OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of zinc finger E-box binding homebox 1 (ZEB1) in the prepuce of hypospadias children and its relationship to the incidence of hypospadias.

METHODSPrepuce tissues were collected from 37 children aged 6-15 months undergoing hypospadias repair and 11 age-matched controls receiving circumcision. Based on the position of the urethral meatus, the hypospadias cases were classified as severe (n = 13) and mild-moderate (n = 24). The mRNA and protein expressions of ZEB1 were determined by immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR.

RESULTSThe expression of the ZEB1 protein was remarkably higher in the severe (100% [13/13]) and mild-moderate hypospadias patients (75.0% [18/24]) than in the controls (9.1% [1/11]), with statistically significant differences between any two groups (P < 0.05). RT-PCR showed the integrated density value (IDV) of the ZEB1 mRNA expression to be (0.67 ± 0.21), (0.81 ± 0.24), and (1.55 ± 0.29) in the control, mild-moderate, and severe hypospadias patients, respectively, significantly higher in the severe hypospadias than in the control and mild-moderate hypospadias groups (P < 0.05), but with no significant difference between the latter two (P = 0.64).

CONCLUSIONThe expression of ZEB1 is significantly increased in hypospadias patients, and its upregulation is positively correlated with the severity of hypospadias, which suggests that the overexpression of ZEB1 may contribute to the development of hypospadias.

Biomarkers ; metabolism ; Case-Control Studies ; Circumcision, Male ; Foreskin ; metabolism ; Homeodomain Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Hypospadias ; classification ; etiology ; metabolism ; Immunohistochemistry ; Infant ; Male ; Penis ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Transcription Factors ; genetics ; metabolism ; Up-Regulation ; Urethra ; Zinc Finger E-box-Binding Homeobox 1

AIM: To compare intraocular pressure (IOP) fluctuations measured at home and in the clinic over a 24-hour period.METHODS: A prospective investigational study.A total of 120 Chinese participants were selected from five communities in the Chengdu area.Patients underwent a clinical interview and IOP was measured both at home and in the clinic.IOP were measured at 8 a.m., 10 a.m., 12 a.m., 2 p.m., 4 p.m., 6 p.m., 8 p.m., 10 p.m., 2 a.m., 6 a.m.using the same pneumatonometer.Measurements were taken in the sitting position.RESULTS: The average 24-hour IOP measured in the clinic was slightly lower than that at home.The mean difference in 24-hour IOP measurements between home and clinic was 0.27 mmHg.The IOP fluctuation in the clinic was higher than at home (the mean difference was 0.01 mmHg).There was no statistically significant difference in the average 24-hour IOP measured at home vs in the clinic.The average IOP measured at 2 p.m.at home (16.04±5.95 mmHg) was significantly higher compared with the measurement in the clinic (15.43±5.16 mmHg) (P<0.05).The overall agreement between 24-hour IOP measurements made in the clinic and at home in diagnosis of primary open angle glaucoma was 85.0% (K coefficient: 0.68).CONCLUSION: The 24-hour IOP measured in the clinic was similar to that measured at home, and the method of measuring IOP in the clinic is acceptable in diagnosing primary open angle glaucoma.

Abstract: Objective To explore the dynamic characteristics of stigmatization in HIV/AIDS patients and provide scientific evidence for psychological care. Methods HIV/AIDS patients receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) treatment in Nanning Fourth People's Hospital were randomly selected for baseline and 1 year follow-up questionnaire survey including internalized HIV stigma, anticipated HIV stigma, exposure to HIV stigma. The differences between the two groups at different time points were dynamically compared to analyze the changing characteristics of stigma in HIV/AIDS patients. Results After one year of ART treatment, among the eight items of internalizing stigma, five items including the proportion of feeling ashamed of being infected with HIV/AIDS, feeling unclean because of being infected with HIV/AIDS, feeling inferior to others because of having HIV/AIDS, feeling guilty because of having HIV/AIDS, and having a poorer self-perception due to how others view HIV/AIDS decreased significantly from 34.0% to 43.5% at the baseline to 19.5% to 29.5%, showing significant improvement with statistical significance (χ2=18.586, 14.277, 10.473, 12.219, 9.934, P<0.05); among the nine items of anticipated stigma, four items including the proportion of community/community workers not taking my needs seriously, discriminating against me, refusing to provide services for me, and healthcare workers avoiding contact with me decreased significantly from 16.0% to 27.5% at the baseline to 7.0% to 15.5%, respectively, showing significant improvement with statistical significance (χ2=13.690, 15.787, 12.034, 12.593, P<0.05); among the 16 items of exposure to HIV stigma, six items including the proportion of experiencing physical attacks, psychological pressure from spouses/partners, being refused sexual relationships, losing jobs or other economic sources, being rejected or losing a job opportunity due to HIV/AIDS, changing job nature due to HIV/AIDS, or being refused medical services decreased significantly from 2.5% to 15.0% at the baseline to 1.0% to 8.0%, respectively, showing significant improvement with statistical significance (χ2=8.619, 15.558, 6.061, 9.049, 5.432, 8.156, P<0.05). Physical assaults on people with HIV/AIDS increased by 5.5 percent(χ2=5.368, P<0.05). Conclusions Through 1-year dynamic monitoring, 48.48% of the three dimensions of stigma of HIV/AIDS patients were alleviated. Treatment intervention, self-acceptance and the creation of a good non-discriminatory social environment have an important impact on the stigma of HIV/AIDS patients and deserve the attention of society as a whole.

Objective To examine the expression of MMP-2 gene and Survivin gene in subclinical microscopic tumor and its peripheral normal esophageal tissues,and study the radiation target in molecular level. Methods Esophageal squamous cancer and its peripheral tissue samples of 34 patients were cut into sequential sections.The expression of MMP-2 gene and Survivin gene then examined.The length of the peripheral esophageal tissue,positively expressing the two genes,was measured,and the relation among the experimental date,tumor stage and vertical length of tumor were analyzed. Results For tumor tissue,subclinical microscopic tumor and the peripheral differentiated normal tissue,the positive expression rate of MMP-2 was 85%,83%and 79%,respectively.The positive expression rate of Survivin was 76%,85%and 85%,respectively.The positive expression level of both MMP-2 and Survivin genes in subclinical microscopic tumor was significantly higher than that in the peripheral differentiated normal tissue(χ2=6.46,P=0.028 and χ2=16.15,P=0.001).The length was 17.2-70.4 mm and 15.0-82.4 mm of cancerous peripheral tissue with positive expression of MMP-2 gene upside and downside of the tumor.The length was＜70 mm in 97% of the samples.For Survivin gene.the length was 3.7-76.4 mm and 16.1-56.3 mm.and was＜70 mm in 96%of the samples.The length of cancerous peripheral esophageal tissue expressing the two genes increased significantly along with tumor stage or tumor length,and there was statistical correlation between the length of tumor and the positive expression ranges of Survivin gene. Conclusions Both MMP-2 gene and Survivin gene are positively expressed in esophageal cancerous peripheral tissue.The range positively expressing the two genes is＜70 mm in more than 96%of the samples,and the length is correlated with the tumor stage.More attention should be paid to the peripheral differentiated normal tissue with positive expression of MMP-2 gene and Survivin gene in esophageal squamous carcinoma.

Objective To study the effect of endotoxin tolerance (ETT) on chemokine receptor 7 (CXCR7) in the liver tissue of rats with acute liver failure (ALF).Methods SD male rats were randomly divided into three groups:normal group,ALF group and ETT group.The rats in the ETT group and ALF group were injected with lipopolysacharide (LPS) 0.1 mg/kg or saline respectively,one time / day for 5 days.At 24 hours after the 5th-day injection,all rats were injected with D-GalN 800 mg/kg and LPS 8μg/rat.Blood sample and liver tissue were collected on 2,6,12,24 and 48 hours after injection.The gene expressions of CXCR7 in the liver were measured by RT-PCR,and the protein expressions of CXCR7 were determined by Western Blot.The data analysis was performed by LSD,Dunnett's t test.Results The histological damage in the liver tissue was significantly mider in ETT group compared to ALF group.The gene expressions of CXCR7 were significantly milder in ETT group compared to ALF group (2 h:F =29.222,6 h:F=166.892,12 h:F=38.975,24h:F=34.603,48 h:F=18.929,allP＜0.01),but still severer than that of normal group.The CXCR7 protein expression in ALF group and ETT group peaked at 24 hours,but the expression of CXCR7 in ETT group was lower compared with that in in ALF group (2h:F=11.155,6 h:F=42.553,12h:F=17.082,all P＜0.01; 24 h:F=7.242,P＜0.05).Conclusions During the process of endotoxin tolerance,LPS pretreatment and D-GalN can decrease the liver injury,down-regulate the expressions of CXCR7mRNA and CXCR7.This suggests that CXCR7 may play an important role in the ETT.

Objective To investigate the mechanism of endotoxin tolerance (ETT) through observing the expression of OX40 in liver tissues of ETT rats.Methods SD male rats were randomly divided into three groups:normal group (n=6),acute liver failure (ALF) group (n=24) and ETT group (n=24).Lipopolysacharide (LPS) 0.1 mg/kg (ETT groups) or 0.9 ％NaC1 (ALF groups) was administered by five consecutive intraperitoneal injections at 24 h intervals,and at the sixth day,all animals were treated with intraperitoneal injections of D-galactosamine (D-GalN) 800 mg/kg and LPS 8 μg/rat.Blood and liver tissue were collected at 6,12,24 and 48 hours after the injection of D-GalN/LPS.The gene expression of OX40 in the liver was measured by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).The protein expression of OX40 was estimated by Western blot.The tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-6 levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).The data analysis was performed by one-way ANOVA,lease significant difference (LSD) and Dunnett's T3 test.Results The expressions of TNF α and IL-6 were both significantly lower in ETT group compared to ALF group,but still higher than that of control group.The gene expressions of OX40 peaked at 12 hours and decreased gradually in ALF group.The gene expressions of OX40 were significantly lower in ETT group compared to ALF group (6 h:F=5.027,24 h:F=5.539,48 h:F=5.011,all P＜0.05; 12 h:F=36.688; P＜0.01),but still higher than that of normal group.The tendency of OX40 protein expression in ALF group was peaked at 12 hours and decreased at 24 hours.In ETT group,the expression of OX40 was lower,and the difference between ETT group and ALF group had statistical significance (6 h:F=8.658,P＜0.05; 12 h:F=34.611,24 h:F=28.176,48 h:F=16.747; all P＜0.01).Conclusions The level of OX40 is increased in ALF group,while the expressions of OX40,TNF-α and IL-6 are lower in ETT group,which suggested that OX40 may play an important role in the process of ETT.

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of Lignum Sappan (LS) containing serum on the proliferation cycle arrest of human lung cancer cell line PG and its molecular mechanism.

METHODSThe lung cancer PG cells were divided into four groups, i.e., the blank control group, the LS group, the LS plus cisplatin group, and the cisplatin group. They were cultured by RPMI-1640 with 20% blank serum, RPMI-1640 with 20% LS containing serum, RPMI-1640 with 20% LS containing serum plus 1 microg/mL cisplatin, and RPMI-1640 with 20% blank serum plus 1 microg/mL cisplatin, respectively. The morphology of PG cells was observed using light microscope and laser scanning confocal microscope in each group. The cell cycle arrest was observed using flow cytometry. The expression of P16 and Rb1 mRNA was tested by PCR method.

RESULTSUnder the light microscope and laser scanning confocal microscope, the apoptosis degree of PG cells in the LS group was significant, but less than that of the LS plus cisplatin group as well as the cisplatin group. Compared with the blank control group, the proportion of PG cells increased at G0/ G1 and S phases (P < 0.05) and decreased at G2/M phase (P < 0.01) in the LS group; The proportion of PG cells increased at G2/M and S phases (P < 0.05, P < 0.01) and decreased at G0/G1 phase (P < 0.01) in the LS plus cisplatin group as well as the cisplatin group. Compared with the LS group, the proportion of PG cells increased at G2/M and S phases (P < 0.05, P < 0.01) and decreased at G0/G1 phase (P < 0.01) in the LS plus cisplatin group as well as the cisplatin group. There was no statistical difference in PG cells at each phase between the cisplatin group and the LS plus cisplatin group (P > 0.05). The expression of P16 and Rb1 mRNA increased in the LS group, when compared with the blank control group. They also increased in the cisplatin group and the LS plus cisplatin group, higher than that of the LS group (P < 0.05). There was no statistical difference in the expression of P16 and Rb1 mRNA between the cisplatin group and the LS plus cisplatin group (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONLS containing serum induced PG cell apoptosis by up-regulating the mRNA transcription levels of P16 and Rb1, thus resulting in PG cell arrest at G0/G1 and S phases, which was different from the manner of cisplatin (achieved by arresting PG cells at G2/M and S phases through regulating cyclinB1 mRNA transcription).

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Cycle ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cisplatin ; pharmacology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; pathology

Objective To investigate the effect of prolonged stroboscopic illumination exposure on the growth of eyeball of guinea pig. Methods Thirty 2-week-old guinea pigs were randomized into three groups ( n=10 for each) . Two strobe-reared groups were raised with 20 Hz sinusoidal and 20 Hz square wave stroboscopic illumination, respectively. The control group received usual light illumination. The illumination intensity was 500 lux. All animals underwent refraction and biometric measurements prior to and after 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks of treatment. Finally, flash electroretinograms were com-pared, and retinal microstructures were examined. Results There was a significant correlation between refractive errors and axial eye elongation, and myopia increasing was observed with eye elongation. After 8 weeks of treatment, the animals raised in 20 Hz sinusoidal and 20 Hz square wave stroboscopic illumination were (-0. 75 ± 0. 79)D and (-1. 50 ± 0. 91) D more myopic than the group raised in continuous illumination. The implicit time of the a-wave was delayed by 3. 8 and 7. 9 ms, respectively. No significant difference was found in retinal ultrastructures among the three groups. Conclusions Chronic exposure to 20 Hz sinusoidal or square wave stroboscopic illumination alters the emmetropization of the guinea pig eye to some extent.

Objective To compare prospectively the features and effects of combined operation(splenorenal shunt plus portal-azygous devascularization) and portal-azygous devascularization only(PCDV)on portal(hypertension)(PH).Methods We summarized 360 cases of PH admitted from 1984 to 2004.All patients were randomly divided into two groups,one was combined operative group(250 patients) and the other was PCDV group(110 patients).The therapeutic effects and changes of portal hemodynamics were studied with doppler flowmeter(DCFI),free portal pressure(FPP) and digital subtraction angiography(DSA) pre-and post-operatively,and were measured directly during the course of the procedure.Results(1)Postoperative bleeding:Of all the patients who underwent combined operation,no case of rebleeding occurred in the short period after operation,and the rebleeding rate was 8.0% in the long period of follow-up.In the patients who underwent PCDV,the rebleeding rate was 5.5% in the short period after operation,and 17.6% at long-term follow up(P0.05).(3)There was a significant decrease in the diameter of portal vein,and FPP postoperatively in the combined operation group compared to PCDV group.There was a significant decreases of PVF in the PCDV group.But the decrease of PVF in the two groups had no significant difference.Conclusions The combined procedure has merits of greater decrease of FPP,and alleviation of the condition of hyperdynamic blood flow in the portal vein.The clinical effect is also better than that of portal-azygous devascularization only.

OBJECTIVETo observe the clinical efficacy of transcutaneous acupoint electrical stimulation (TAES) combined intravenous injection and/or Neiguan (P6) injection with droperidol in preventing and treating post-operative nausea and vomiting (PONV) after thyroid tumor surgery.

METHODSRecruited were 120 female patients who underwent selective thyroid tumor surgery were randomly assigned to the control group, the TAES group, the IV group (intravenous injection of droperidol), and the P6 group [Neiguan point (P6) injection of droperidol], respectively, 30 cases in each group. Thirty min before anesthesia induction, 2 mL 0.9% normal saline injection was intravenously injected to those in the control group. Patients in the TAES group received TEAS at bilateral P6 points. 2.5 mg (1 mL) droperidol added in 1 mL 0.9 normal saline was intravenously injected to those in the IV group and injected at bilateral P6 points of those in the P6 group. The occurrence and severity of PONV were observed within 0 - 6 h and within 6 - 24 h after operation in each group.

RESULTSCompared with the control group, the incidence and the severity of PONV within 0 - 6 h and within 6 - 24 h after thyroid surgery were significantly reduced in the three treatment groups (P < 0.05). There was no statistical difference in the incidence or the severity of PONV among the TAES, IV and P6 groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSTEAS at P6 could dramatically reduce the occurrence and the severity of PONV after thyroid tumor surgery. Besides, it got equivalent effect to that by intravenous injecting droperidol or by injecting droperidol at P6.

Acupuncture Points ; Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting ; prevention & control ; Prospective Studies ; Single-Blind Method ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; surgery ; Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation