Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), a type of pleiotropic immunoregulatory cytokine with a specific structure, participates in the regulation of host cell growth and migration and immune responses. Following parasitic infections, hosts may produce MIF and then participate in the parasite-host interactions. In addition, parasites may secrete parasite-derived MIF, and they jointly participate in parasite-host interactions. This paper reviews the regulation of MIF gene expression following parasitic infections, the role of MIF in parasite-host immune system interactions, and important signaling pathways of MIF-mediated immune responses.

Metastasis is the main reason that affects the survival and death of cancer patients. In recent years, it has been found that Rab25 is closely related to tumor invasion and metastasis. Rab25 has dual role in tumor metastasis, which can be used as oncogene or tumor suppressor gene. In most tumor types, Rab25 is an oncogene, and only in a few tumors, Rab25 shows tumor suppressor function. However, the dual action mechanism and signal pathway of Rab25 are not very clear. This article summarizes the related research on the role of Rab25 in tumor metastasis.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the preventive and therapeutic effects of Xiaobanxia Fuling Decoction (XBFD) on cisplatin-induced pica rats and to study its mechanism.

METHODSForty-two male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into the following 7 groups, i.e., the blank control group, the model group, the high-, middle-, and low-dose XBFD groups (at the daily dose of 30, 15, and 7. 5 g/kg, respectively), the aprepitant (at the daily dose of 13 mg/kg), and pure Chinese medicine group (at the daily dose of XBFD 15 g/kg), 6 in each group. On the 3rd day of this study, 3 mg/kg cisplatin was intraperitoneally injected to rats except the blank control group and the model group to establish the pica rat model. The consumptions of kaolin, food, and the general situation of rats were observed. The protein and mRNA expressions of neurokinin 1 receptor (NK1R) in both the medulla oblongata and the gastric antrum were measured by immunohistochemical assay and Real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR respectively on the sixth day of this study.

RESULTSOn the third, fourth, and fifth day of this study, the consumption of kaolin of rats significantly increased when compared with the blank control group (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the consumption of kaolin significantly decreased in the high-, middle-, and low-dose XBFD groups on the third, fourth, and fifth day of this study (P<0.05). The food intake of rats in the high-dose XBFD groups significantly increased when compared with the model group on the third day of this study (P<0.05). The protein and mRNA expressions of NK, R in the medulla oblongata and the gastric antrum significantly decreased in the high- and middle-dose XBFD groups when compared with the model group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSXBFD could prevent and treat cisplatin-induced pica in rats. Its effect might be correlated with decreasing expressions of NK, R in the medulla oblongata and the gastric antrum.

Animals ; Cisplatin ; adverse effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Pica ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; prevention & control ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, Neurokinin-1 ; metabolism

Zoster sine herpete (ZSH) is one of the atypical clinical manifestations of herpes zoster (HZ), which stems from infection and reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus (VZV) in the cranial nerve, spinal nerve, viscera, or autonomic nerve. Patients with ZSH display variable symptoms, such as neuralgia, however, different from HZ, ZSH show no zoster, which makes clinical diagnosis difficult. ZSH not only causes initial symptoms, such as neuropathic pain in the affected nerve, Bell palsy, and Ramsay Hunt syndrome, but also postherpetic neuralgia and fatal complications such as VZV encephalitis and stroke. The misdiagnosis of ZSH and tardy antiviral treatment may lead to severe ZSH sequelae. We review the publications related to ZSH, especially its diagnosis with VZV DNA and/or anti-VZV immunoglobulin (IgG and IgM). More work about ZSH, especially ZSH epidemiological survey and guidelines for its diagnosis and treatment, are needed because most of the present studies are case reports.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common type of primary liver cancer and has relatively high incidence and mortality rates. Abnormal modification of N6-methyladenosine (m6A) may promote the development and progression of HCC. This article describes the structure and function of m6A and summarizes the mechanism of action of methylase complexes which decide the function of m6A in HCC, including methyltransferases (writers), demethylases (erasers), and m6A-binding proteins (readers). It is pointed out that more in-depth studies are needed to clarify the diverse and specific role of methylase complexes in HCC, so as to help them become the new targets for the prevention and treatment of HCC in the future.

The gold-standard for bone substitution of large bone defects continues to be autogenous bone graft. Artificial bone substitutes are difficult to replace the autogenous bone grafting due to excessive immune response, fast biodegradation characteristics and inappropriate biocompatibility. Given these drawbacks, osteoimmunology and its advanced functional biomaterials have gained growing attention in recent years. Immune system plays an essential role during bone healing via regulating the shift from inflammatory to anti-inflammation phenotype, and inflammatory cytokines response. The inflammatory reaction mainly include infiltration of immune cells (such as macrophages, neutrophils, T cells, B cells, etc) and release of inflammatory factors (such as IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, etc.) at the bone defects, which subsequently affect the step-wised process of bone healing rejuvenation. Hence, advanced bone biomaterials with immunomodulatory properties is of great significance for the treatment of patients with recalcitrant bone defects, especially for delayed healing or non-union. The reciprocal mechanism of immuno-modulated bone healing, however, is not fully understood and more research is required in the future.
Osteogenesis ; Cytokines ; Biocompatible Materials ; Macrophages ; T-Lymphocytes ; Bone Regeneration

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of rhizoma paridis total saponins(RPTS)on the levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in blood serum of two-hit rat model induced by multiple fractures and lipopolysaccharide.

METHODSSixty-eight Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups. The models were made in four groups (expect the blank control group) in accordance with the standard of two-hit animal model induced by multiple fractures and lipopolysaccharide. At 1 hour after models made,the rats in RPTS groups were given rhizoma paridis total saponins with different concentrations by intragastric administration. Six hours later, the concentrations of TNF-alpha, IL-1 beta and IL-6 in the blood serum of all rats were detected by ELISA (enzyme linked immunosorbent assay).

RESULTSThe concentrations of TNF-alpha, IL-1 beta and IL-6 in blood serum of rats in the model group were remarkably higher than those in the blank control group (P<0.001), and these in the RPTS groups were remarkably lower than those in the model group (P<0001).

CONCLUSIONRPTS can decrease the levels of TNF-alpha and IL-6 and IL-1 beta in the blood serum of rats subjected to two-hit induced by multiple fractures and lipopolysaccharide.

Animals ; Cytokines ; blood ; Female ; Fractures, Bone ; blood ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Lipopolysaccharides ; metabolism ; Male ; Multiple Trauma ; blood ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Rhizome ; chemistry ; Saponins ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo explore the influences of di-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) and its principle metabolite mono(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (MEHP) on spermatogenic cell apoptosis in young male Wistar rats.

METHODSNinety-eight 2-week-old male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 14 equal groups to receive daily intragastric administration of 0.2 ml/kg normal saline for 3 weeks (normal control), 100 mg/kg cyclophosphamide (CTX) for 1 week (positive control), 100, 200, and 300 mg/kg DEHP or MEHP for 1 week, or 100 mg/kg DEHP or MEHP for 1, 2, and 3 weeks. After the treatments, the pathological changes of the testicular tissues were examined, spermatogenic cell apoptosis was detected, and serum sex hormones levels were measured using TUNEL assay or radioimmunoassays.

RESULTSCTX, DEHP, and MEHP all caused shrinkage, development retardation and quantitative reduction of spermatogenic cells with and mitochondrial swelling vacuolar changes. The damage of spermatogenic cells increased significantly with the increment of DEHP and MEHP doses and exposure time. Both DEHP and MEHP treatments resulted in significantly increased cell apoptosis index (AI) in close correlation with the exposure doses and duration (P<0.01). DEHP and MEHP treatments also significantly increased serum levels of follicle stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone and decreased testosterone levels in a dose- and time-dependent manner (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONDEHP and MEHP can induce obvious apoptosis of spermatogenic cells in young male rats with a dose- and time-dependent effect.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Diethylhexyl Phthalate ; analogs & derivatives ; toxicity ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Environmental Exposure ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Spermatozoa ; cytology ; drug effects

OBJECTIVE: By nearly 3-year retrospective analysis of cases with space-occupying lesions in unilateral nasal sinus in Guizhou Province People's Hospital, clinical diagnostic and misdiagnosis of such lesions were explored to provide references for clinicians in diagnosis and treatment of such diseases. METHOD: Combining related literatures in recent years, 213 patients with space-occupying lesions in unilateral nasal sinus were selected. The patients misdiagnosed were reviewed for its clinical manifestations, of patients had been misdiagnosed, imaging features and and pathology. RESULT: Of 213 patients, 116 cases located in the left nasal sinus and 97 in right, 65 patients were nasal polyps, 66 were sinus cyst, 20 were fungal sinusitis, 31 were benign tumor, 28 were malignant tumor and 3 were nasal foreign body. Misdiagnosis were as follow: 12 patients with malignant tumor were misdiagnosed as nasal polyps and the misdiagnosis rate 5.63%. Nasal foreign bodies were misdiagnosed as sinusitis in 2 cases and the misdiagnosis rate 0. 94%. Inserted papilloma misdiagnosed as nasal polyps in 6 cases and the misdiagnosis rate 8.45%. Fungal sinusitis misdiagnosed as purulent sinusitis in 5 cases and the misdiagnosis rate 2.35%. Sinus cyst misdiagnosed as sinusitis in 8 cases and the misdiagnosis rate 3.75%. CONCLUSION Enquiry history, carefully specialized examination including nasal endoscopy, three-dimensional image and biopsy are crucial on the accurate diagnosis and reducing the misdiagnosis.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Child ; Diagnostic Errors ; Endoscopy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nose Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Paranasal Sinus Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Retrospective Studies ; Young Adult

Objective: Accumulating evidence has shown that aberrant alternative splicing events are closely associated with the onset and development of cancer. However, whether genetic variants-associated alternative splicing is linked to risk of endometrial cancer remains largely uncertain. Methods: We identified single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) locates in the splicing number trait locus (sQTL) of endometrial cancer using the CancerSplicing QTL database. In parallel with bioinformatics analysis, we conducted a case-control study comprising 2,000 cases and 2,013 controls to assess the association between identified SNP which possesses mRNA splicing function and endometrial cancer susceptibility. Furthermore, we used the Kaplan-Meier Plotter, The Human Protein Atlas, SPNR, and Spliceman2 databases for sQTL and differential gene expression analyses to identify the genetic variant which most potentially influence the risk of endometrial cancer through alternative splicing to reveal the potential mechanism by which candidate SNPs regulate the risk of endometrial cancer. Results: The results indicated that SNP rs7128029 AConclusion These findings suggest that SNP rs7128029-mediated alternative splicing events in PSMD13 are associated with endometrial cancer risk and may be a potential early screening biomarker for endometrial cancer-susceptible populations.