OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and its association with the prognosis of postoperative patients.

METHODSSurgical specimens were obtained from 102 patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma undergoing radical resection in our hospital from 1996 to 2006. Immunochemistry was employed to examine EZH2 protein expressions in the specimens, including 102 carcinoma tissue specimens, 30 adjacent tissue specimens and 30 normal esophageal tissue specimens. The expression levels of EZH2 were analyzed in relation to the clinicopathological parameters of the patients including gender, age, tumor differentiation, TNM, and lymph node metastasis. The postoperative patients were followed up to analyze the association of EZH2 expression with the clinical outcomes.

RESULTSThe esophageal squamous cell carcinoma tissue showed a higher EZH2 expression than the adjacent and normal esophageal tissues. EZH2 expression was higher in poorly differentiated carcinoma than in well differentiated tissue, and also higher in cases with lymph node metastasis than those without; the expression was higher in TNM stage II/III patients than in stage I patients but lower than in stage IV patients. The patients with low EZH2 expression was found to have a longer survival time than those with high EZH2 expression (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONEZH2 plays an important role in the differentiation and metastasis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, and a high EZH2 expression is associated with a poor outcome in the the postoperative patients.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 Protein ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; Humans ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 ; metabolism ; Postoperative Period ; Prognosis

This paper introduced an experimental study of the preparation of polylacticacid (PLA) nanoparticles of cucurbitacin (CuC) using a precipitation method. The residual acetone, ratio of CuC PLA precipitates, and the relationships between the ratios of two precipitates and drug incorporation rates were measured. It appeared that the nanoparticles with 60% of PLA incorporated with 5.5% of CuC were formed when acetone was injected into the aqueous phase. As the acetone gradually evaporated, drug incorporation/encapsulation continued, with most of CuC (about 70%) formed new crystalline cores and suspended in the form of microcrystals in the medium, resulting a suspension containing both nanoparticles and microcrystals. We also concluded that this system may not necessarily be suitable for all lipophilic drugs to be prepared to PLA nanoparticles with good incorporation rate. The drug incorporation depended on the interactions among drug, PLA, and organic solvents, in addition to the solubility of the drug.
Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; administration & dosage ; Chemical Precipitation ; Cucurbitaceae ; chemistry ; Cucurbitacins ; Delayed-Action Preparations ; Drug Compounding ; methods ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Lactic Acid ; Microspheres ; Nanotechnology ; Particle Size ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Polyesters ; Polymers ; Triterpenes ; administration & dosage ; isolation & purification

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and its association with the prognosis of postoperative patients.

METHODSSurgical specimens were obtained from 102 patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma undergoing radical resection in our hospital from 1996 to 2006. Immunochemistry was employed to examine EZH2 protein expressions in the specimens, including 102 carcinoma tissue specimens, 30 adjacent tissue specimens and 30 normal esophageal tissue specimens. The expression levels of EZH2 were analyzed in relation to the clinicopathological parameters of the patients including gender, age, tumor differentiation, TNM, and lymph node metastasis. The postoperative patients were followed up to analyze the association of EZH2 expression with the clinical outcomes.

RESULTSThe esophageal squamous cell carcinoma tissue showed a higher EZH2 expression than the adjacent and normal esophageal tissues. EZH2 expression was higher in poorly differentiated carcinoma than in well differentiated tissue, and also higher in cases with lymph node metastasis than those without; the expression was higher in TNM stage II/III patients than in stage I patients but lower than in stage IV patients. The patients with low EZH2 expression was found to have a longer survival time than those with high EZH2 expression (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONEZH2 plays an important role in the differentiation and metastasis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, and a high EZH2 expression is associated with a poor outcome in the the postoperative patients.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; pathology ; Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 Protein ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 ; metabolism ; Prognosis

The megakaryocyte and platelet lineage may be one of the major sites of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection. However, whether HCMV aggravates apoptosis in normal megakaryocytes was not well investigated. Megakaryocytic cell line CHRF-288-11 and HCMV AD 169 strain were co-cultured in this study. PCR was used to detect the direct infection of the cells by HCMV IEA expression. The apoptotic cells were analyzed by morphologic observation, DNA ladder formation, annexin V/PI and PI assay with flow cytometry. The results showed that HCMV significantly inhibited the growth of CHRF cells in three different concentrations of viral infection groups (10(-3), 10(-2), 10(-1)). The viability levels in each infection groups were 77%, 73% and 68% respectively after incubation for 7 days, compared with 98% in the control group. Using annexin V/PI with flow cytometry, it was shown that the percentages of apoptotic cells viral infection in groups (10(-3), 10(-2), 10(-1)) were (21.3 +/- 2.49)%, (25.8 +/- 3.65)% and (31.4 +/- 3.91)% at 7 days after infection, while the control was (3.68 +/- 1.47)%. The apoptotic cells were further confirmed by morphologic observation and DNA ladder formation. Furthermore, PCR detection also showed the direct infection by identification of HCMV IEA expression in CHRF cells. This study suggested that HCMV could directly infect megakaryocytes and aggravated apoptosis in HCMV-infected megakaryocytes.
Apoptosis ; Cell Survival ; Cells, Cultured ; Cytomegalovirus ; pathogenicity ; DNA, Viral ; analysis ; Humans ; Megakaryocytes ; cytology ; virology ; Polymerase Chain Reaction

OBJECTIVETo analyze the associated risk factors, clinical characteristics and laboratory abnormalities of type 2 diabetes patients with fatty liver.

METHODSThe data of type 2 diabetes cases with fatty liver were collected in our hospital. 63 cases of type 2 diabetes without fatty liver were selected randomly as control during the same period. The associated variables were analyzed by using logistic regression model. The clinical data and liver function were compared between two groups.

RESULTSThe proportion of obesity and hyperlipidemia was higher in type 2 diabetes patients with fatty liver than without fatty liver. Body mass index (BMI) (OR: 4.392) was positive correlation to fatty liver in the patients with type 2 diabetes. In contrast, insulin sensitivity index (ISI) (OR: 0.000) and regular insulin treatment (OR: 0.058) were negative correlation to it. The abnormal frequencies of aspartate aminotransferase (AST, 16.0%), alanine aminotransferase (ALT, 25.2%), the ratio of AST/ALT less than 1 (52.8%) and gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT, 31.9%) of type 2 diabetes patients with fatty liver were significantly higher than those without fatty liver (3.2%, 6.4%, 36.5% and 11.1% respectively).

CONCLUSIONObesity and insulin resistance might increase the risk of fatty liver in the patients with type 2 diabetes. Patients of type 2 diabetes with fatty liver show higher serum lipid level and more obvious damages of liver function than those without fatty liver

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; blood ; complications ; Fatty Liver ; blood ; etiology ; Female ; Humans ; Hyperlipidemias ; blood ; complications ; Insulin Resistance ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Obesity ; blood ; complications ; Risk Factors

ObjectiveTo investigate the tendency， characteristic and risk factors of twin pregnancy complicated with preeclampsia. MethodsA retrospective analysis was performed on the incidence trend of preeclampsia in 1542 twin pregnant women who were hospitalized for delivery in the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from January 2011 to December 2019. Finally， 1384 twin pregnant women were included in the analysis of subsequent morbidity characteristics and risk factors， who were divided into Monochorionic （MC） group and Dichorionic （DC） group according to chorionicity. There were 403 MC cases， including 55 cases in Preeclampsia （PE） group and 348 cases in non-PE group and 981 DC cases， including 105 cases in PE group and 876 cases in non-PE group. The basic characteristics and delivery outcomes of different chorionic pregnant women in PE group and non-PE group were compared respectively. Univariate analysis and multivariate Logistic regression analysis were used to analyze the risk factors of preeclampsia in different chorionic twin pregnancies. ResultsThe total incidence of PE in twin pregnancies was 10.4%， the incidence of PE in twin pregnancies from 2011 to 2019 varied between 7.8% and 11.8%. Regardless of MC and DC twin pregnancies， the incidence of anemia （MC： 58.2% vs 39.7%， P=0.010； DC： 59% vs 38%， P=0.000）， hypoproteinemia （MC： 7.3% vs 1.7%，P=0.035； DC： 10.5% vs 0.7%， P=0.000）， premature delivery （MC： 94.5% vs 70.1%， P=0.000； DC： 89.5% vs 54.8%， P=0.000）， postpartum hemorrhage （MC： 21.8% vs 10.6%， P=0.018； DC： 20.9% vs 13.4%， P=0.035）， neonatal transfer to intensive care unit （MC： 49.1% vs 28.6%， P=0.000； DC： 26.7% vs 15.6%， P=0.000） in pregnant women in PE group was higher than that in non-PE group， the difference between the two groups were statistically significant. the birth weight of both small fetuses and large fetuses in PE group of DC twins was lower than that in the non-PE group， the difference between these two groups were also statistically significant（P=0.000； P=0.017）. Excessive weight gain during pregnancy and assisted reproductive technology for conception were independent risk factors for MC twin PE. Pre-pregnancy BMI≥24 kg/m²， excessive weight gain during pregnancy and excessive weight difference were independent risk factors for PE in DC twins. ConclusionsThe incidence of PE in twin pregnancies fluctuates between 7.8% and 11.8% in each year. The outcomes of PE in different chorionic twin pregnancy are slightly different. Excessive weight gain during pregnancy， assisted reproductive technology for conception， Pre-pregnancy BMI≥24 kg/m² and excessive weight difference of the twins during pregnancy are risk factors for PE in twin pregnancies， suggesting weight management during pregnancy is particularly important.

ObjectiveTo analyze the characteristics of the pattern of inhalant and food allergens in patients with allergic rhinitis （AR） by gender in Guangzhou. MethodsBy collecting the results of serum allergen specific IgE （sIgE） test of 7 284 suspected AR patients visiting the ENT outpatient in the Third Hospital of SunYat-sen University from 2016 to 2020. The characteristics of the pattern of inhalant and food allergens in definite AR patients， especially the gender difference in allergen pattern， was compared. ResultsA total of 5 980 patients were confirmed as AR with a 82.10% positive rate （95%CI=81.22%， 82.98%） in allergen serum sIgE test. The mean age of male patients was 19.01±13.17 vs. 23.67±13.40 in female. The mean age of female patients was older than that of the male patients （P<0.001）. Compared with the female patients， the positive rate was higher in the male AR patients （83.35% vs. 80.61%， P<0.05）. The common inhalant allergens in Guangzhou were house dust mites （78.93%）， house dust （17.71%） and mold groups （17.16%）， and milk （20.45%）， cashew nut （20.35%） and crab （18.28%） were the common food allergens. The positive rates of house dust mites and dog dander were higher in males than those in females （all of P<0.05）， while the positive rate of mold groups was higher in females than that in males （P<0.001）. The positive rates of egg， milk， shrimp， beef， crab and cashew nut were higher in male patients than those of the female patients （all of P<0.05）. In minor group， the positive rate of inhalant allergen serum sIgE was higher in males （93.25%） than that in females （90.25%， P<0.05）， while the positive rate of food allergen serum sIgE was higher in adult male patients （54.66%） than that in the adult female patients （49.23%， P=0.002）. ConclusionsThere exist significant difference by gender in the positive rates of allergen among house dust mites， mold groups， dog dander， egg， milk， shrimp， beef， crab and cashew nut. Adult male AR patients seem to be more vulnerable to suffering from food allergy， suggesting the importance of the precise management for AR patients involving the gender characteristics.

【Objective】 To investigate the role of CFTR in visceral preadipocyte proliferation and differentiation.【Method】Primary preadipocytes were separated from visceral adipose tissue of the 4-week-old and 8-week-old CFTR-KO mice and age-matched littermates. Quantitative real time -PCR assay were used to measure the expression of proliferative and differentiation key transcriptional factors in visceral preadipocytes. An in vitro dexamethasone-methylisobutylxanthine- insulin（DMI）induced 3T3-L1 preadipocytes differentiation model was used. Western blot assay was used to measure the change of CFTR and key differentiation transcriptional factors. After knockdown or overexpression of CFTR，western blot， quantitative real time-PCR，MTT assay and Oil red O staining were used to measure the effects of CFTR on 3T3-L1 cells proliferation and differentiation. A mouse model of obesity with high-fat diet was used. Quantitative real time -PCR assay were used to measure the mRNA levels of proliferative and differentiation key transcriptional factors and CFTR in visceral preadipocytes.【Results】CFTR- KO mice displayed a decline in preadipocyte proliferation and differentiation，including Pref-1，CyclinD1，PPAR γ，and C/EBP α（P<0.05）. In vitro，DMI caused significant increases in CFTR expression in the early phase of differentiation （P<0.05）. DMI- stimulated preadipocyte transcriptional factors reflecting proliferative differentiation（C/EBPβ，C/EBP δ，CREB，and KLF4）and adipogenic differentiation（SREBP-1，PPAR γ，and C/EBP α） were markedly inhibited by knockdown，and reversed by overexpression of CFTR. CFTR is expressed in mouse visceral preadipocytes and increased with the enhanced preadipocyte proliferation and differentiation as evidenced by detecting key transcriptional factors including PPAR γ，C/EBP α，C/EBP β，C/EBP δ，SREBP-1 and FABP4 in mice fed with high- fat-diet for 2，4 weeks（P<0.05）.【Conclusions】These results demonstrate that CFTR may play a role in the preadipocyte proliferation and differentiation.

ObjectivesThis study aims to use accelerometer to objectively evaluate daily physical activity （PA） and steps of single pregnant women， and preliminarily explore the threshold of daily steps in line with the recommended PA during pregnancy， so as to provide PA guidance for pregnant women. MethodsWomen with singleton pregnancies who had prenatal examination in the the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from April 2018 to September 2019 continuously wore an accelerometer for 7 days for three times to measure daily PA. A total of 178 cases were included in this study with the average age 30.0 ± 3.0 years. Data were downloaded by supporting software， and the relationship between daily steps and PA （total PA， light PA and moderate PA） were analyzed by linear correlation analysis. Linear regression analysis and receiver operator characteristic curve （ROC） analysis were both used to explore the threshold steps corresponding to the physical activity recommendation. ResultsThere was no difference in daily total PA， light PA and sedentary behavior time during the three trimesters （P > 0.05）. But the moderate PA decreased with the pregnancy stages increased （25.1±16.1 vs. 23.6±16.5 vs. 21.5±16.1，min/d， P = 0.001）. There was a positive correlation between total PA and daily steps during the three trimesters （The correlation coefficients r of the early pregnancy， mid pregnancy and late pregnancy were 0.87， 0.83 and 0.86， respectively， P < 0.001）； and there was a positive correlation with light PA （r of the three trimesters were 0.79， 0.72 and 0.77， respectively， P < 0.001）. The relationship between moderate PA and daily steps during the three trimesters also had similar results （r of the three trimesters were 0.62， 0.53 and 0.55， respectively， P < 0.001）. The thresholds of daily steps to reach the recommended PA during pregnancy in the early， mid and late pregnancy were 10 925 steps， 11 372 steps and 11 170 steps， respectively. According to ROC analysis， the thresholds of daily steps in the three trimesters were 10 856 steps， 10 480 steps and 9 819 steps， respectively， and the areas under the curve were 0.81， 0.73 and 0.74， respectively （P < 0.001）. ConclusionsThe daily physical activity is mainly walking during pregnancy. Based on accelerometer evaluation， daily walking 9 800 to 11 500 steps could reach the physical activity recommendation during pregnancy.

To investigate the epidemiology of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) and the genetic characteristics of enterovirus A71 (EV-A71) in Linyi of Shandong Province, China during 2007-2012. The number of reported HFMD cases were obtained from the National Notifiable Disease Reporting System (NNDRS) were analyzed by descriptive epidemiology method; the VP1 region of EV-A71 isolated from HFMD patients in Linyi was amplified and sequenced. Finally, the genetic variability and phylogenecity of VP1 sequences of EV-A71 were analyzed by MEGA 5.0. The results showed that HFMD incidence was reported in each year from 2007 to 2012 in Linyi, and the highest incidence and mortality were reported in 2009, when there were total 14697 cases and 9 of death. The reported incidence was 140.28/100000, and the mortality was 0.086/100000. The peak incidence usually occurred between April and July, and the summit occurred in May. Scattered children accounted for 77.37%-92.00% of all cases. The peak age was 2.5 years during 2007-2009 and 1.5 years during 2010-2012. A total of 1365 laboratory-confirmed HFMD cases were reported in the 6 consecutive years, accounting for 2.98% of the gross number. Among these reports, the ratio of EV-A71 was 44.18%, and the ratio of coxsackievirus A16 (CVA16) was 46.59%. All EV-A71 strains isolated in Linyi during 2007-2012 belonged to the C4a evolutionary branch of C4 genotype. In conclusion, HFMD outbreaks occurred every year in Linyi during 2007-2012. Incidence varied significantly among different counties. The peak incidence in each year lasted from April to July. Most of the patients were children under 3 years of age, and scattered children took the highest proportion. Co-circulation of EV-A71 and CVA16 was the major cause of HFMD in each year. Since the first report of HFMD prevalence caused by EV-A71 (C4a) in 2007, the virus has been prevalent continuously in Linyi for 6 years.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Enterovirus ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Female ; Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease ; epidemiology ; virology ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phylogeny ; Young Adult