The purpose of this study was to investigate the localization and expression characteristics of phosphorylated form of extracellular-signal regulated-protein kinasel/2 (p-ERKl/2), Ras and C-fos in skin at different development stages and to explore their potential biological significance. Immunohistochemistry and pathological methods were used to detect the expression intensity and distribution of p-ERKl/2, Ras and C-fos in skin of 8 fetuses with different gestational ages (13 to 31 weeks) and 8 adults. Positive immunohistochemical signals of p-ERK1/2, Ras and C-fos. could be found in fetal and postnatal skins. Along with the increment in gestational age, the positive cell rates of p-ERK1/2, Ras and C-fos in the skin elevated progressively. In skins derived from the fetus of late-trimester pregnancy and adult, the positive rates of these three proteins were significantly increased in comparison with skin from the early-trimester fetus (P

Objective To study expression intensity and distribution of phosphorylated forms of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase1/2 (ERK1/2), stress-activated protein kinase (SAPK) and P38MAPK in normal skin and hypertrophic scars and their potential biological significance. Methods The morphological characteristics of hypertrophic scars in different periods after wound healing and normal skin were examined histopathologically. Protein expression of p-ERK1/2, p-SAPK and p-P38MAPK was also assessed with immunohistochemical technique. Results In normal skin, phosphorylated forms of ERK1/2, SAPK and P38MAPK were mainly located in epidermal basal cells, in which the positive cellular rates of all the three proteins were low. Along with the maturation of hypertrophic scars, protein contents of p-ERK1/2 and p-SAPK were progressively increased. In mature hypertrophic scars, positive signals of these two proteins were mostly distributed in keratinocytes and some fibroblasts. The positive cellular rate of p-P38MAPK ascended in active hypertrophic scar, then decreased to a level which was still higher than that of normal skin. Conclusion The formation of hypertrophic scars may be associated with the alteration in signaling pathways which results in the increment of protein contents of p-ERK1/2, p-SAPK and p-P38MAPK.

Objective　To investigate the contamination status of Bacillus cereus in food, the profile of virulence factors carried, and drug sensitivity characteristics in Liaoning Province. Methods　A total of 620 samples were isolated from 15 monitoring sites, covering four major sample types of food products in Liaoning Province between 2021 and 2022. Bacillus cereus was isolated and identified by GB4789.14—2014, and its virulence was assessed using PCR detection of the groEL and gyrB genes specific to the bacterial group, as well as 11 other virulence genes. Broth microdilution method was used to detect the antibiotic sensitivity of the strain. Results　All 79 Bacillus cereus strains were found to carry virulence genes. The detection rates of non-hemolytic enterotoxin genes nheC, nheA, and nheB were 100% (79/79), 93.3% (74/79), and 83.5% (66/79), respectively. The detection rate of enterotoxin entFM gene was 98.7% (78/79). The 79 strains of Bacillus cereus carried 19 types of virulence gene patterns, with IX and XVII gene patterns being the most prevalent, each accounted for 16.5% (13/79). The resistance rates of 79 strains of Bacillus cereus to 10 antibacterial drugs were 100% for both ampicillin and penicillin. The resistance rates to cotrimoxazole, imipenem, erythromycin, clindamycin, ciprofloxacin, and tetracycline 65.8% (52/79), 10.1% (8/79), 73.4% (58/79), 60.8% (48/79), 75.9% (60/79), and 70.9% (56/79) respectively. The resistance rates to chloramphenicol and gentamicin were both 0%. Conclusion　Food from catering services in Liaoning Province shows contamination by Bacillus cereus, with isolated strains carrying at least four kinds of virulence genes. About 100% of the isolates were resistant to ampicillin and penicillin, whereas high sensitivity was observed to chloramphenicol and gentamicin. Active monitoring, timely targeted prevention and control interventions should be strengthened to provide a theoretical basis for future traceability studies.

Objective To investigate the optimal monochromatic parameters of CT angiography (CTA) on small feeding arteries of abdominal tumors using single source dual-energy CT with gemstone spectral imaging (GSI) technique.Methods The clinical and medical imaging data of 32 patients with abdominal malignant tumor were analyzed retrospectively during January to April 2012.Three phase-enhanced CT scans (Discovery CT750 HD,GE Heahhcare,Milwaukee,USA) of the abdomen were recorded using the GSI technique on 32 patients.The minor feeding arteries of tumor with diameter between 1.5 mm to 3.0 mm were reconstructed by 140 kVp mixed energy,66 keV,and optimal monochromatic mode respectively.After CT scanning,the original data were processed with layer and interval of 0.625 mm,the 140 kVp mixed energy images and 70 keV monochromatic images were obtained with standard algorithm.The original images were conveyed to AW4.5 work-station to process furthermore,then the data of the optimal monochromatic group and 66 keV group were reconstructed.Comparative parameters include contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR),signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and subjective scores of the small feeding arteries CTA quality.Subjective scores were evaluated by two radiologists according to the sharpness and resolution of the small feeding arteries.One-way ANOVA was used to for statistical analysis.Results CNR of the optimal monochromatic group,the 66 keY group,and the 140 kVp mixed energy group were 21.70 ±9.74,16.63 ±7.60,and 9.85± 6.76,respectively.SNR were 35.05 ± 17.75,26.77 ± 11.51,and 16.32 ± 9.5,respectively.Subjective scores were 4.58 ± 0.40,3.55 ± 0.57,and 2.75 ± 0.46,respectively.CNR,SNR and subjective scores had significant difference among groups (F =17.11,15.73 and 116.01,P ＜ 0.01).The optimal monochromatic group was superior to the 66 keV group and the 140 kVp mixed energy group.Conclusion The optimal monochromatic mode can improve CTA quality of small feeding arteries of abdomen malignant tumors with GSI technique using single source dual-energy CT.

AIM: To investigate gene expression of bax, bcl-2 and p53 in fetal skin at different gestational ages and children skin in order to explore their potentially biological significance. METHODS: Apoptosis in skin specimens was determined by terminal deoxynucleotidy transferase mediated dUTP-biotin nick-end labeling technique (TUNEL). Gene expressions of bax, bcl-2 and p53 in skin at different developmental stages was examined with reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS: Along with fetal growth and development, the incidence rate of apoptosis was increased progressively in skin. In skin from early gestational fetus, bcl-2 was strongly expressed. This gene expression was progressively decreased with increment in gestational age. In children skin, the mRNA content of this gene was significantly reduced compared with fetal skin (P

AIM: To explore the localization and expression of transfo rming grow th factor-? 1,2 (TGF-? 1,2 ) and alpha-smooth muscle actin (?- ASMA) in fetal a nd adult skins. METHODS: Skins of 15 cases of fetuses with different gestational ages and 5 cases of adults were taken, embedded with paraffin wax, and sectione d. Immunohistochemistry method and pathological method were used to detect the e xpression intensity and distribution of TGF-? 1,2 and ?-ASMA. RESULTS: Positive immunohistochemical signals of TGF-? 1,2 and ?-A SMA were found in fetal and adult skins. In skins derived from young fet us, the positive signals of these three proteins were very weak. Along with the incr ement in gestational age, the positive cellular rates of TGF-? 1,2 and ?- ASMA were elevated pro gressively. In elder fetal and adult skins, TGF-? 1,2 were mostly distributed i n epidermal cells, endothelial cells and some fibroblasts, while ?-ASMA was mainly located in myofibroblasts and sweat gland epithelial cells. CONCLUSION: The endo genous TGF-? 1,2 might be involved in the cutaneous development at embryoni c stage, in the cutaneous structure maintenance at adult stage, and in the wound healing af ter injury.

OBJECTIVETo explore the regulatory mechanisms of transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) and two transcriptional factors Smad 2, 3 on hypertrophic scar formation and fetal scarless healing.

METHODSThirty-two cases were detected to compare the gene expression of TGF-beta1, Smad 2 and Smad 3 with RT-PCR. Among those cases, there were 8 cases of hypertrophic scars, 8 cases of control skins, 8 cases of fetal skins and 8 cases of adult skins.

RESULTSTGF-beta1, Smad 2 and Smad 3 gene expression could all be detected in hypertrophic scars, fetal and adult skins. Among 8 groups examinated in this experiment (each group comprised a hypertrophic scar and its corresponding normal skin), there were 5, 8 and 5 groups in which TGF-beta1, Smad 2 and Smad 3 gene expression were higher in hypertrophic scars than in normal skins respectively. The fetal skins showed significantly lower level of TGF-beta1 and Smad 3 gene expression compared with adult skins (t = 2.204, P < 0.05 and t = 4.269, P < 0.01 respectively), while mRNA contents of Smad 2 were obviously higher in fetal skins than in adult skins (t = 6.685, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONTGF-beta1 and its downstream signal molecules Smad 2, Smad 3 might be involved in hypertrophic scar formation. Higher gene expression of TGF-beta1, Smad 2 and Smad 3 in hypertrophic scars might lead to stimulating extracellular matrix deposition, inducing fibroblast proliferation and accelerating fibrogenesis. Lower mRNA contents of TGF-beta1 and Smad 3 in fetal skins compared with adult skins might be associated with fetal scarless healing.

Cicatrix, Hypertrophic ; metabolism ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Skin ; metabolism ; Smad2 Protein ; Smad3 Protein ; Trans-Activators ; genetics ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; genetics ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive disease with unknown etiology and limited therapeutic options. Activation of fibroblasts is a prominent feature of pulmonary fibrosis. Here we report that lncRNA DACH1 (dachshund homolog 1) is downregulated in the lungs of IPF patients and in an experimental mouse model of lung fibrosis. LncDACH1 knockout mice develop spontaneous pulmonary fibrosis, whereas overexpression of LncDACH1 attenuated TGF-β1-induced aberrant activation, collagen deposition and differentiation of mouse lung fibroblasts. Similarly, forced expression of LncDACH1 not only prevented bleomycin (BLM)-induced lung fibrosis, but also reversed established lung fibrosis in a BLM model. Mechanistically, LncDACH1 binding to the serine/arginine-rich splicing factor 1 (SRSF1) protein decreases its activity and inhibits the accumulation of Ctnnb1. Enhanced expression of SRSF1 blocked the anti-fibrotic effect of LncDACH1 in lung fibroblasts. Furthermore, loss of LncDACH1 promoted proliferation, differentiation, and extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition in mouse lung fibroblasts, whereas such effects were abolished by silencing of Ctnnb1. In addition, a conserved fragment of LncDACH1 alleviated hyperproliferation, ECM deposition and differentiation of MRC-5 cells driven by TGF-β1. Collectively, LncDACH1 inhibits lung fibrosis by interacting with SRSF1 to suppress CTNNB1 accumulation, suggesting that LncDACH1 might be a potential therapeutic target for pulmonary fibrosis.