Objective: To study the correlation between the expressions of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) and centromere protein-W (CENP-W) in glioma tissues and cells. Methods: The expressions of HIF-1α and CENP-W in high-grade glioma tissues, low-grade glioma tissues and adjacent normal brain tissues were detected by immunohistochemistry, then the relationships of these two proteins' expressions with the clinicopathologic features of patients with glioma were investigated, and the correlation between the expressions of HIF-1α and CENP-W was analyzed. After using cobalt dichloride to inhibit the degradation of HIF-1a protein in glioma U251cells, the expressions of CENP-W mRNA and protein were detected by realtime fluorescene-based quantitative PCR (RFQ-PCR) and Western blotting, respectively. After transfection with the specific small interference RNA (siRNA) targeting HIF-1α gene to down-regulate the expression of HIF-1a in U251cells, the changes of CENP-W mRNA and protein levels were detected by RFQ-PCR and Western bloting, respectively. After transfection with the specific siRNA targeting CENP-W gene to down-regulate the expression of CENP-W in U251cells, the changes of HIF-1a mRNA and protein levels were detected by RFQ-PCR and Western bloting, respectively. Results: The expression levels of HIF-1a and CENP-W in glioma tissues were significantly higher than those in normal brain tissues (P < 0.05). The expression levels of these two proteins were positively correlated with the pathological grade of glioma (P < 0.05). There was a positive correlation between the expression levels of HIF-1a and CENP-W (r = 0.709, P < 0.05). After the inhibition of HIF-1α protein degradation by cobalt dichloride, the mRNA and protein expressions of HIF-1a and CENP-W were significantly up-regulated in glioma U251cells (P < 0.01). The expressions of CENP-W mRNA and protein were down-regulated when the expression of HIF-1a in U251cells was suppressed by siRNA targeting HIF-1α gene (P < 0.01). But the expression levels of HIF-1a mRNA and protein had no changes in U251cells when the expression of CENP-W was suppressed by siRNA targeting CENP-W gene (P >0.05). Conclusion: Both of HIF-1α and CENP-W expressions are positively correlated with the pathological grade of glioma. HIF-1α can regulate the expression of CENP-W.

BACKGROUNDPrevious studies have noted that there is a high utilization rate of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) services in Taiwan, China and in western countries, but few studies investigated factors associated with the utilization of TCM in Taiwan. This study analyzes the utilization rate and the factors associated with the utilization of TCM in Taiwan.

METHODSData for this study were from the 2002 HPKAP Survey that conducted the face-to-face questionnaire interviews of people aged 15 years and over from October 2002 to March 2003 in Taiwan. This study analyzed the utilization of TCM outpatient services, including admission to the hospital and clinic visits.

RESULTSA total of 26 755 participants completed the survey in the six-month period. The data revealed that 10.4% of participants had utilized TCM services in the past one month while 4.2% of participants utilized TCM only (without using Western medicine outpatient services (WM) or Folk therapy (FT)). The average visits of TCM services per patient was higher among people who had utilized TCM and FT services (2.68 visits) than among those who had utilized WM and FT services (2.15 visits) or TCM services alone (2.15 visits) during the previous one month. Younger people (odds ratio OR = 1.78, 95% CI = 1.47 - 2.16), women (compared with men), and people with higher education levels (OR = 1.58, 95% CI = 1.25 - 1.98) were more likely to visit TCM than compared groups. People with self-reported poor health status (OR = 2.07, 95% CI = 1.76 - 2.44) and people who exercise regularly (OR = 1.17, 95% CI = 1.07 - 1.27) had higher ORs to visit TCM service than comparison group.

CONCLUSIONSThere is a high utilization of TCM in Taiwan. Further studies are needed to investigate the related factors and determinants between the utilization of TCM and the utilization of FT in Taiwan.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; utilization ; Middle Aged ; Taiwan

Acute Disease ; Adult ; Altitude Sickness ; blood ; enzymology ; Glutathione ; blood ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; blood ; Humans ; Lipid Peroxidation ; Male ; Military Personnel ; Nitric Oxide ; blood ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; blood ; Oxidoreductases ; metabolism ; Superoxide Dismutase ; blood

INTRODUCTIONThe purpose of this study was to explore whether diabetes mellitus (DM) correlates with the risk of kidney cancer in Taiwan.

MATERIALS AND METHODSWe designed a population-based case-control study from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Database, which consisted of 116 patients with newly diagnosed kidney cancer as cases and 464 subjects without kidney cancer as controls in 2000 to 2009. Both cases and controls were aged ≥20 years. Baseline comorbidities were compared between kidney cancer cases and controls.

RESULTSMultivariable analysis showed no association was detected between DM and kidney cancer (OR 1.06, 95% CI, 0.58 to 1.94). Hypertension (OR 2.05, 95% CI, 1.23 to 3.42), chronic kidney diseases (OR 2.57, 95% CI, 1.23 to 5.37), cystic kidney diseases (OR 18.6, 95% CI, 1.84 to 187.6) and kidney stones (OR 4.02, 95% CI, 2.43 to 6.66) were significant comorbidities associated with increased risk of kidney cancer. Use of alpha-glucosidase inhibitor was associated with increased risk of kidney cancer (OR 4.31, 95% CI, 1.07 to 17.3).

CONCLUSIONDM does not correlate with the risk of kidney cancer. Hypertension, chronic kidney diseases, cystic kidney diseases, kidney stones and use of alpha-glucosidase inhibitors are associated with kidney cancer.

Carcinoma, Renal Cell ; etiology ; Case-Control Studies ; Diabetes Complications ; Female ; Humans ; Hypoglycemic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Kidney Neoplasms ; etiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Risk Factors

Objective To evaluate the enhanced magnification endoscopy in the diagnosis of Barrett esophagus,and to explore the relationship between mucosal surface patterns and pathological epithelial types of Barrett esophagus.Methods Enhanced magnification endoscopy was performed 'after spraying 2%-3% acetic acid on the surface of distal esophagus in 40 Barrett esophagus patients.Mucosal specimen were biop- syed.Results According to the mucosal types of Toyoda in 2003,there were three mucosal types:Ⅰ dot pat- tern 7(17.5%),5 of 7(71.4%)fundie type,Ⅱ reticular pattern 24(60.0%),16 of 24(66.7%)fundic type,Ⅲ cerebroid/villous 9(22.5%),intestinal metaplasia or dysplasia.Conclusion Enhanced magnifi- cation endoscopy helps to identify areas with intestinal metaplasia and dysplasia,and is useful in the diagno- sis of Barrett esophagus.

OBJECTIVE: We hypothesized that DNA methylation of development-related genes may occur in endometrial cancer (EC)/ovarian cancer (OC) and may be detected in cervical scrapings. METHODS: We tested methylation status by quantitative methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction for 14 genes in DNA pools of endometrial and OC tissues. Tissues of EC/normal endometrium, OC/normal ovary, were verified in training set using cervical scrapings of 10 EC/10 OC patients and 10 controls, and further validated in the testing set using independent cervical scrapings in 30 EC/30 OC patients and 30 controls. We generated cutoff values of methylation index (M-index) from cervical scrapings to distinguish between cancer patients and control. Sensitivity/specificity of DNA methylation biomarkers in detecting EC and OC was calculated. RESULTS: Of 14 genes, 4 (PTGDR, HS3ST2, POU4F3, MAGI2) showed hypermethylation in EC and OC tissues, and were verified in training set. POU4F3 and MAGI2 exhibited hypermethylation in training set were validated in independent cases. The mean M-index of POU4F3 is 78.28 in EC and 20.36 in OC, which are higher than that in controls (6.59; p<0.001 and p=0.100, respectively), and that of MAGI2 is 246.0 in EC and 12.2 in OC, which is significantly higher that than in controls (2.85; p<0.001 and p=0.480, respectively). Sensitivity and specificity of POU4F3/MAGI2 were 83%–90% and 69%–75% for detection of EC, and 61% and 62%–69% for the detection of OC. CONCLUSION: The findings demonstrate the potential of EC/OC detection through testing for DNA methylation in cervical scrapings.
Biomarkers ; DNA Methylation ; DNA ; Endometrial Neoplasms ; Endometrium ; Female ; Humans ; Methylation ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; Ovary ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sensitivity and Specificity

OBJECTIVE: We wanted to report on our experience with modified radiology-guided percutaneous gastrostomy (MRPG) without endoscopic or nasogastric access for treating patients with complete obstruction of the upper digestive tract. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fourteen oncology patients (13 had hypopharyngeal cancer and 1 had upper esophageal cancer) with complete obstruction of the upper digestive tract were recruited. Conventional percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) and radiologic (fluoroscopy-guided) percutaneous gastrostomy (RPG) were not feasible in all the patients. An MRPG technique (with a combination of ultrasound, an air enema and fluoroscopic guidance) was performed in these patients. RESULTS: We achieved successfully percutaneous gastrostomy using the modified technique in all patients without any major or minor complications after the procedure. CONCLUSION: A modified radiology-guided percutaneous gastrostomy technique can be safely performed in patients who failed to receive conventional PEG or RPG due to the absence of nasogastric access in the completely obstructed upper digestive tract.
Adult ; Aged ; Conscious Sedation ; Contrast Media/diagnostic use ; Esophageal Neoplasms/radiography/*surgery ; Female ; Gastrostomy/*methods ; Humans ; Intestinal Obstruction/radiography/*surgery ; Iothalamate Meglumine/diagnostic use ; Laryngeal Neoplasms/radiography/*surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Radiography, Interventional ; Retrospective Studies ; Upper Gastrointestinal Tract/radiography/*surgery

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between heat stress proteins 70 (HSPs70) gene polymorphism and the risk of acute mountain sickness.

METHODSFifty-six soldiers with acute mountain sickness and 173 soldiers without that were chosen as cases and controls. HSP70-1, HSP70-2 genotypes were analyzed by using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) technique.

RESULTSThe HSP70-1 polymorphism was similar in two groups. The genotype frequency of HSP70-2 B/B in acute mountain sickness group (23.2%) was significantly higher than that in the control (6.9%, P < 0.05, OR = 4.02).

CONCLUSIONThere is a significantly increased association of HSP70-2 B/B genotype with the risk of acute mountain sickness. Individuals with HSP70-2 B/B genotype may have weaker adaptive ability than those without this genotype under altitude stress. The results contribute to provide scientific bases for finding these individuals in specified occupational people, ensuring their health and enhancing work efficiency.

Acute Disease ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Altitude ; Altitude Sickness ; epidemiology ; genetics ; Genotype ; HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins ; genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo explore the relationship between genetic polymorphisms of glutathione S-transferase (GST) M1, T1 and susceptibility to mountain sickness.

METHODSForty-three soldiers with acute mountain sickness and 80 healthy soldiers matching with sex/age and training under the same condition were divided into case group and control group. A multiple polymerase chain reaction method was used to detect GSTM1 and GSTT1 genes in genomic DNA isolated from peripheral blood cells from both cases and controls.

RESULTSThe frequency of the GSTT1 positive genotype was significantly higher in cases (69.8%) than in controls (42.5%) (P = 0.004, OR = 3.12, 95% CI 1.42 approximately 6.86). The frequency of GSTM1 negative genotype was also higher in cases (72.1%) than in controls (52.5%) (P = 0.03, OR = 2.34, 95% CI 1.05 approximately 5.02). Persons with both GSTM1 and GSTT1 negative genotypes had 5-fold more risk than those with GSTT1 negative and GSTM1 positive genotypes in developing mountain sickness (OR = 5.04, 95% CI: 1.00 approximately 25.3).

CONCLUSIONGenetic polymorphisms of glutathione S-transferase M1, T1 may be the risk factors in the development of mountain sickness.

Acute Disease ; Adult ; Altitude Sickness ; genetics ; Case-Control Studies ; Gene Frequency ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Genotype ; Glutathione Transferase ; genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Risk Factors

Objective To evaluate the bias of creatinine testing by external quality assessment (EQA) and analyze the effects of calibration on the bias of tested values using Jaffe assay.Methods The EQA data from The Clinical Laboratory Centre of Chongqing City were utilized to investigate the frozen pooled-human serum in which the value of creatinine was determined by reference method.The differences between Jaffe assay and creatine oxidase method were analyzed and the bias was evaluated.After the routine measurement systems were calibrated using the frozen pooled-human sera with double levels,the EQA samples were tested.Results The number of the laboratories using Jaffe method for creatinine measurement reduced significantly in Chongqing from 2012 to 2016.The robust average values of Jaffe assay were different from enzymatic assay significantly and the difference of the values were correlated with the concentration of creatinine (r =0.774 6).The results of the investigation using frozen pooled human serum and the trueness verification program of National Center for Clinical Laboratories indicated the positive bias of Jaffe assay was observed in low levels of creatinine with maximum of 10.39％ and 13.31％ and the bias correlated with the concentration of creatinine (r =0.988 9),by contrast the bias was low in enzymatic assay with maximum of 1.04％ and 1.49％ only.After the measurement systems were calibrated by frozen pooled human sera with double-levels,the positive bias of Jaffe assay in the low concentration of creatinine could be corrected.Conclusion There may be a positive bias of Jaffe assay for the samples with low concentration of creatinine,which could be corrected by using the calibrators with double-levels.