OBJECTIVETo explore the effects of Wenyang Huazhuo Tongluo Recipe (WYHZTLR) containing serum on transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1)/Smad signaling pathway of skin fibroblasts in systemic sclerosis (SSc).

METHODSTotally 36 SSc patients were randomly assigned to Chinese medicine (CM) group, Western medicine (WM) group, and integrative medicine (IM) group according to random digit table, 12 in each group. Patients in the CM group took WYHZTLR decoction (one dose per day). Patients in the WM group took penicillamine tablet (0. 125 g each time, bid) and Prednisone Acetate Tablet (PAT 20 mg, qd). Patients in the IM group took penicillamine, PAT, and WYHZTLR decoction (in the same dosage of corresponding drugs as aforesaid). All patients were treated for one month to get drug containing serum. Besides, 10 untreated SSc patients' serum was taken as the control group. Healthy subjects' skin fibroblasts were originated from healthy skin tissue of the upper arms of 2 female patients undergoing plastic surgery. Corresponding serum of each group was added in the culture system of SSc patients' and healthy subjects' dermal fibroblasts respectively. Expression levels of TGF-β1 receptor type I (TGF-β1 RI), TGF-β1 receptor II (TGF-β1 RII), p-Smad2/3 and Smad7 protein were examined by Western blot. Expression levels of collagen type I and collagen type III (Col-I, Col-III) mRNA were examined by reverse transcription PCR. Contents of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1) in the supernatant of SSc, skin fibroblasts were examined by ELISA.

RESULTSCompared with the control group, expression levels of TGF-β1 R I and p-Smad2/3 protein significantly decreased, but expression levels of Smad7 protein significantly increased in skin fibroblasts of SSc patients and healthy subjects of WM, CM, and IM groups (P <0.05, P <0. 01). Meanwhile, the expression level of TGF-β1 RII decreased in the IM group (P <0. 05, P <0. 01). Compared with the WM group, expression levels of TGF-β1 RI and p-Smad2/ 3 protein significantly decreased, but that of Srnad7 protein significantly increased in IM groups (P <0. 01). mRNA expression levels of Col-I and Col-II in SSc skin fibroblasts significantly decreased more in WM, CM, and IM groups than in the control group (P <0. 05, P <0. 01). Besides, the expression level of Col-III mRNA was significantly lower in the IM group than in the WM group (P <0.01). Compared with the control group, serum levels of MMP-9 and MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratios increased more obviously in WM, CM, and IM groups (P <0.05, P <0.01). But expression levels of TIMP-1 decreased significantly in CM and IM groups (P <0.01). Expression levels of MMP-9 and MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratios increased more in the IM group than in the WM group (P <0. 01). Expression levels of TIMP-1 decreased more in CM and IM groups than in the WM group (P <0.01).

CONCLUSIONWYHZTLR containing serum could reduce expression levels of Col-I and Col-III possibly through regulating key signal molecules, such as TGF-β1 RI, p-Smad2/3, and Smad7 in TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway of SSc skin fibroblasts, and inhibiting transduction of TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway.

Collagen Type I ; Collagen Type III ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Fibroblasts ; Humans ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; Scleroderma, Systemic ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; Smad2 Protein ; Smad7 Protein ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; metabolism

Objective To investigate the relationship between genetic polymorphisms in excision repair cross-complementing 1 (ERCC 1 ),xeroderma pigmentosum group D (XPD),xeroderma pigmentosum group C (XPC) and the risk of arsenism caused by coal-burning.Methods Two hundred and twenty-nine patients with arsenism in the endemic area of Jiaole village Xingren county Guizhou province were selected into experimental group.One hundred and ninety-eight inhabitants who had similar living habits but did no burning coal with high arsenic in Dagnoduo village were selected into control group.Two milliliters vein blood samples were taken and analyzed with polymerase chain reaction-restriction frgment length polymorphism technique (PCR-RFLP) to measure the gene polymorphisms of ERCC1 C8092A,XPD Lys751Gln,XPD Asp312Asn,XPD Arg156Arg,and XPC P(AT +/-).Relationship between genotype and the risk of arsenism was also analyzed.Results The frequency of ERCC1 8092CA/AA geno-type in case group [ CA:29.78％ (67/225),AA:10.67％ (24/225) ] was significantly higher than that of control group[CA:23.08％(45/195),AA:5.13％(10/195),x2 =8.116,P ＜ 0.05].The frequency difference of other gene polymorphisms between case and control group was not statistically significant,respectively (x2 =5.649,4.394,0.865,1.490,all P ＞ 0.05).There were 1.780(95％CI:1.174 - 2.698),1.681(95％CI:1.081 - 2.615),and 1.790(95％CI:1.014 - 3.158)-fold increase in risk of arsenism for individuals carrying ERCC1 8092CA + AA,XPD Lys751Gln + Gln751Gln,and XPD Asp312Asn + Asn312Asn genotypes compared respectively with individuals canying ERCC1 8092CC,XPD Lys751Lys,and XPD Asp312Asp(all P ＜ 0.05).The sufferers only with XPD Arg156Arg or XPC P(AT +/-) didn't have higher risk of arsenism(all P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion The results of this study suggest that the gene polymorphisms of ERCC1 C8092A,XPD Lys751Gln,and Asp312Asn are related to the arsenism caused by coal-burning.

Objective To detect genetic polymorphism of myeloperoxidase (MPO) gene and catalase (CAT) gene and their activities, and to analyze their relationship with arsenic poisoning caused by coal-burning. Methods One hundred and thirty arsenic poisoning patients were chosen as case group in Jiaole Village, Xingren County, Guizhou Province(an endemic area). One hundred and forty healthy residents living in 13 km away were chosen as control group. Their blood was collected. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism technique(PCR-RFLP) was used to detect polymorphism of MPO-463G/A and CAT-262C/T. Ultraviolet spectmphotometer method was used to detect myeloperoxidase activity. Chromatometry method was used to detect catalase activity. Results The genotype frequency of MPO-463G/A at GG, GA, AA site was 47.24%(60/127), 44.09%(56/127),8.67% (11/127) in case group and 42.34% (58/137),48.17% (66/137)1,9.49% (13/137) in control group, respectively. The difference between the two groups was not significant(χ2 = 0.642, P > 0.05). The genotype frequency of CAT-262C/T, at CC, CT, TT site was 65.60%(82/125),28.80%(36/125),5.60%(7/125) in case group and 76.51%(101/132), 18.94% (25/132) ,4.55% (6/132) in control group, respectively, without significant difference (χ2 =3.845, P>0.05). The relationship between polymorphism of MPO-463G/A and CAT-262C/T and the risk of arsenic poisoning was not found in this study(ORadj= 1.36, 95%CI: 0.74-2.50 for MPO; ORadj=1.35, 95%CI: 0.69-2.63 for CAT). The activities of MPO and CAT were (25.30±8.70)U/L and (2.80± 1.09)×103 U/L in case group, while (22.76±7.59)U/L and (3.90±1.01)×103U/L in control group with a significant difference(F=0.760 for MPO, F=0.855 for CAT, all P < 0.05). The genotype of MPO-463G/A and CAT-262C/T was not found to have relationship with the activities of MPO, CAT(F=1.312,2.822 for MPO; F= 0.151,0.036 for CAT, P>0.05). Conclusions Genetic polymorphism of MPO-463G/A and CAT-262C/T is not found to have relationship with arsenic poisoning. Arsenic can lead to the change of MPO and CAT activity, which, however, may not be affected by MPO-463G/A and CAT-262C/T polymorphism.

Objective: To study the methylation state within MAGE 1 B′B promoter in gastric carcinoma and the association between demethylation and pathological differentiation, the association between demethylation and clinical stage. Methods: Using methylation sensitive restriction analysis followed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR),we studied 80 specimen that were obtained from surgical samples (including 40 gastric carcinoma and 40 matched adjacent normal gastric mucosae).Results: An demethylation state was identified in DNA from gastric carcinoma specimens.The demethvlation rate is 25%(10/40).In contrast,no demethylation state was identified in DNA from matched adjacent normal gastric mucosae. The differences were Significant statistically. ln our study, the demethylation in poorly, moderately, and well differentiated glandulous cell carcinoma were detected at frequencies of 50%,18.7% and 8.3%,respectively, The differences were significant statistically ( P

Objective To investigate the psychological well-being and the correlation between psychological status and social support among the settled immigrations from Three Gorges Reservoir areas. Methods A cluster randomized sampling was selected and 646 objects were interviewed with Basic Situation Scale,Symptom Check-list 90(SCL-90) and Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS). Results Our findings from the results of SCL-90 revealed that the positive rate of psychological problem was higher in settled immigration than that of local permanent residents (χ2= 4.10, P=0.04). The differences of scores on 6 factors including compulsion ( t=2.644, P=0.009 ), interpersonal-sensitivity ( t= 3.220, P =0.001), depression ( t=2.684, P=0.008 ), anxiety ( t=3.003, P= 0.003 ), paranoid-ideation ( t =3.246, P=0.001 ), psychoticism ( t=2.088, P=0.038) and the total score ( t=2.506, P=0.013) were significantly different in female between the two groups. There were also significant differences of 10factors score and total score (t=4.114, P=0.000) noticed between the two groups in age≤50 (P<0.05) and the differences of 4 factors score including somatization ( t=2.777, P=0.006), interpersonal-sensitivity (t=2.384, P=0.018), hostility ( t = 3.174, P = 0.002), paranoid ideation ( t = 2.611, P =0.010). The total scores (t = 2.125, P = 0.034) were significantly different between the two groups in illiteracy and having received primary school education. Other than compulsion factor (t = 1.884, P =0.061) and phobic anxiety factor (t = 0.979, P = 0.328), there were significant differences on other factors and the total score between the two groups in non-farmers (P< 0.05). Except compulsion (r =- 0.103,P >0.05), hostility ( r = -0.084, P>0.05) and paranoid ideation factor ( r =-0.071, P>0.05), the negative correlations were obvious between the total score, other factors score and social support(P<0.05 ). The negative correlation was obvious between somatization (r=-0.128, P<0.05 ),depression ( r=-0.140, P<0.05 ), anxiety. ( r=-0.137, P<0.05 ), phobic anxiety ( r =-0.120, P <0.05),additional factor ( r=-0.143, P<0.05) total score ( r =-0.137, P< 0.05) and subjective support. The correlation coefficient was not significant between SCL-90 total score, 10 factors score and that of objective support (P>0.05). Conclusion The psychological status of settled immigration was not satisfactory and closely correlated to psychological mental level and social support.

Objective Labial gland biopsy is one of major diagnostic methods for Sj(o)gren's syn-drome(SS).Meanwhile,99TcmO-4 parotid scintigraphy has been proven useful for the clinical evaluation of SS.This study was performed to investigate the correlation between the two examinations and evaluate the semi-quantitative parotid scintigraphy in the early diagnosis and staging for SS patients.Methods There were 135 SS patients and 30 normal subjects as control group in this study.They all underwent 99TcmO-4 pa-rotid scintigraphy.Semi-quantitative analyses of parotid scintigraphy were conducted with parameters inclu-ding maximum accumulation ratio (MAR),maximum secretion ratio(MSR),time interval from stimulation to minimum count(tparotid),prestimulatory oral activity index (PRI) and poststimulatory oral activity index (POI).For comparison, the biopsy of labial gland was performed in each patient and the pathological se-verity was classified into grade 0,1,2,3,4 (also defined as subgroups).One-way ANOVA and q-teat were applied for the correlation analyses between the two examinations.Results There was significant difference between pathological subgroup 3 or subgroup 4 and the control in all the semi-quantitative parame-ters (q=6.79-38.64,P<0.O1).In subgroups 1 and 2,only PRI and POI showed significant changes compared with the control(q=8.33,8.63,all P<0.01).The pathological stages were negatively correla-ted with MAR(r=-0.679,P<0.01),MSR(r=-0.601,P<0.01),PRI(r=-0.724,P<0.01)and POI(r=-0.751,P<0.01),but only positively correlated with tparotid(r=0.364,P<0.01).Con-clusions Most semi-quantitative parameters of 99TcmaO-4 parotid scintigraphy may be well correlated with the pathological severity of labial gland biopsy in SS patients.Further,the semi-quantitative indices espe-eially PRI and POI may be helpful for the early diagnosis and staging of SS patients.

Objective To analysis long-term effects and safety of arsenic trioxide (ATO)-based induction and maintenance therapy in newly diagnosed acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). Methods Retrospective analysis induction remission and post-remission treatment of 62 newly diagnosed APL patients was performed. These cases were followed up for 5 and 7 years. Results The complete remission (CR) rate was similar in ATO/all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) induction group and ATRA/chemotherapy induction group.However, the former group has the shorter time to CR. The negative rate of PML-RARα fusion gene after induction without ATO was less than that of ATO group (86.2 % vs 56.3 %, P ＜0.05). After CR, the 5-year overall survival (OS) between ATO-base rotation maintenance group and chemotherapy-base rotation maintenance group showed that the former was (94.4±5.4) %, the latter is (45.5±10.2) %; 7-year OS was (52.5±23.7) % and (27.3±9.3) %; 5-year disease free survivals (DFS) was (94.7±5,5) % and (41.3±10.1) %; 7-year DFS was (52.6±23.7) % and (27.5±9.4) %. There was significant different in 5-year or 7-year OS and DFS between two groups (P ＜0.05). The relapse rates of the two groups in post-remission treatment were 14.7 % and 37.0 % (P ＜0.05). Conclusion ATO combined ATRA induction therapy increased the negative rate of PML-RARα fusion gene. ATO-base rotation maintenance improved long-term outcome and decreased the rate of relapse. Furthermore, ATO appeared to be generally safe and well tolerated.

Objective To study the value of DSA for hepatic vascular anatomy,and to evaluate the efficacy of portal vein occlusion in rabbits with hepatic VX2 tumor.Methods Twenty New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into two groups with 10 in each group,including test group A and positive control group B of ham operation.For the test group A,portal branch ligation(PBL)was performed for the left external branch after 3 weeks of the tumor implantation to the left external lobe.Two weeks later,the DSA of hepatic artery and portal vein were performed in all of the rabbits.Results The total displaying effectiveness of the branches of hepatic artery by DSA was better than that by vascular perfusion.There was hypovascular blood supply to hepatic artery implantation of the tumor in the test group A,comparing with that of the group B.Conclusion DSA can clearly display spacial details of the hepatic vascular anatomy in rabbits,and play an important role in post-procedual evaluation of the portal vein occlusion in rabbits.

Objective: To establish and implement a smartphone-based school syndromic surveillance system, and to provide references for school communicable disease control and prevention. Methods: A smartphone-based school syndromic surveillance system was constructed and applied. A list of seven symptoms including fever, cough, vomit, diarrhea, rash, red eye and parotid swelling was classified as targeted indicators. Spatio-temporal permutation scanning was applied to automatic early warning. Results: A total of 1 973 school joined the syndromic surveillance system. System usage rate was 54.13%, no significant differences were found among different types of schools(χ2=1.58, P=0.67), whereas significant differences were observed among counties（χ2=726.78, P<0.01). Totally, 852 036 pieces of symptoms data were reported during September 2018 to March 2019, the primary symptoms included cough (35.17%) and fever (21.11%). Time trends in different symptoms varied with time, with fever and cough highest in January, vomit and diarrhea in November. Thirteen pieces of early warning were confirmed as school communicable diseases by field investigation, the average number of the infected students were four. Conclusion The smartphone-based school syndromic surveillance system is generally acceptable. Characteristic seasonal distributions of school communicable diseases are reflected accurately by surveillance system which plays an active role in prevention and control of school communicable diseases.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Ankle Injuries ; surgery ; Female ; Foot Injuries ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Soft Tissue Injuries ; surgery ; Surgical Flaps