AIM: To examine expression of macrophage migration inhibitroy factor (MIF) gene and protein in macrophages induced by oxidized low density lipoprotein (ox-LDL). METHODS: Macrophages were incubated with ox-LDL at the concentration of 150 mg/L for time course (0-36 h) and with ox-LDL at the different concentrations (0-300 mg/L) for 24 h, expression of MIF mRNA and protein were detected by RT-PCR and ELISA. RESULTS: The results showed that ox-LDL increased MIF gene and protein expression in macrophages in a dose and time-dependent manner. After the exposure of macrophage to ox-LDL, the expression of MIF mRNA level increased consistently with protein. CONCLUSION: MIF may play an important role in atherosclerosis. [

Objective To investigate the expression of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) and Smad signaling in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and to explore their roles in the pathogenesis. Methods Fiftythree patients with AS were included in the study. In these 53 cases, 30 patients were performed computed tomography-guided needle biopsy in sacroiliac joint. Serum TGF-β_1 was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Immunohistological studies were performed with the streptavidin-peroxidase conjugated methods to assess the expression of TGF-β_1, p-smad3 and Smad7 in sacroiliac joint tissue sample.One-way ANOVA, two independent samples t test and kolmogoorov-Simimov test were used to do statistical analysis. Results In 53 cases patients with AS, 20 cases were with high level Erythro-cyte sedimentation rate(ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP), while those of the other 33 cases were normal. Serum average TGF-β_1level [ (15.9±5.6) ng/ml ], in patients with high level ESR/CRP [(5.4±5.8) ng/ml ] was significantly increased as compared to the controls and patients with normal ESR/CRP [(4.1±3.6) ng/ml] (P<0.05). There was no expression of TGF-β_1 could be detected in the pannus and bone marrow in SI joints tissue of 30 cases with AS, while decreased level of smad7 expression was detected. In addition, p-smad3 expression was found in the nuclear. Conclusion TGF-β_1 signaling may play an important role in the inflammatory erosion and cartilage fibrosis of sacrojlitis in AS.

Objective To investigate the expression of connective tissue growth factor(CTGF),coll agen I and collagen Ⅲ in sacroiliac joint(SIJ)of patients with spondyloarthropathy(SpA).Methods Thirty patients with SpA,including 17 patients with grade Ⅱ saeroiliitis and 13 patients with grade Ⅰ sacroiliitis,were performed on CT guided needie biopsy of SIJ.After sacroiliitis were confirmed by staining with hematoxylin and eosin in sacroiliac joint tissue sample,immunohistochemical assay was performed to determine the expression of CTGF,collagen Ⅰ and collagen Ⅲ in sacroiliac ioint tissue.Univariate Chi-square test was used for data comparison between multiple groups and t-test was used for two group data comparison.Results Contrast to healthy controls,CTGF were found upexpressed on the cytoplasm of inflammatory cells in pannus and bone marrow of sacroiliac tissue samples of patients with SpA,while collagen I and collagen Ⅲ were found up-expressed in bone,cartilage and ligament tissue[(57.9±42.4)/HP vs(2.7±2.5)/HP P<0.05,0.298±0.080 vs 0.044±0.024 and 28.254±41.165 vs 0.105±0.054.P<0.05 respectively].Conclusion CTGF,collagen Ⅰ and collagen Ⅲ are up-expressed in SIJ of SpA patients.CTGF may play an important role in articular cartilage fibrosis and ossification of SpA.

OBJECTIVETo survey the acceptance and willingness-to-pay for colorectal cancer colonoscopy screening among high risk populations in urban China.

METHODSFrom 2012 to 2013, a Cancer Screening Program in Urban China (CanSPUC) was initiated in 9 provinces, the current survey was conducted among those participants who were evaluated as "high risk for colorectal cancer" by a risk-factor-evaluation-model (community-based) and then went through a colonoscopy screening procedure (hospital-based). All the data were obtained through a questionnaire-based interview (face-to-face or self-completed), mainly focusing on the acceptance and willingness-to-pay of the participants for colorectal colonoscopy screening.

RESULTSThe current analysis included a total of 1 624 participants, with an median age of 55.0 years (P25 = 49.0, P75 = 61.0 years) and an annual income per capita of 17 thousand (range: 10-25 thousand) Chinese Yuan (CNY), 42.8% (695/1 624) of whom were males. Of all the participants, 87.0% (1 414/1 624) could totally or substantially accept the colonoscopy screening, particularly in those at higher education level (junior high school: OR = 0.34, 95% CI: 0.22-0.52; high school OR = 0.41, 95% CI: 0.26-0.66; college or over OR = 0.35, 95% CI: 0.20-0.59). Of all the participants, 13.0% (210/1 624) could not or hardly accept it, particularly in those with older age (60-69 years) (OR = 1.48, 95% CI: 1.06-2.07), not in marriage (OR = 2.15, 95% CI: 1.25-3.70) or with family member(s) to raise (OR = 1.60, 95% CI: 1.17-2.20). 1 388 (85.5%) of all the participants had willingness-to-pay for a long-term colonoscopy screening service, particularly in those working in public (OR = 0.61, 95% CI: 0.44-0.84) or enterprise sectors (OR = 0.60, 95% CI: 0.38-0.94), but 82.3% (1 141/1 386) of whom would only pay less than 100 CNY; 14.5% (236/1 624) of total had no willingness-to-pay, particularly in those living in areas with moderate (OR = 4.08, 95% CI: 2.75-6.33) or high GDP per capita (OR = 3.26, 95% CI: 2.11-4.92), or with an absence of willingness-to-pay for colonoscopy screening (OR = 3.98, 95% CI: 2.81-5.65).

CONCLUSIONSAlthough a larger community-based colorectal cancer screening program was warranted to examine the extrapolation of these findings, it suggested that the acceptance for colorectal cancer colonoscopy screening among the selected high-risk populations was considerable. The willing-to-pay was relatively high but the amount of payment was limited, the indicated subgroups with potentially less acceptance or willingness need to be more focused in the future to reach a higher participation rate. The data will also be informative in integrating the screening service into the local health insurance system.

China ; Colonoscopy ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; Data Collection ; Demography ; Early Detection of Cancer ; Family ; Fees and Charges ; Female ; Humans ; Income ; Insurance, Health ; Male ; Mass Screening ; Middle Aged ; Patient Acceptance of Health Care ; Risk Factors ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Urban Population