative risk ratios were estimated by odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95%CI).

RESULTSSignificant differences were found in the genotype frequencies or allele frequencies of TGF-β1-509T/C and IL-10-1082A/G sites between the RAU patients and controls (P < 0.05). CT genotype (OR = 1.231, 95% CI = 0.702-2.160), TT genotype (OR = 2.482, 95% CI = 1.250-4.927), and T allele (OR = 1.465, 95% CI = 1.036-2.074) at the TGF-β1-509 site exhibited high risks. AG genotype (OR = 1.391, 95% CI = 0.808-2.396), GG genotype (OR = 4.165, 95% CI = 1.944-8.924), and G allele (OR = 2.134, 95% CI = 1.474-3.089) at the IL-10-1082A/G site also showed high risks.

CONCLUSIONTGF-β1-509T/C and IL-10-1082A/G sites are associated with the risk of RAU. The TGF-β1 gene-509T allele and IL-10 gene-1082G allele may serve as genetic determinants for RAU.

Alleles ; Gene Frequency ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Genotype ; Humans ; Interleukin-10 ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Stomatitis, Aphthous ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; Transforming Growth Factors

Objective:To explore the possible relationship between recurrent aphthous ulcer( RAU) and the single nucleotide polymor-phism(SNP)of IFN-γ+874A/T site and IL-2-330T/G site. Methods:138 RAU patients and the 124 health control subjects were in-cluded. IFN-γand IL-2 serum concentration were detected by ELISA. IFN-γ+874A/T site and IL-2-330T/G site of the whole blood were detected by RFLP-PCR and SSP-PCR. Results:IFN-γand IL-2 levels in serum of the patients were significantly lower than those of the controls(P<0. 05). There was significant difference in the genotype frequencies and allele frequencies of IFN-γ+874A/T site between the 2 groups(P<0. 05). The AA genotype(OR=9. 964)and the A allele (OR=3. 801) at the IFN-γ+874A/T site was with high-risk of RAU. Carry A allele in patients with risk of RAU was to carry the T allele of 3. 801 times. There was no significant differ-ence in the genotype frequencies or allele frequencies of IL-2-330T/G site between the 2 groups(P>0. 05). Conclusion: IFN-γ+874A/T site was associated with the risk of RAU. But,IL-2-330T/G site was not.

Objective To investigate the relationship between nitric oxide and contractile disfunction of junctional zone of smooth muscle by detecting the expression of nitric oxide in uterine junctional zone in patients with adenomyosis.Methods From February 2012 to July 2012,23 patients with adenomyosis undergoing hysterectomy as adenomyosis group matched as 16 patients with cervical carcinoma or ovarian cancer were enrolled as control group in Center of Minimally Invasive Gynecology,Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital.Location of nitric oxide synthase (inducible NOS and endothelial NOS) in uterine junctional zone was analyzed by immunohistochemistry.Smooth muscle cells of junctional zone were cultured and cellular mRNA levels of nitric oxide synthase were detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction.Furthermore,concentration of nitrites in lysates of fresh junctional zone tissues and cultured cells were determined by Griess reaction.Results (1) The expression of nitric oxide synthase proteins in smooth muscle cells of junctional zone tissues:the staining of iNOS was intensive in smooth muscle cells of junctional zone in patients with adenomyosis,while staining of eNOS was scant.Both staining of iNOS and eNOS were not observed in control group.(2) The expression of NOS genes in cultured smooth muscle cells from adenomyosis:mRNA level of iNOS was elevated by 1.5 times (P ＜0.01) while eNOS level was reduced by 2.6 times when compared with those in control groups (P ＜ 0.05).(3) Nitrites concentration in lysates of junctional zone tissues and cultured cells:concentrations of nitrites in lysates of 100 mg tissues were respectively (37 ± 8) μmol/L and (28 ± 5) μmol/L in adenomyosis and control group (P ＞ 0.05).While concentrations of nitrites in 1 × 106 cells were respectively (11.8 ± 0.6) μmol/L and (10.8 ± 1.5) μmol/Lin adenomyosis and control group,which did not reach statistical difference (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion Upregulation of nitric oxide might be associated with contractile disfunction of smooth muscle cells in uterine junctional zone of patients with adenomyosis.

Objective To investigate the expression of RhoA and Rho kinase in junctional zone (JZ) of adenomyosis and normal myometrium and explore its relationship with severity of dysmenorrheal.Methods From Mar.to Dec.2012,32 cases with adenomyosis undergoing hysterectomy were enrolled as adenomyosis group including 18 cases with proliferative endometrium and 14 cases with secretory endometrium matched with 29 cases with hysterectomy due to cervical disease and ovarian tumor as control group including 12 cases with proliferative endometrium and 17 cases with secretory endometrium in Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University.JZ smooth muscle cells were isolated and cultured immediately after the operation.The expression of mRNA and protein of RhoA and ROCK Ⅰ in JZ in two groups were measured by real-time fluorescence quantitative RT-PCR and western blot.Results (1) The mRNA expression of RhoA and ROCK Ⅰ in JZ of adenomyosis group did not show cyclic change.In proliferative phase,the expression of RhoA and ROCK Ⅰ (1.41 ±0.16,1.05 ±0.15) was not significantly higher than that in secretory phase (1.17 ± 0.25,0.98 ± 0.10) (P ＞ 0.05).While JZ in control group,it showed obviously cyclic change.The expression level of them in proliferative phase(0.93 ±0.10,1.00 ± 0.18) was significantly higher than that in secretory phase (0.48 ± 0.03,0.55 ± 0.05) (P ＜0.05) ; It also showed that expressions of RhoA and ROCK Ⅰ in adenomysis group were significant higher than those in the control (P ＜ 0.05).(2) The mRNA and protein expression of RhoA and ROCK Ⅰ was positively correlated in each of two groups (r =0.48,P ＜ 0.01 ; r =0.67,P ＜ 0.01).(3) The expression of RhoA and ROCK Ⅰ were 1.66 ±0.19,1.32 ±0.11 in severe dysmenorrheal,1.28 ±0.12,1.09 ±0.08 in moderate dysmenorrheal and 0.93 ± 0.09,0.81 ± 0.06 in mild dysmenorrheal,it all reached statistical difference when compared the other group.(All P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions The expressions of RhoA and ROCK Ⅰ in JZ in adenomyosis group were higher than those in control group,and positively correlated with the severity of dysmenorrheal in adenomysis group,but it does not change with the menstrual cycle.High expression of RhoA and ROCK Ⅰ might be involved in abnormal contraction of uterine myometrium and correlated with the dysmenorrheal in adenomysis.

The central nervous system (CNS) plays a key regulatory role in glucose homeostasis. In particular, the brain is important in initiating and coordinating protective counterregulatory responses when blood glucose levels fall. This may due to the metabolic dependency of the CNS on glucose, and protection of food supply to the brain. In healthy subjects, blood glucose is normally maintained within a relatively narrow range. Hypoglycemia in diabetic patients can increase the risk of complications, such as heart disease and diabetic peripheral neuropathy. The clinical research finds that the use of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has a positive effect on the treatment of hypoglycemia. Here the authors reviewed the current understanding of sensing and counterregulatory responses to hypoglycemia, and discuss combining traditional Chinese and Western medicine and the theory of iatrogenic hypoglycemia in diabetes treatment. Furthermore, the authors clarify the feasibility of treating hypoglycemia on the basis of TCM theory and CNS and have an insight on its clinical practice.

Toxoplasma gondii cathepsin C proteases (TgCPC1, 2, and 3) are important for the growth and survival of T. gondii. In the present study, B-cell and T-cell epitopes of TgCPC1 were predicted using DNAstar and the Immune Epitope Database. A TgCPC1 DNA vaccine was constructed, and its ability to induce protective immune responses against toxoplasmosis in BALB/c mice was evaluated in the presence or absence of the adjuvant α-GalCer. As results, TgCPC1 DNA vaccine with or without adjuvant α-GalCer showed higher levels of IgG and IgG2a in the serum, as well as IL-2 and IFN-γ in the spleen compared to controls (PBS, pEGFP-C1, and α-Galcer). Upon challenge infection with tachyzoites of T. gondii (RH), pCPC1/α-Galcer immunized mice showed the longest survival among all the groups. Mice vaccinated with DNA vaccine without adjuvant (pCPC1) showed better protective immunity compared to other controls (PBS, pEGFP-C1, and α-Galcer). These results indicate that a DNA vaccine encoding TgCPC1 is a potential vaccine candidate against toxoplasmosis.
Animals ; B-Lymphocytes ; Cathepsin C* ; Cathepsins* ; DNA* ; Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte ; Immunoglobulin G ; Interleukin-2 ; Mice* ; Peptide Hydrolases ; Spleen ; Toxoplasma* ; Toxoplasmosis* ; Vaccines, DNA*

Objective:To investigate the status quo of continuing education and training needs among general practitioners in Pudong New Area of Shanghai.Methods:An online questionnaire survey was conducted among general practitioners registered in the community health service center of Shanghai Pudong New Area in September 2019. The questionnaire included items of general information, the status quo of continuing education, the training needs and demands, and the knowledge and skills to be improved.Results:There were total 1 824 general practitioner in Pudong New Areal, 861 participated in the survey with a participant rate of 47.2%. A total of 861 valid questionnaires retrieved with a response rate of 100.0%. Among all participants, 79 (9.18%) thought that continuing education was very useful for improving or developing their professional ability, 564 (65.51%) thought it was useful, and 41 people (4.76%) thought it was almost useless. There were significant different in views on the roles of continuing education among participants with different ages, types of registration, and working years (χ2=15.544, 15.382, 21.979; P<0.05). There are 112 participants (13.01%) who spend less than 1 day in continuing education each month, and 224 (26.02%) who spent more than 3 days a month in continuing education, the times of attending continuing education was related to the taking administrative duty for general practitioners (χ2=9.551, P<0.05). When general practitioners choose continuing education programs, the first consideration was the practicability of the contents [772 (31.94%)], followed by the form of teaching [541 (22.38%)]. The three most recognized forms of continuing education courses were online learning (28.22%), training and off-line teaching (25.58%) and special lectures (24.69%) The three most required knowledge and skills to be improved through continuing education were the endocrine system, respiratory system, and blood circulation system. Conclusions:The survey shows the current status and traing needs of continuing education among general practitioners in Shanghai Pudong New Area, which indicates that it is necessary to take the job competence as the core and carry out various activities of continuing education for general practitioners in community health service centers.