Objective To evaluate skin barrier function in children with atopic dermatitis (AD) as well as healthy children from two communities in Shanghai and to assess the relationship between skin barrier function and AD severity.Methods Totally,169 children with AD and 142 healthy children aged 3-12 years were recruited from two communities (Changning Xining community and Jiading Juyuan community) in Shanghai,China.Transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and stratum corneum hydration were measured in normal appearing nonlesional skin at four body sites (dorsal and volar forearm,cheek and anterior shin) of the patients,as well as in normal skin at the same sites of the controls.AD severity was evaluated by using the severity scoring of atopic dermatitis (SCORAD) index.Results Compared with the healthy children,the patients with AD showed higher TEWL value at all of the four body sites (all P ＜ 0.05),but lower water content in stratum corneum at dorsal forearm and anterior shin (both P ＜ 0.05).In patients with AD,the SCORAD index was positively correlated with mean TEWL value,but negatively correlated with the mean water content in stratum corneum.Conclusion Skin barrier function may serve as an index for evaluating the severity of AD.

National traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) master professor Ban Xiuwen had rich experiences on treatment of gynecological diseases with unique insights on diagnosis and treatment for disorders of menstruation, leukorrhea, pregnancy and delivery. FemaleYin-Wei, which was a gynecological disorder, was recorded in the book ofHuang-Di Nei-Jing. However, due to different reasons, TCM study on femaleYin-Wei was far less than the study on male impotence. ProfessorBan Xiuwen had specific considerations for this disease on the book of Treatment of Miscellaneous Gynecological Diseases. In his understanding, femaleYin-Wei was due to four aspects, which were the innate deficiency, yang deficiency and coldness of the uterus; seven emotion damage, liver-qi soothing disorder; spleen-stomach deficiency,qi-blood deficiency; and phlegm-dampness stasis,qi stagnation. Through the analysis and study on case records of femaleYin-Wei treatment by national TCM master professorBan Xiuwen, this article briefly elaborated professorBan Xiuwen’s understandings on femaleYin-Wei treatment from etiology, pathogenesis, treatment according to syndrome differentiation, and clinical experiences. Two femaleYin-Wei cases treated by professorBan Xiuwen were given as examples in order to analyze the etiology, pathogenesis, treatment according to syndrome differentiation and treatment experiences in details. The therapeutic effects of both cases were obvious, which were also important study documents.

Objective To explore the effect of bladder muscle flaps for long segment defect of ureter middle-lower segment and reconstruction method in laparoscopic surgery. Methods Clinical data of 3 patients with long segment defect of ureter middle-lower segment, all of whom underwent laparoscopic surgery from May 2014 to April 2016 was retrospectively evaluated. There were 1 male and 2 females, in 2 cases with history of ureteroscopy holmium laser lithotripsy in ureter middle-lower segment, in 2 cases with history of repeated ESWL. Preoperative urinary tract ultrasound, CT and intravenous urography imaging showed severe hydronephrosis, ureter middle-upper segment severe hydroureter, ureter middle-lower segment severe stricture. Results Operations were successful in 3 cases. After reconstruction bladder muscle flaps average length of is 9.6 cm, The average operation time of 180 min, The average length of hospital stay for 10 d, Postoperative eighth weeks extracted the double J tube and used ureteroscopy showed anastomotic unobstructed, it may smooth Through 8.5 F ureteroscopy, and no infection and urinary leakage occurred, Follow-up ranged from 3 to 18 months. 3 cases hydronephrosis and hydroureter significantly reduce, ureter unobstructed, no narrow in ureter and muscle flap of tube joint, serum creatinine valueswere in normal range. Conclusions The bladder muscle flaps for the treatment of long segment defect of ureter middle-lower segment in laparoscopic surgery was a safe and effective therapy, but it must be accomplished by seasoned doctors.

Objective To explore the efficacy and safety of Transurethral vaporization of the prostate using 1 470 nm diode laser in treatment of BPH.Methods 58 cases BPH patients underwent transurethral vaporization of the prostate using 1 470 nm diode laser from Dec. 2015 to Apr. 2016 were retrospectively analyzed, including the mean operation time and compared hemoglobin, electrolyte, urinary symptoms, before and after surgery.Result Operations were successfully performed in all the 58 cases, with average operation time of (48.2 ± 16.3) min. No difference was found in either hemoglobin decrease or electrolyte decrease before and after surgery. The patients were followed up for 1~3 months, which revealed a signiifcant reduction in IPSS and improvement in Qmaxand PVR (P < 0.05), compared with pre-operation. No severe complications were reported, including transurethral resection (TUR) syndrome, urinary incontinence and impaired erectile function.Conclusion Transurethral vaporization of the prostate using 1 470 nm diode laser is a safe and effective therapy for BPH. It has advantages of short learning curve, very little blood loss, high efifcacy. It has promising broad prospects.

Echinococcus granulosus is the causative agent of cystic echinococcosis with medical and veterinary importance in China. Our main objective was to discuss the genotypes and genetic diversity of E. granulosus present in domestic animals and humans in western China. A total of 45 hydatid cyst samples were collected from sheep, humans, and a yak and subjected to an analysis of the sequences of mitochondrial cytochrome b (cytb) gene. The amplified PCR product for all samples was a 1,068 bp band. The phylogenetic analysis showed that all 45 samples were identified as E. granulosus (genotype G1). Ten haplotypes were detected among the samples, with the main haplotype being H1. The haplotype diversity was 0.626, while the nucleotide diversity was 0.001. These results suggested that genetic diversity was low among our samples collected from the west of China based on cytb gene analysis. These findings may provide more information on molecular characteristics of E. granulosus from this Chinese region.
Animals ; Animals, Domestic/parasitology ; Base Composition ; Base Sequence ; Cattle/*parasitology ; China ; Cytochromes b/*genetics ; DNA, Helminth/genetics ; Echinococcosis ; Echinococcus granulosus/classification/*genetics ; Genetic Variation ; Haplotypes/genetics ; Humans ; Mitochondria/genetics ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phylogeny ; Polymerase Chain Reaction/*veterinary ; Sequence Alignment ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Sheep/*parasitology ; Tibet

Taenia pisiformis is one of the most important parasites of canines and rabbits. T. pisiformis cysticercus (the larval stage) causes severe damage to rabbit breeding, which results in huge economic losses. In this study, the genetic variation of T. pisiformis was determined in Sichuan Province, China. Fragments of the mitochondrial cytochrome b (cytb) (922 bp) gene were amplified in 53 isolates from 8 regions of T. pisiformis. Overall, 12 haplotypes were found in these 53 cytb sequences. Molecular genetic variations showed 98.4% genetic variation derived from intra-region. F(ST) and Nm values suggested that 53 isolates were not genetically differentiated and had low levels of genetic diversity. Neutrality indices of the cytb sequences showed the evolution of T. pisiformis followed a neutral mode. Phylogenetic analysis revealed no correlation between phylogeny and geographic distribution. These findings indicate that 53 isolates of T. pisiformis keep a low genetic variation, which provide useful knowledge for monitoring changes in parasite populations for future control strategies.
Animals ; China ; Cytochromes b/*genetics ; *Genetic Variation ; Helminth Proteins/*genetics ; Humans ; Mitochondria/*genetics ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phylogeny ; Rabbits ; Taenia/classification/genetics/*isolation & purification ; Taeniasis/*parasitology

Objective:To transfer the interleukin 37 (IL-37) gene to cervical cancer Hela cells,and to explore the killing effect of IL-37 on the HeLa cells and its enhancement in the chemotherapy sensitivity of HeLa cells.Methods:The pIRES2-EGFP (NC group) and pIRES2-EGFP/IL-37 (IL-37 group) plasmids were transfected into the HeLa cells.Q-PCR and Western blotting methods were used to detect the expression levels of IL-37 mRNA and protein.The activities of HeLa cells in NC group,IL-37 group,DDP group and IL-37+DDP group were detected by CCK8 method,and the inhibitory rates of cells were calculated.The gene expressions of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and Cyclin D1 were detected by RT-PCR method.Results:Compared with NC group,the expression levels of IL-37 mRNA and protein in IL-37 group were significantly increased (P＜0.01).The activities of HeLa cells in DDP (5-15 mg · L-1) groups were inhibited after administration for 24-72 h (P＜ 0.01);the inhibitory rates in IL-37 + DDP group were higher than those in DDP group within 48 h after administration (P＜0.05).Compared with IL-37 group,the inhibitory rates in IL-37+DDP group was increased with 96 h after administration (P＜0.05).Compared with NC group,the expression levels of STAT3 and Cyclin D1 mRNA in IL-37 group were significantly decreased (P＜0.01).Conclusion:The over-expression of IL-37 can inhibit the proliferation of cervical cancer cells and enhance the effect of DDP on the chemotherapy of cervical cancer cells which may be related to the down-regulation of the expressions of STAT3 and Cyclin D1 by IL-37.

Objective: To assess the efficacy and safety of thrombolytic treatment with reteplase in patients with intermediate-risk acute pulmonary embolism. Methods: Ten consecutive patients with intermediate-risk acute pulmonary embolism who received thrombolytic treatment with reteplase at Thrombosis and Vascular Medicine Center, Fuwai Hospital from March to November in 2016 were included.Vital signs, right ventricular diameter, systolic pulmonary artery pressure, and biochemical markers were assessed before and after thrombolytic therapy with reteplase, and bleeding complications were also observed during 3 months follow up. Results: (1) For the efficacy outcomes: at 48 hours after thrombolytic treatment with reteplase, echocardiography-derived diameter of right ventricular was significant reduced from (27.9±3.8) mm to (24.8±2.6) mm (P=0.03), systolic pulmonary artery pressure decreased from (63.9±21.6) mmHg(1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) to (34.4±19.8) mmHg (P=0.02). Heart rate and breathing rate were also decreased significantly (both P<0.05), blood pressure remained unchanged post therapy.Hypoxemia was quickly corrected with an significant elevation of PaO₂ and SaO₂ ((65.2±14.3) mmHg vs. (80.0±9.6) mmHg, P=0.006; (90.8±3.5)% vs. (95.2 ±1.6)%, P=0.002 respectively). PaCO₂ was also increased significantly (P<0.05). Serum NT-proBNP and cTnI were decreased significantly (both P<0.05). There was no recurrent pulmonary embolism or deep-vein thrombosis during the 3 months follow-up. (2) For the safety outcomes: a thrombolytic relevant hemoptysis (about 70 ml) occurred in 1 patient, and was controlled by PCC therapy.No other clinically relevant events were observed during thrombolytic treatment. Eight patients were followed more than 3 months, there was no major bleeding complication or death during the follow up period. Conclusion Treatment of intermediate-risk acute pulmonary embolism with reteplase is effective and safe and there are no obvious side effects.

Dirofilaria immitis (heartworm) infections affect domestic dogs, cats, and various wild mammals with increasing incidence in temperate and tropical areas. More sensitive antibody detection methodologies are required to diagnose asymptomatic dirofilariasis with low worm burdens. Applying current transcriptomic technologies would be useful to discover potential diagnostic markers for D. immitis infection. A filarial homologue of the mammalian translationally controlled tumor protein (TCTP) was initially identified by screening the assembled transcriptome of D. immitis (DiTCTP). A BLAST analysis suggested that the DiTCTP gene shared the highest similarity with TCTP from Loa loa at protein level (97%). A histidine-tagged recombinant DiTCTP protein (rDiTCTP) of 40 kDa expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) showed immunoreactivity with serum from a dog experimentally infected with heartworms. Localization studies illustrated the ubiquitous presence of rDiTCTP protein in the lateral hypodermal chords, dorsal hypodermal chord, muscle, intestine, and uterus in female adult worms. Further studies on D. immitis-derived TCTP are warranted to assess whether this filarial protein could be used for a diagnostic purpose.
Animal Structures/chemistry ; Animals ; Antibodies, Helminth/blood ; Antigens, Helminth/chemistry/*genetics/immunology/*isolation & purification ; Cloning, Molecular ; Dirofilaria immitis/chemistry/*genetics/immunology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Dogs ; Escherichia coli/genetics ; Gene Expression ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Molecular Weight ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins/chemistry/genetics/immunology/isolation & purification ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Tumor Markers, Biological/chemistry/*genetics/immunology/*isolation & purification

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) and lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) with bioinformatics analysis and search for potential biomarkers for clinical diagnosis of nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS: The gene expression profiling datasets of LUAD and LUSC were acquired. The transcriptome differences between LUAD and LUSC were identified using R language processing and t-test analysis. The differential expressions of the genes were shown by Venn diagram. The DEGs identified by GEO2R were analyzed with DAVID and Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) to identify the signaling pathways and biomarkers that could be used for differential diagnosis of LUAD and LUSC. The TCGA data and the biomarker expression data from clinical lung cancer samples were used to verify the differential expressions of the Osteoarthritis pathway and LXR/RXR between LUAD and LUSC. We further examined the differential expressions of miR-181 and its two target genes, and , in 23 clinical specimens of lung squamous cell carcinoma and the paired adjacent tissues. RESULTS: GEO data analysis identified 851 DEGs (including 276 up-regulated and 575 down-regulated genes) in LUAD and 885 DEGs (including 406 up-regulated and 479 down-regulated genes) in LUSC. DAVID and IPA analysis revealed that leukocyte migration and inflammatory responses were more abundant in LUAD than in LUSC. Osteoarthritis pathway was inhibited in LUAD and activated in LUSC. IPA analysis showed that transcription factors (GATA4, RELA, YBX1, TP63 and MBD2), cytokines (WNT5A and IL1A) and microRNAs (miR-34a, miR-181b and miR-15a) differed significantly between LUAD and LUSC. miR-34a with IL-1A, miR-15a with YBX1, and miR-181b with WNT5A and MBD2 could serve as the paired microRNA and mRNA targets for differential diagnosis of NSCLC subtypes. Analysis of the clinical samples showed an increased expression of miR-181b-5p and the down-regulation of WNT5A, which could be used as molecular markers for the diagnosis of LUSC. CONCLUSIONS Through transcriptome analysis, we identified candidate genes, paired microRNAs and pathways for differentiating LUAD and LUSC, and they can provide novel differential diagnosis and therapeutic strategies for LUAD and LUSC.
Adenocarcinoma of Lung ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; MicroRNAs ; Y-Box-Binding Protein 1