Periostin is a matri-cellular protein which was originally identified in MC3T3-E 1 osteoblast-like cell line,expressing in multiple tissues like bones,teeth,skin and cardiac valves.Periostin is also found in a large variety of cancers and injured tissues,involving in cancer cell invasion and metastasis as well as wound repair.Recent studies have suggested the role of Periostin in osteoblast adhesion and differentiation,fibrillogenesis,mineralization and bone fracture healing,and its expression is regulated by mechanical stress,various transcription factors,hormones and growth factors.In this article,we will discuss the expression,localization and general characteristics of Periostin,and provide a review on the study of it in bone biology.

Objective To evaluate effects of the daily average temperature on the daily number of outpatient visits for eczema in Lanzhou city.Methods Clinical data were obtained from outpatients with eczema in the Department of Dermatology of 2 third-grade class-A hospitals in Lanzhou city from January 1st 2007 to December 31st 2015,and meteorological data during this period were also collected.Controlling for confounding factors like long-term trends and day of the week,a distributed lag non-linear model (DLNM) fitted with quasi-Poisson link function was used to assess the effects of daily average temperature on the daily number of outpatient visits for eczema,and the analysis was stratified by season,age and gender.Results The exposure-response relationship between the daily average temperature and daily number of outpatient visits for eczema could be roughly described by a W-shaped curve.Stratification analysis showed that the effect of the daily average temperature on outpatient visits for eczema was strongest in autumn and winter,followed by summer,and weakest in spring.Low temperature may have lagged,cumulative and persistent effects on the daily number of outpatient visits for eczema,with the maximum relative risk (RR) value (1.12 [95％ CI:1.03-1.22]) observed at-9 ℃ on lag day 14.With a 1 ℃decrease in the temperature,16％ (RR =1.16,95％ CI:1.00-1.03),14％ (RR =1.14,95％ CI:1.02-1.26) and 13％ (RR =1.13,95％ CI:1.02-1.25) increases in the daily number of outpatient visits for eczema were observed in men,teenagers and middle-aged adults respectively (P ＜ 0.05).However,low temperature had no significant effects on outpatient visits for eczema among women or the elderly (P ＞0.05).The effect of high temperature usually occurred following exposure without lag periods,and was gradually weakened over lag time (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusions In Lanzhou,the effect of daily average temperature on outpatient visits for eczema was strongest in autumn and winter.Changes of the daily temperature may be one of risk factors for eczema.Low temperature had lagged effects on the daily number of outpatient visits for eczema,and the effects were strongest on lag day 14.

BACKGROUND: Extraction method of modified platelet-rich fibrin has been determined, and its structure and constitutes have been investigated. Animal experiments have shown that modified platelet-rich fibrin can cooperate with osteoblasts to promote osteogenesis. OBJECTIVE: To extract modified platelet-rich fibrin and to explore the effect of modified platelet-rich fibrin gel on the repair of distal bone defect of adjacent mandibular second molar after extraction of mandibular wisdom tooth. METHODS: Forty-eight patients with proximal or horizontal obstruction of unilateral mandibular third molar were selected from the Department of Stomatology of Anqing Hospital Affiliated to Anhui Medical University. Patients were randomly divided into modified platelet-rich fibrin group and control group. The third molar was removed and the tooth extraction socket was cleared by the same method. Modified platelet-rich fibrin gel made from the patient's own blood was put into the distal surface of the second molar in the modified platelet-rich fibrin group at the same time. The control group did not put any materials after tooth extraction. All patients were followed up at 1, 2, 3 and 4 months after surgery to evaluate the periodontal status of adjacent mandibular second molars, including periodontal examination and imaging analysis. Full-oral curved tomography and cone-beam CT were taken at 4 months after surgery. Statistical analysis was conducted on SPSS 21.0 software. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) There was no significant difference in the periodontal depth of the adjacent second molars between modified platelet-rich fibrin and control groups. (2) At 4 months after surgery, the bone mineral density and bone yield in the modified platelet-rich fibrin group were significantly higher than those in the control group (both P ＜ 0.05). (3) In summary, modified platelet-rich fibrin can promote osteogenesis of mandibular proximal second molar after mandibular wisdom tooth extraction.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the clinical characteristics, causes of pre-operative misdiagnosis and therapy of pulmonary cryptococcosis. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 28 patients suffering from pulmonary cryptococcosis from 2008 to 2013 in the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University. All patients were diagnosed pathologically. RESULTS: Of the 28 patients, 19 had no clear host factors. No patient was exposed to pigeons recently. The imaging findings showed that most patients had solitary, multiple nodules, masses, and patches. 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) showed abnormal accumulation of fluorodeoxyglucose. Seven patients demonstrated malignancy and 1 demonstrated tuberculosis. None was considered as pulmonary fungus diseases. Microscopically, cryptococcosis granuloma formation was found in all patients and cryptococcosis neoformans were detected by Periodic acid-schiff and Grocott methenamine silver staining methods in the histopathological examination, respectively. Twenty-seven patients underwent lobectomy, and 1 had the medical antifungal drugs treatment. During the follow-up, symptoms in only 1 patient were not controlled. CONCLUSION Most pulmonary cryptococcosis patients have no evident immunocompromise. Clinical presentation of pulmonary cryptococcosis varies and is often related to the immune status of patients. Radiological manifestation of pulmonary cryptococcosis is indistinguishable from malignant tumor, and even 18F-FDG-PET imaging does not help to get a clear diagnosis. After surgical resection of the lung, systemic antifungal treatment is still necessary for special population. Systemic therapy of both fluconazole and itraconazole is classic choice for pulmonary cryptococcosis.
Cryptococcosis ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Fluorodeoxyglucose F18 ; Humans ; Lung ; microbiology ; pathology ; Lung Diseases, Fungal ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Positron-Emission Tomography ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Vigilance is defined as the ability to maintain attention or alertness over prolonged periods of time. Since Mid-20th century, following the increasing man-machine communication, high level of vigilance has been demanded in many areas including driving safety, medical care and therapy, aerospace and military affairs, etc. Therefore, finding quick methods to improve the level of vigilance has become a key issue in medical study. Based on physical regulation, chemical regulation and physiological regulation, the research progress has been summarized in this paper. We, furthermore, also try to predict the future trend in this academic area and develop some tentative ideas about seeking more effective and convenient ways to improve the level of brain vigilance.
Arousal ; physiology ; Attention ; Brain ; physiology ; Coffee ; Humans ; Light ; Rest ; physiology ; Sound

Objective This study was to investigate the characteristics of posterior corneal astigmatism (PCA) and aberration in cataract patients with high myopia.Methods A retrospective study was designed.Two hundred and eighty-two eligible eyes of 190 cataract patients were enrolled in Eye and ENT Hospital of Fudan University from September to December,2014.The eyes were classified into two groups according to axial length (AL):high myopia group with 139 eyes (AL≥26 mm) and control group with 143 eyes (AL was 20 to 25 mm).The mean keratometric mid-radius of curvature (Km),corneal central thickness (CCT),astigmatism and aberrations were measured by the rotating Scheimpflug System (Pentacam),and the AL were measured by the partial coherence interferometry (IOL Master).This study followed the Helsinki declaration,and was approved by the Ethic Committee of Eye and ENT Hospital,Fudan University.Informed consent was signed from each patient.Results In high myopia group,the mean PCA was 0.3 D (range 0 ～ 0.9 D) and 92.8％ eyes had PCA values ＜0.5 D.The steep corneal meridian was aligned vertically (60°～ 120°) in 87.1％ eyes for the posterior corneal surface.There was no significant difference in PCA between the high myopia group and the control group (P =0.797).Significant positive linear correlations was found between PCA and anterior corneal astigmatism (ACA),PCA and anterior corneal root mean square (RMS),PCA and anterior lower-order RMS,PCA and posterior corneal RMS,PCA and posterior high-order RMS,PCA and posterior lower-order RMS (r =0.235,P =0.005;r =0.217,P =0.010;r =0.229,P =0.007;r =0.395,P =0.000;r =0.243,P =0.004;r =0.384,P =0.000).Compared with total corneal astigmatism (TCA),anterior corneal measurements overestimated with-the-rule astigmatism (WTR) by a mean of (0.27 ± 0.18) D in 65.67％ eyes,underestimated against-the-rule astigmatism (ATR) by (0.27 ± 0.18) D in 88.10％ eyes and underestimated oblique astigmatism (Obl) by (0.22 ± 0.10) D in 63.33％ eyes.Compared with total corneal aberrations,anterior corneal aberrations measurements overestimated by (0.275 ±0.176) μm in 87.05 ％ eyes,and the anterior corneal astigmatism types had no effect on the result.Conclusions In high myopia group,92.8％ eyes had PCA values ＜0.5 D and the main astigmatism type in posterior corneal surface was ATR.The posterior corneal astigmatism and aberration were needed to consider in choosing intraocular lens (IOL) before cataract surgery.

Objective To observe the changes of glycocholic acid (CG) and evaluate the diagnostic value of CG combined with total bile acid (TBA) and leucine aminopeptidase (LAP) in various liver diseases.Methods From October 2016 to March 2017,210 serum samples of healthy people,asymptomatic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infected,hepatitis,biliary obstruction,hepatocirrhosis and primary hepatocellular carcinoma patients were collected.CG and LAP were detected by corresponding kits,and liver function,coagulation function and other indicators of patients were collected and analyzed statistically.Results The serum level of CG were elevated in the 4 liver disease groups and differed statistically from the normal group or the asymptomatic HBV infected group.CG level was positively correlated with LAP (r =0.380,P ＜ 0.01).In liver function indexes,CG was correlated with total bilirubin (TB),direct bilirubin (DB),TBA and alkaline phosphatase (AKP).At the same time,CG was correlated with fibrinogen(Fib),thrombin time(TT).LAP and TBA were introduced into regression equation Y =-0.835 + 0.157X1 +0.312X2 (X1:LAP,X2:TBA,R2 =0.685) as final variables in multivariate linear regression to analyse the influencing factors of CG.Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed that CG had the strongest ability to diagnose liver diseases in combination with LAP.Conclusions The change of CG level is of great significance in all kinds of liver diseases.The combination of LAP has the strongest ability to diagnose liver diseases.

Objective To evaluate the effect of curcumin on lidocaine-induced nerve injury and the role of protein kinase B ( Akt) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1∕2 ( ERK1∕2) signaling pathway in rats. Methods Eighty SPF male Sprague-Dawley rats, aged 8-10 weeks, weighing 220-250 g, were di-vided into 8 groups ( n=10 each) using a random number table method: control group ( group C) , sham operation group (group S), lidocaine group ( group L), dimethyl sulfoxide ( DMSO) group, low-dose curcumin group ( group CL ) , high-dose curcumin group ( group CH ) , curcumin plus ERK inhibitor PD98059 group (group P) and curcumin plus Akt inhibitor MK-2206 group (group M). The model of nerve injury was established by injecting 2％ lidocaine 10μl via the catheter in anesthetized rats in the other six groups except for C and S groups. Drugs were injected through a microcatheter for 14 consecutive days starting from 3rd day after IT catheterization as follows: DMSO 10μl, curcumin 100μg∕10μl and curcu-min 500 μg∕10 μl were injected once a day in D, CL and CH groups, respectively; curcumin 500 μg∕10μl was injected once a day, and D9805910μg and MK-220612μg ( in 5μl DMSO) were intraperitoneal-ly injected once a week in P and M groups, respectively. The mechanical paw withdrawal threshold ( MWT) and thermal paw withdrawal threshold ( TWL) on the operated side were measured on 1 day before IT catheterization, before administration on 3rd day after IT catheterization, and on 14th day after adminis-tration. The spinal cord was removed on 1st day after the end of administration for determination of the ex-pression of ERK1∕2, phosphorylated ERK1∕2 (p-ERK1∕2), Akt, phosphorylated Akt (p-Akt), c-fos, Bcl-2 and Bax ( by Western blot) and expression of ERK1∕2 and Akt mRNA ( by real-time polymerase chain reaction) . Results Compared with group C, the MWT was significantly decreased, the TWL was short-ened, the expression of ERK1∕2 protein and mRNA, p-ERK1∕2, c-fos, Akt protein and mRNA, p-Akt and Bcl-2 was down-regulated, and the expression of Bax was up-regulated in group L (P<0. 05). Com-pared with group L, the MWT was significantly increased, and the TWL was prolonged in CL, CH, P and M groups, the expression of p-ERK1∕2, c-fos, p-Akt and Bcl-2 was up-regulated, and the expression of Bax was down-regulated in CL and CH groups, the expression of p-Akt and Bcl-2 was up-regulated, and the expression of Bax was down-regulated in group P , and the the expression of p-ERK1∕2 and c-fos was up-regulated in group M ( P<0. 05) . Compared with group CH, the MWT was significantly decreased, and the TWL was shortened in P and M groups, the expression of p-ERK1∕2 and c-fos was down-regulated in group P, and the expression of p-Akt and Bcl-2 was down-regulated, and the expression of Bax was up-reg-ulated in group M ( P<0. 05) . Conclusion Curcumin can reduce lidocaine-induced nerve injury, and the mechanism may be partly related to enhancing the activity of Akt and ERK1∕2 signaling pathway in rats.

Objective To explore the relationship between urinary iodine level and breast cancer,we compare urinary iodine excretion levels in patients with breast cancer,benign breast disease,other female malignant tumors and control subjects in Xiangya Hospital of Central South University.Methods From December 2018 to January 2019,64 patients with newly diagnosed breast cancer in Xiangya Hospital of Central South University were selected as case group,benign breast disease group (n =49),other female malignant tumor group (n =39) and health examination group (n =50) as control group.Urinary iodine was determined by colorimetry.According to the urinary iodine level the patients divided into three groups:iodine excess (＞300 μg/L),medium iodine (100-300 μg/L) and iodine deficiency (＜ 100 μg/L).The relationship between urinary iodine and clinicopathology of breast cancer was analyzed.Results The level of urinary iodine in benign breast nodule group 319.13 (163.98) μg/L ＞ breast cancer group 273.96 (151.30) μg/L ＞ female other malignant tumor group 212.95 (161.71) μg/L ＞ normal control group 199.15 (194.45) μg/L,with significantly differance (H =9.936,P =0.019).Urinary iodine level in the normal control group was significantly lower than that in the benign breast disease group (P =0.013).The patients were further divided into three groups according to the urinary iodine level:iodine excess,iodine medium and iodine deficiency,the number of urine iodine ＜ 100 μg/L in the normal control group was significantly higher than that in the breast cancer group (P =0.021).The level of urinary iodine was negatively correlated with the size of the primary focus of breast cancer (Z =-2.307,P =0.021).The effect of urinary iodine was analyzed by multiple linear regression method.The size of primary focus was included in the regression equation (R2 =0.136,P=0.007),but had nothing to do with lymph node metastasis and the expression status of estrogen receptor (ER),androgen receptor (AR),progesterone receptor (PR) and human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER-2).Conclusions There is a negative linear correlation between urinary iodine level and the size of primary focus of breast cancer,but it has nothing to do with lymph node metastasis and the expression of ER,AR,PR and HER-2.

Objective To explore the role of peripheral blood CD4+CD25+CD127low Treg cells,interleukin-17A (IL-17A) and IL-27 in the pathogenesis of chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU).Methods Peripheral blood samples were obtained from 37 patients with CSU (CSU group)and 40 healthy controls (control group).Flow cytometry was performed to determine the percentage of CD4+CD25+CD127low Treg cells in the peripheral blood,and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to detect the serum levels of IL-17A and IL-27.Results The percentage of CD4+CD25+CD127low Treg cells in the peripheral blood (5.99％ ± 2.72％ vs.9.07％ ± 3.44 ％,t =4.325,P ＜ 0.01) and the serum level of IL-27 (20.54 ± 7.65 ng/L vs.26.63 ± 9.72 ng/L,t =3.039,P =0.003) were both significantly lower in the CSU group than in the control group.However,there was no significant difference in the serum level of IL-17A between the 2 groups (P =0.529).Among the patients with CSU,the level of IL-17A was negatively correlated with the percentage of CD4+CD25+CD127low Treg cells (r =-0.359,P =0.029),while the urticaria activity score (UAS) was uncorrelated with the levels of IL-17A and IL-27 as well as the percentage of CD4+CD25+ CD127low Treg cells (r =-0.076,-0.083,-0.053 respectively,all P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion There may be Th17/Treg imbalance in the peripheral blood of patients with CSU,and IL-27 may be involved in the occurrence of CSU.