OBJECTIVETo investigate the level of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) in patients with medicament-like dermatitis by trichloroethylene (DMLT).

METHODSUsing radioimmunoassay methods, serum TNF-alpha, EGF were measured in 39 patients with DMLT and in 20 controls.

RESULTSThe levels of serum TNF-alpha, EGF in patients with DMLT [(0.278 +/- 0.092) ng/L, (6.71 +/- 2.28) microg/L, respectively] were significantly higher than those of the controls [(0.128 +/- 0.029) ng/L, (4.31 +/- 1.13) microg/L respectively, P<0.05, P<0.01].

CONCLUSIONThe increased levels of serum TNF-alpha, EGF in patients with DMLT may be related to the following causes: (1) Trichloroethylene and its metabolite may irritate the macrophagocyte and monocyte in human body to release TNF-alpha into blood stream; (2) Severe damage of epithelial tissue in patients with DMLT may promote more EGF synthesis to accelerate the regeneration and repair of epithelial tissue.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Drug Eruptions ; blood ; Epidermal Growth Factor ; blood ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor ; analysis ; Trichloroethylene ; toxicity ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; analysis

Non-small cell lung cancer is one of the leading causes of all cancer deaths, but despite years of research, it is still difficult to predict the response and clinical outcome of the disease. In recent years, new treatment strategies targeting the epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFR) have been developed. EGFR is one of the most frequently over expressed proteins in various cancers, including lung cancer, and signaling through this receptor has been known to cause tumor progression as well as resistance to different treatments. Therefore, EGFR has become an attractive target for various treatment strategies. However, it is important to note that not all patients with lung cancer are suitable for targeted treatment, and that patients should be selected for this treatment. Several studies have proven that the status of the EGFR can be both an indicator of suitability for treatment with, and predict the likelihood of response to EGFR targeted therapy. There are many standard techniques to be used for the detection of EGFR. This overview summarizes the ongoing and future investigations to determine the status of the EGFR.
Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; blood ; metabolism ; Humans ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor ; blood ; metabolism

Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Epidermal Growth Factor ; analysis ; Female ; Ischemia ; physiopathology ; Kidney ; embryology ; metabolism ; Models, Animal ; Pregnancy ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor ; analysis ; Uterus ; blood supply

OBJECTIVETo investigate the epidermal growth factor(EGF) and epidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR) expression in atrophic gastritis in rats to explore the relationship between EGF and chronic atrophic gastritis(CAG).

METHODSThe serum EGF and gastric mucosal, EGFR level were measured in 20 rats with CAG and 20 normal controls.

RESULTSThe average EGF level (0.149+/-0.020) microg/L and 80% positive rate of EGFR expression observed in CAG group were significantly higher than those in control group[(0.043+/-0.003) microg/L and 0%,P<0.01].

CONCLUSIONThe study demonstrates an association of high levels of EGF and positive EGFR expression in CAG rats. Further studies are necessary to clarify whether EGF/EGFR play a significant role in the pathogenesis of CAG.

Animals ; Epidermal Growth Factor ; blood ; physiology ; Gastric Mucosa ; chemistry ; Gastritis, Atrophic ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor ; analysis ; physiology

We analyzed circulating soluble epidermal growth factor receptor (sEGFR) levels in humans. Serum sEGFR levels were higher in subjects with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus compared with controls. Serum sEGFR was positively correlated with glycosylated hemoglobin and serum glucose and negatively correlated with serum insulin and C-peptide levels.
Biological Assay ; Blood Glucose ; C-Peptide ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2* ; Epidermal Growth Factor* ; Hemoglobin A, Glycosylated ; Humans ; Insulin ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor*

OBJECTIVETo investigate the changes in epidermal growth factor (EGF) concentrations in infants' serum and breast milk in neonates with late-onset breast milk jaundice after stopping breast feeding.

METHODSThirty full-term infants with late-onset breast milk jaundice were included in the study. Infants' serum and breast milk were collected before and 72 hours after stopping breast feeding, and the total bilirubin and EGF concentrations in infants' serum and EGF concentration in breast milk were measured respectively.

RESULTSAt 72 hours after stopping breast feeding, the total bilirubin and EGF concentrations in infants' serum were significantly decreased (P<0.05), but the EGF concentration in breast milk did not show significant change (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONSAfter stopping breast feeding, the neonates with late-onset breast milk jaundice show significant decreases in serum EGF concentration, but the EGF concentration in breast milk shows no significant change. The role and action mechanism of EGF in late-onset breast milk jaundice need further study.

Bilirubin ; blood ; Breast Feeding ; Epidermal Growth Factor ; analysis ; blood ; Female ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Jaundice, Neonatal ; etiology ; Male ; Milk, Human ; chemistry

AIMTo explore the changes of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expressions in cryptorchid children and their clinical significance.

METHODSThe level of serum EGF was measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA) and the expression of EGFR by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS(1) The level of serum EGF was significantly lower in cryptorchid children than in normal subjects at age group of 5-9 years (P<0.01) and 10-14 years (P<0.01), (2) The level of EGF was significantly lower in boys with impalpable testis than in those with extracanalicular and intracanalicular testes (P<0.01), (3) The serum EGF level increased significantly 6 months after orchiopexy (P<0.05), (4) The EGFR expression in testicular Leydig's cells was lower in 2 approximately 4 year-old boys than in those over 5 years (P<0.05) and (5) the EGFR expression was less positive in the impalpable group and the intracanalicular group than that of the extracanalicular group (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe EGF and EGFR expressions may correlate with the age and the position of testes; orchiopexy improves the EGF and EGFR expressions in cryptorchid boys.

Adolescent ; Aging ; Biomarkers ; analysis ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Cryptorchidism ; blood ; metabolism ; pathology ; Epidermal Growth Factor ; blood ; metabolism ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Leydig Cells ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor ; blood ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the pathologic change and molecular regulation in cell proliferation and apoptosis of gastric mucosa in rats with chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG), and evaluate the possible mechanisms.

METHODSRats were administered with 60% alcohol or 2% salicylate sodium, 20 mmol/L deoxycholate sodium and 0.1% ammonia water to establish chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) models. The gastric specimens were prepared for microscopic view with hematoxylin and eosin (H-E) and alcian blue (A-B) stain. The number of infiltrated inflammatory cells, the thickness of the mucosa gland layer (microm) and the number of gastric glands were calculated. The damage of barrier in mucosa with erosion or ulceration, and the thickness of mucin were examined by scanned electron microscope (SEM). The levels of PGE(2), EGF (epiderminal growth factor) and gastrin in the serum were measured with radioimmunoassay or ELISA method. The immunohistochemistry method was used to observe the number of G cells, the expression of protein of EGFR (EGF receptor), C-erbB-2, p53, p16 and bcl-2 in gastric tissue.

RESULTSUnder SEM observation, the gastric mucosa was diffused erosion or ulceration and the thickness of mucin was decreased. Compared with normal rats, the grade of inflammatory cell infiltration in CAG rats was elevated, whereas the thickness and number of gastric gland were significantly lower (P<0.05). Compared with normal level of (0.61+/-0.28) microg/L, EGF in CAG (2.24+/-0.83) microg/L was significantly higher (P<0.05). The levels of PGE(2) and gastrin in serum were significantly lower in CAG rats than that in normal rats (P<0.05). Immunohistochemistry detection showed that the number of G cell in antrum was lower in CAG group (P<0.05). Immuno-stain showed EGFR protein expression in the basal and bilateral membrane, and the cytoplasma in atrophic gastric gland, while negative expression was observed in normal gastric epithelial cells. Positive staining of p53 and p16 protein was localized in the nucleus of epithelial cells. The former was higher positively expressed in atrophic gland, while the later was higher positively stained in normal gastric tissue. bcl-2 protein was positively stained in the cytoplasma in atrophic gastric gland, while very weakly stained in normal gastric tissue.

CONCLUSIONThe pathological findings in gastric gland accorded with the Houston diagnostic criteria of antrum-predominant CAG. CAG in rats was related with the damage of barrier in gastric mucosa and the misbalance of cell proliferation and apoptosis. There was high protein expression of oncogene, while inhibitor of suppressor gene in CAG rats indicated high trend of carcinogenesis.

Animals ; Chronic Disease ; Epidermal Growth Factor ; blood ; Gastric Mucosa ; chemistry ; pathology ; Gastrins ; blood ; Gastritis, Atrophic ; metabolism ; pathology ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; analysis ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor ; analysis ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo investigate effect of the serum concentration of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in the pre- and postoperative peripheral blood in patients with meningiomas.

METHODSUsing ELISA, the EGFR concentration were measured in the pre- and postoperative serum in 53 patients with meningiomas. In this study, the patients were divided into preoperative group, postoperative group (including 42 total resection, 11 subtotal resection), and 28 healthy control.

RESULTSIn 53 patients with meningiomas, concentration of preoperative serum EGFR was (352.93 +/- 66.18) fmol/ml, to show higher than control group (159.11 +/- 40.50) fmol/ml (P < 0.0001); Concentration of postoperative serum EGFR was (220.74 +/- 70.63) fmol/ml, to show lower than preoperative group (P < 0.001). Including in 42 patients with meningomas by total resection, serum EGFRs of the 38 patients were decreased (191.20 +/- 32.13) fmol/ml, the 4 patients with peritumoral edema were decreased (248.75 +/- 10.31) fmol/ml, to show lower than preoperative group (P < 0.001); the 11 patients with subtotal resection were decreased (322.14 +/- 89.53) fmol/ml, not to show different than preoperative group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSIn 92.16% patients with meningiomas, the more poison of the tumor is resected, the less the serum EGFR concentration is detected postoperatively, while the total resection of mangionmas resulted in a lowest level of EGFR. These results support the concept that human meningiomas may be autocrine EGFRs. The measurement of serum EGFR can be useful to patients with meningiomas for follow-up after surgery.

Adult ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; blood ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Meningeal Neoplasms ; blood ; Meningioma ; blood ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Period ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor ; blood

OBJECTIVETo probe the mechanism of electroacupuncture at points "Weibingfang" in treatment of acute gastric mucosal lesion.

METHODSForty Wistar rats of sanitary degree were randomly divided into 4 groups, normal group, model group, sham-model group and Weibingfang group, 10 rats in each group. The acute gastric mucosal lesion model was made by intragastric perfusion of anhydrous alcohol. The Weibingfang group were treated by electroacupuncture at "Neiguan" (PC 6), "Zhongwan" (CV 12) and "Zusanli" (ST 36) with sparse-dense wave, frequency of 10-30 Hz, current intensity of 2 mA, for 20 min. One hour after the treatment, the blood from the abdominal aorta and the gastric mucosa tissue were taken, and serum epidermal growth factor (EGF) level and epidermic growth factor receptor mRNA (EGFR mRNA) expression in the gastric mucosa were detected with enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) respectively.

RESULTSThere were significant differences in blood EGF level (41.62 +/- 12.58) ng/L and EGFR mRNA expression (0.78 +/- 0.03) in the model group were significantly different from [(60.37 +/- 12.01) ng/L and 0.55 +/- 0.04] in the normal group and [(61.21 +/- 13.46) ng/L and 0.53 +/- 0.05] in the sham-model group (P < 0.05); after electroacupuncture, blood EGF level (70.59 +/- 10.14) ng/L increased and the EGFR mRNA expression (1.18 +/- 0.02) in the gastric mucosa was up-regulated with a significant differences as compared with those in the model group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONPoint "Weibingfang" can promote proliferation, differentiation and migration of the gastric mucosal epidermic cells to repair the gastric mucosal lesion.

Acupuncture Points ; Animals ; Electroacupuncture ; Epidermal Growth Factor ; blood ; genetics ; Female ; Gastric Mucosa ; metabolism ; Gene Expression ; Humans ; Male ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor ; genetics ; metabolism ; Stomach Diseases ; genetics ; metabolism ; therapy