OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of chemokine receptor CXCR3 in patients with atopic dermatitis.

METHODSThe expression of CXCR3 mRNA was measured by fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and the relationship between CXCR3 mRNA expression and the disease severity (graded according to SCORAD index system) was assessed by correlation analysis.

RESULTSCXCR3 mRNA expression was significantly higher in patients with atopic dermatitis than in healthy control subjects (P7lt;0.01), and showed obvious positive correlation with SCORAD index system.

CONCLUSIONThese data suggest an important role of CXCR3 in the development and progression of atopic dermatitis.

Adolescent ; Case-Control Studies ; Child ; Dermatitis, Atopic ; genetics ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Humans ; Male ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Receptors, CXCR3 ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the methylation status of 5'CpG island of insulin-like growth factor binding protein-related protein 1 (IGFBP-rP1) in colorectal cancer and its relationship with gene expression and clinicopathologic parameters.

METHODSSemi-quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) was used to detect the expression of IGFBP-rP1 in 46 cases of colorectal cancer and their matched normal mucosa. Methylation-specific PCR (MSP) was applied to evaluate the methylation status of 5'CpG island of IGFBP-rP1. Colon cancer cell lines LoVo and SW620 were treated with demethylation agent 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5-aza-dC), followed by RT-PCR and MSP detection.

RESULTSAt the mRNA level, the expression of IGFBP-rP1 was higher in colorectal cancer tissue than that in the matched normal mucosa (P < 0.05). IGFBP-rP1 was methylated in 28/46 (60.9%) cases of colorectal cancer and 37/46 (80.4%) matched normal mucosa samples (P < 0.05). A negative correlation was found between IGFBP-rP1 expression and its methylation status. The expression of IGFBP-rP1 was restored in LoVo and SW620 after treatment with 5-aza-dC and MSP confirmation of its demethylation status. No relationships was found between the methylation status and clinicopathologic parameters.

CONCLUSIONSIGFBP-rP1 expression is negatively correlated with its methylation status in colorectal cancer. DNA methylation is one of the mechanisms regulating the expression of IGFBP-rP1. Hypomethylation of IGFBP-rP1 gene with its overexpression plays an important role in the initiation and development of colorectal cancer.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Azacitidine ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; genetics ; CpG Islands ; physiology ; DNA Methylation ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Proteins ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; trends ; Transcription, Genetic

OBJECTIVE: To explore a new method in order to extract DNA from bones and teeth automatically. METHODS: Samples of 33 bones and 15 teeth were acquired by freeze-mill method and manual method, respectively. DNA materials were extracted and quantified from the triturated samples by AutoMate Express forensic DNA extraction system. RESULTS: DNA extraction from bones and teeth were completed in 3 hours using the AutoMate Express forensic DNA extraction system. There was no statistical difference between the two methods in the DNA concentration of bones. Both bones and teeth got the good STR typing by freeze-mill method, and the DNA concentration of teeth was higher than those by manual method. CONCLUSION AutoMate Express forensic DNA extraction system is a new method to extract DNA from bones and teeth, which can be applied in forensic practice.
Automation ; Bone and Bones/chemistry* ; DNA/isolation & purification* ; DNA Fingerprinting/methods* ; Forensic Medicine/methods* ; Humans ; Microsatellite Repeats ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Specimen Handling/methods* ; Tooth/chemistry*

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of osteopontin (OPN) on the invasion and metastasis of human hapatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

METHODSHCC cell lines (HCC-LM3) were transfected with the chemically synthesized small interfering RNA (siRNA). Real-time PCR and Western blot were used to quantify the mRNA and OPN protein levels. The malignant phenotypes including cellular growth, colony formation and invasion capability of the HCC cells were analyzed.

RESULTSThe OPN mRNA and proteins levels were decreased by 75% and 80% in OPN siRNA treated cells. Colony formation and migratory capability were reduced in OPN siRNA treated cells (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe specific siRNA is able to reduce the OPN expression at both the mRNA and protein levels and significantly inhibits the invasiveness of HCC cells.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; prevention & control ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; prevention & control ; Osteopontin ; antagonists & inhibitors ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; Transfection

OBJECTIVEThis project aims to investigate the nutrition status of children aged from 6 to 23 months living in Beichuan and Lixian where were seriously affected by the earthquake in 2008.

METHODSThe height, body weight and hemoglobin concentration were measured for 478 children from Leigu township, Qushan township in Beichuan county and Zagunao township, Xuecheng township and Putou township in Lixian county; the number of group 6 - 11, 12 - 17, 18 - 23 months were 190, 144, 144 respectively. The height for age (HAZ), the body weight for age (WAZ) and the weight for height (WHZ) were calculated respectively. The low weight, stunting, wasting prevalence, anemic rate were analyzed.

RESULTSThe WAZ scores of 6 - 23 months males and females in Beichuan county and Lixian county ranged from -0.97 to -0.13 and from -0.67 to -0.23, HAZ scores ranged from -1.23 to -0.31 and from -1.25 to -0.38, respectively. The WAZ (-0.89 ± 1.16) and HAZ (-1.20 ± 1.60) of 18 - 23 months infants in Beichuan county were significantly different from the WAZ and HAZ of 6 - 11 months (WAZ: -0.32 ± 0.92; HAZ: -0.58 ± 0.98) and 12 - 17 months (WAZ: -0.47 ± 1.00; HAZ: -0.68 ± 1.34) infants (F values were 7.161 and 4.584, respectively; all P values < 0.05). The WAZ (-0.63 ± 1.03) and HAZ (-1.11 ± 1.15) of 18 - 23 months in Lixian county infants were significantly different from the WAZ and HAZ of 6 - 11 months (WAZ: -0.23 ± 0.93; HAZ: -0.51 ± 1.55) infants and 12 - 17 months (WAZ: -0.58 ± 0.52; HAZ: -0.80 ± 1.19) (F values were 3.156, 4.345, all P values < 0.05). The prevalence of low weight infants (18 - 23 months) these two counties were 15.6% (12/77) and 9.1% (6/66), respectively. The prevalence of stunting in Beichuan and Lixian have reached 26% (20/77) and 24.2% (16/66), respectively. The wasting rate of 18 - 23 months infants had reached 9.1% (7/77) in Beichuan. The total anemia prevalence among infants reached 49.6% (123/248) and 78.8% (178/226) in Beichuan and Lixian, respectively. The prevalence of moderate anemia have reached 7.7% (19/248) and 19.9% (45/226), respectively.

CONCLUSIONAfter the earthquake in Beichuan, Lixian, the growth of infants aged 6 to 23 months old was below average. The prevalence of anemia was high. The malnutrition status of infant and young children aged from 18 to 23 months in Beichuan and Lixian was more serious, should be targeted of nutrition interventions.

China ; epidemiology ; Disasters ; Earthquakes ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena ; Male ; Malnutrition ; epidemiology ; Nutritional Status

Background: To compare risk of diabetic retinopathy (DR) between patients taking sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2is) and those taking glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP1-RAs) in routine care. Methods: This retrospective cohort study emulating a target trial included patient data from the multi-institutional Chang Gung Research Database in Taiwan. Totally, 33,021 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus using SGLT2is and GLP1-RAs between 2016 and 2019 were identified. 3,249 patients were excluded due to missing demographics, age <40 years, prior use of any study drug, a diagnosis of retinal disorders, a history of receiving vitreoretinal procedure, no baseline glycosylated hemoglobin, or no follow-up data. Baseline characteristics were balanced using inverse probability of treatment weighting with propensity scores. DR diagnoses and vitreoretinal interventions served as the primary outcomes. Occurrence of proliferative DR and DR receiving vitreoretinal interventions were regarded as vision-threatening DR. Results: There were 21,491 SGLT2i and 1,887 GLP1-RA users included for the analysis. Patients receiving SGLT2is and GLP-1 RAs exhibited comparable rate of any DR (subdistribution hazard ratio [SHR], 0.90; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.79 to 1.03), whereas the rate of proliferative DR (SHR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.42 to 0.68) was significantly lower in the SGLT2i group. Also, SGLT2i users showed significantly reduced risk of composite surgical outcome (SHR, 0.58; 95% CI, 0.48 to 0.70). Conclusion Compared to those taking GLP1-RAs, patients receiving SGLT2is had a lower risk of proliferative DR and vitreoretinal interventions, although the rate of any DR was comparable between the SGLT2i and GLP1-RA groups. Thus, SGLT2is may be associated with a lower risk of vision-threatening DR but not DR development.

OBJECTIVETo establish a rat model of full-thickness skin defect to receive bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell transplantation for wound repair.

METHODSA full-thickness skin defect measuring 4 cmx4 cm in 36 F344 rats, which were divided into 3 groups with the wound covered with alloskin graft, acellular dermal matrix, or petrolatum gauze. In vitro cultured BMSCs in the 5th passage were transplanted into the skin defect, and the time of wound dressing dissociation and number of transplanted Brdu-positive cells in the wound were observed 14 days later.

RESULTSThe alloskin graft resulted in significantly longer time before dressing dissociation, with greater number of Brdu-positive cells in the wound than the other two wound dressings (P<0.001). The acellular dermal matrix showed better effect than petrolatum gauze in terms of the dressing dissociation time and the viable transplanted cell number in the wound.

CONCLUSIONAlloskin graft can be ideal for covering the wound surface to protect the transplanted BMSCs in rats.

Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; Dermis ; transplantation ; Female ; Male ; Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Inbred F344 ; Rats, Wistar ; Skin ; injuries ; Transplantation, Homologous ; Wound Healing ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the value of narrow band imaging (NBI) endoscopy in the detection of laryngeal cancer and its precursor lesions.

METHODSBetween December 2008 and July 2009, a total of 122 consecutive patients with suspected precancerous or cancerous lesions of the larynx were enrolled in this study. High performance endoscopic system equipped with the white light mode and NBI mode was introduced in the examination of larynx. Full pharyngeal and laryngeal examination was performed first under white light endoscope and then under NBI. Each lesion was observed by NBI endoscopy and classified according to the detailed morphologic findings of epithelial microvessels. Histological results were then compared to the corresponding white light and NBI images.

RESULTSAmong the 122 patients, a total of 149 lesions were detected by white light and NBI modes. The histological diagnoses of these lesions were as follows: 16 laryngeal polyp, 7 laryngitis, 24 simple hyperplasia, 17 mild dysplasia, 6 moderate dysplasia, 6 severe dysplasia, 9 carcinoma in situ, 64 invasive cancer. The diagnostic accuracy by NBI for the laryngeal lesions was 90.6% (135/149), which was significantly higher than that of white light (75.2%, 112/149, chi² = 12.514, P < 0.001). The sensitivity of NBI and white light to detect laryngeal carcinoma was 93.2% (68/73) and 68.5% (50/73), respectively (chi² = 14.317, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONSNBI endoscopy was a promising tool for the differentiation of non-malignant from malignant laryngeal lesions in vivo by detection of the morphology of mucosal capillary vessels. NBI endoscopy was easy to application in the routine pharyngolaryngeal examination with high sensitivity, and facilitated to improve the abilities of preoperative diagnosis and postoperative surveillance.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Early Detection of Cancer ; Female ; Humans ; Laryngeal Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Laryngoscopes ; Laryngoscopy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical features of unexpected sudden death (SUD) clustered in families in Yunnan province.

METHODSThis retrospective study analyzed the clinical features of SUD occurred between July to September 2005 in 7 families in Yunnan province.

RESULTSAll 16 SUD patients shared common clinical features such as fatigue and repeated syncope and one group of SUD patients (n = 8 from 4 families) presented with the gastric intestinal tract manifestations including nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhea with suspected dietary history and abnormal laboratory enzyme findings (GOT/GPT, CK/CKMB, LDH/LDH1 etc.). In SUD patients without gastric intestinal tract manifestations (n = 8 from 3 families), there were no clear symptoms before death and repeated ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation were recorded in one survivor. There was no clear evidence for the involvements of hereditary and infectious factors for observed SUD.

CONCLUSIONThe reason for the unexpected sudden death clustered in 7 families in Yunnan remains unclear. Repeated syncope and fatigue served as the common clinical features in the presence or absence of gastric intestinal tract manifestations in all SUD cases. Further studies are needed to clarify the pathology and detailed clinical manifestations of SUD occurred in this area.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Bias ; Cause of Death ; Child ; China ; epidemiology ; Death, Sudden ; epidemiology ; Family ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Young Adult