Objective To investigate the association between polymorphisms of thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor(TSHR)gene intron 1(rs179247, rs12101261)and Graves′ disease(GD)in the China Han population from Xuzhou city, Jiangsu Province. Methods Total 1 066 GD patients and 1 107 control subjects were recruited for genotyping by Taqman probe technique on Fluidigm EP1 platform. Meanwhile, serum concentrations of thyroid hormone and TSH receptor antibodies(TRAb)were determined. Results The rs179247_A, rs12101261_T were significantly associated with GD risk(OR=1.35, 95%CI 1.19-1.54, P=5.92×10-6; OR=1.32, 95%CI 1.16-1.50, P=2.22×10-5). Logistic regression identified that rs179247 was an independent susceptibility locus of GD. Serum TRAb concentration showed a significant difference(P=0.015)among rs179247_AA, AG, and GG genotypes. Conclusion rs179247 and rs12101261 in TSHR intron 1 are both associated with GD, and rs179247 may contribute risk to GD independently. The polymorphism is associated with TRAb, but not with serum concentration of thyroid hormones, age of onset, diffused thyroid goiter, ophthalmic signs, and relapse.

Objective To investigate the whole genomic expression profiles of chronic atrophic gastritis with interleukin(IL)-1β-31CC/-511TT genotype as measured by oligonucleotide microarray technique.Methods Genomic RNA was extracted from gastric biopsies of 12 patients with chronic atrophic gastritis(6 with IL-1β-31CC/-511TT and 6 with IL-1β-31TT/-511CC).The genomic profiles of IL-1β gene polymorphisms 31CC/-511TT and 31TT/-511CC were compared and tested for differential expressed genes associated with 31CC/-511TT using Agilent human whole genomic oligonucleotide microarrays.The results were further analyzed in terms of gene ontology(GO).Results There were 200 differentially expressed genes associated with IL-1β-31CC/-511TT,159 of which were up-regulated and 41 were down-regulated.These genes mainly involved in macromolecule metabolic process,post-translational protein modification,ubiquitin cycle,and protein kinase cascade.Five genes had biological activities,one of which was down-regulated gene(PCSK5)and 4 were upregulated genes(PRKCA,NPLOC4,TRIB3 and MAPKAPK3).Conclusions The chronic atrophic gastritis with IL-1β-31CC/-511TT genotype has molecular phenotypes which is associated with malignance and inflammation.These individuals are needed more intensive preemptive treatment and dynamic surveillance.

Child ; Humans ; Vascular Calcification ; diagnosis

Objective To compare the prognostic value of different inflammation-based prognostic scores and Tumor Node Metastasis ( TNM) stage for patients undergoing radical resection of pancreatic cancer with the routine TNM stage in clinical practice.Methods Clinical data of 185 patients with pancreatic cancer who underwent radical surgery were retrospectively analyzed.Based on the inflammation-based prognostic scores ( Glasgow prognostic score ( GPS ) , neutrophil lymphocyte ratio ( NLR ) , platelet lymphocyte ratio ( PLR) , prognostic nutritional index ( PNI ) and prognostic index ( PI ) ) before surgery, univariate and multivariate analyses were used for identifying influential factors on patients′survival.Homogeneity of different scoring systems was compared using likelihood ratio chi-quare test, and linear trend chi-square test, and receiver operating characteristic ( ROC) curve were performed to compare the differentiating ability and single trend of the selected scores with those of routine TNM stage.Results In univariate analysis, preoperative weight loss, serum C-reactive protein, serum albumin, CA19-9, radical surgery, NLR, PLR, GPS, PI, PNI and TNM stage were all significantly associated with patients′overall survival after surgery (P<0.001).In multivariate cox risk model analysis, TNM stage, radical surgery, GPS, NLR, PLR, PI and PNI were independent risk factors for patients′survival after surgery.ROC curve showed that GPS had higher AUC than other scoring systems, but TNM stage had the highest AUC.The homogeneity, differentiating ability and single trend of GPS were higher compared to other inflammation-based prognostic scores, but those of TNM stage were the highest.Conclusions The inflammation-based prognostic scores like GPS, NLR, PLR, PI and PNI were independent prognostic factors for pancreatic caner patients′survival after surgery, and the prognostic value of GPS was superior to that of NLR, PLR, PI and PNI.

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of multi-functional fire needling plus auricular plaster therapy for moderate to severe acne vulgaris.Methods One hundred and fifty patients with moderate to severe acne vulgaris were randomly allocated to treatment and control groups, 75 cases each. Both groups were first given bloodletting at Ear apex and Helix 4. Then the treatment group received multi-functional fire needling plus auricular plaster therapy and the control group, auricular plaster therapy alone. The symptom and sign score was recorded in the two groups before and after treatment. The clinical therapeutic effects were compared between the two groups.Results There was a statistically significant pre-/post-treatment difference in the symptom and sign score in the two groups (P<0.01). There was a statistically significant post-treatment difference in the symptom and sign score between the two groups (P<0.05). The total efficacy rate and the cure and marked efficacy rate were 98.6% and 88.7%, respectively, in the treatment group and 93.2% and 60.8%, respectively, in the control group. There was a statistically significant difference in the cure and marked efficacy rate between the two groups (P<0.05).Conclusion Multi-functional fire needling plus auricular plaster therapy is an effective way to treat moderate to severe acne vulgaris.

Objective To explore the features of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) with hemophagocytic syndrome (HPS) as the initial manifestation at diagnosis. Methods The morbidity and treatment of two B-cell NHL patients with HPS as the initial manifestation were retrospectively analyzed, and the literature were reviewed at home and abroad. Results Two B-cell NHL patients with HPS were treated with the HLH-94 protocol to control febrile condition. After then, R-CHOP protocol (dexamethasone substituted for prednisone) was used and their results were good. In reviewing the literature, it was felt that the main sub-type of B-cell lymphoma-associated HPS (B-LAHPS) was diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. However, sub-types of T-cell lymphoma-associated HPS (T-LAHPS) had no significant difference. The incidence of T-LAHPS was significantly higher than that of B-LAHPS in China and South Korea, but there was no significant difference in the Western countries. T-cell lymphomas were more vulnerable to HPS. The median age of B-LAHPS patients at diagnosis was significantly higher than that of T-LAHPS patients. The median survival and overall survival time of B-LAHPS patients were longer than those of T-LAHPS patients by virtue of the application of rituximab. Conclusion B-cell NHL with HPS as the initial manifestation treated with the 2004-HLH plus R-CHOP protocol could achieve good outcomes.

Objective To evaluate the CT features of radiation-induced jaw osteosarcoma(RIJOS) developed after therapeutic irradiation for a variety of nonosseous lesions.Methods The demographic and CT findings of thirteen patients with RIJOS were reviewed retrospectively.Observation items included location,bone destruction,mineralized tumor matrix,periosteal reaction,soft tissue extension and calcification.Of the thirteen patients,twelve were male and one was female.The mean age was 48 years (range:29-68 years).Five patients had tumors in the maxilla and eight in the mandible.All the patients underwent tumor resection.Results The latent period before development of RIJOS ranged from 3.5 to 14 years (mean,11 years).In all thirteen patients,eight tumors were osteoblastic,with one osteolytic and four mixed lesions.Osteoid tumor matrix mineralization was present in twelve patients.Periosteal reaction was identified in 11 cases.Soft-tissue extension was present in all patients beyond the area of bone destruction.Conclusions The characteristic CT imaging of RIJOS showed the bone destruction associated with a large number of mineralized tumor matrix and significant soft tissue extension in the original radiation field after radiotherapy.CT findings could play an important role in identifying the tumor and pre-operative assessment.