BACKGROUND: The association of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) gene polymorphisms with the onset and development of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) has been the focus of studies on AS in the field of genetics.OBJECTIVE: To explore the association of the polymophisms of TNF-α promoter gene at positions-308 and -238 with AS susceptibility and clinical pathological changes.DESIGN: A case-control study.SETTING:The Rheumatic Immunology Department of Changhai Hospital of the Second Military Medical University of Chinese PLA.PARTICIPANTS: Totally, 108 AS patients were recruited from Rheumatic Immunology Department of Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University of Chinese PLA from January 1999 to December 2003 ,they had no kinship. The ratio of men to women was 5.3: 1. They aged from 13 to 71 (30-± 12) years old, and AS was divided into Ⅰ- Ⅳ radiographic stages according to the sacro-iliac joint damage. A total of 100 healthy controls were randomly selected from the blood donators(Shanghai Hospital) who were aged from 19 -56 (33 ±9) years old, and the ratio of men to women was 4.9: 1. Informed consent was obtained from all the subjects.ti-coagulated with EDTA. Polymerase chain reaction amplification and purification of the TNF-α promoter region was made and the sequence of polymerase chain reaction products was examined and displayed by Chromas 1.62 softcorresponding radiographic stage of sacro-iliac joint damage was assessed to investigate the influence of gene polymorphisms on AS.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: DNA direct sequencing method was used to detect -238 and -308 allele phenotypes for investigating the association with clinical presentations.G and -238G/A allele was 98.1% (106 cases) and1. 9% (2 cases) respectively in AS group and 95.0% (95 cases) and 5.0% (5 cases) respecquency of TNF-α promoter gene at positions -308. 1.1(G/G) and - 308.1.2(G/A) alleles was 82.4% (89 cases) and 17.6% (192 cases) respectively in AS group, which was not significantly different compared respectively with 85.0% (85 cases) and 14.0% (14 cases) of the control of sacro-iliac joint damage and the frequency of TNF-α promoter gene at the position of - 308 (G/G) and (G/A): AS patients with(G/G) phenotype who were confirmed of radiographic stage Ⅰ, Ⅱ, Ⅲ, and Ⅳ were observed in 3/35/40/11cases,compared with (G/A) phenotype of 1/12/6/0 cases.The difference was statistically significant (χ2GMH = 4.77, P ＜ 0.05 ).CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that the polymorphisms of TNF-α promoter gene at positions of - 238 and - 308 allele has no association with AS susceptibility, but the polymorphisms of TNF - α promoter gene at the position of -308 might exert great influence on AS according to the radiographic stage of sacro-iliac joint damage.

The voltage-gated sodium channel subtype Nav1.7 is highly expressed in nociceptive sensory neurons and is a key pathogenic target in several human hereditary pain syndromes. In recent years, a large number of studies have shown that Nav1.7 plays an important role in inflammatory, neuropathic, and nociceptive pain. Therefore, targeting Nav1.7 is a new strategy and hotspot for the development of novel analgesics. This review introduces the structure and function of Nav1.7, its regulatory role in pain, highlights the development progress of small-molecule Nav1.7 inhibitors in clinical trials, and analyzes the preclinical development of highly specific Nav1.7 inhibitors, with a view to providing reference for the development of Nav1.7 analgesic drugs.

Objective To evaluate the diagnostic role of multi-slice CT(MSCT)angiography for tumors of intra-abdominal testes.Methods MSCT angiography of 5 cases with seminoma of intra-abdominal testes proved by surgery and pathology was analyzed.All patients were male,and the age ranged from 33 to 59 years with the mean of 43.6 years.Results(1)The arterial-supply of tumors completely came from the testicular artery of the same side.The arteries went into tumors from the posterior side.(2)The tumors had comparatively large volume with complete or incomplete amicula.The tumor density of 3 cases was inhomogeneous.The degree of entity augmentation of 5 patients was about 14—25 HU.Conclusion MSCT angiography can reveal the tumor vessel and is essential for the diagnosis of tumors of intra-abdominal testes.

OBJECTIVETo analyze the relationship between Chinese medical constitutions and chemotherapy-induced leucopenia (CIL) of primary breast cancer patients.

METHODSTotally 306 breast cancer patients undergoing adjunctive chemotherapy for the 1st time, and effective 291 breast cancer patients were recruited in this study.Nine Basic Constitutional Scale was used before first chemotherapy. Chinese medical constitutions were classified and quantitatively scored. The highest grading for any item of adverse reactions in each case during the whole chemotherapy course was recorded after chemotherapy. Data were statistically analyzed using SPSS16.0.

RESULTSThere was no significant difference in CIL between different chemotherapy regimens and various Chinese medical constitutions of breast cancer patients (P > 0.05). Yang deficiency constitution is one risk factor for CIL. The higher the score of yang deficiency constitution, the more severe the CIL.

CONCLUSIONSYang deficiency constitution was correlated with the degree of CIL. The higher the score of yang deficiency constitution, the greater the risk of III-IV grade CIL in breast cancer patients.

Breast Neoplasms ; complications ; drug therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Leukopenia ; chemically induced ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Yang Deficiency

Objective To evaluate the storage performance of storage bags for apheresis platelets produced by Shandong Weigao Group Medical Polymer Co .,Ltd ( experimental bags ) with Trima set platelet storage bags produced by the U .S. Gambro BCT as the control .Method One unit of apheresis platelets was divided into two equal parts , added to control blood bags and experimental blood bags respectively .All samples were stored at ( 22 ±2 )℃ with consecutive oscillation . The platelets′count, mean volume, aggregate activity (ADP, THR), pH, glucose, lactate concentration, lactate dehydro-genase concentration , hypotonic shock reaction , expression of CD62P and phosphatidyl serine on surface of cell membrane were detected at 0,3,5 and 7 d respectively.Results There was no significant difference in platelet quality after five days of storage between the experimental group and the control group (t-test, P>0.05).Conclusion Two types of platelet stor-age blood bags have similar storage performance for apheresis platelets .

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), human mut-l homologue 1 (hMLH1) and human mut-s homologue 2 (hMSH2) proteins in human paired gastric carcinoma (GC) and adjacent normal mucosa, and analyze their relationship with microsatellite instability (MSI).

METHODSThe protein expressions were examined by western blotting. Five MSI loci were assessed by PCR.

RESULTSIn 30 surgically excised GC tissues, the overexpression rate of COX-2, the low expression rate of hMLH1 and hMSH2 were 66.7%, 40% and 33.3%, respectively. Significant differences were found when compared with those of adjacent normal mucosa (P < 0.05). MSI was detected in 13 GC. The number of MSI-H (MSI-High, > or = 2 loci), MSI-L (MSI-Low, only one locus), and MSS (microsatellite stable) were 9, 4 and 17, respectively. The number of low expression rates of COX-2, hMLH1 and hMSH2 in MSI-H were 6, 8 and 5, respectively. There were significant differences compared to that of MSS (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe results suggest that microsatellite instability pathway is probably involved in the carcinogenesis of gastric carcinoma, which is frequently accompanied by low expression of hMLH1 and hMSH2, and may be also by low expression of COX-2.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Cyclooxygenase 2 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Humans ; Microsatellite Repeats ; genetics ; MutL Protein Homolog 1 ; MutL Proteins ; Neoplasm Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Nuclear Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Stomach Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of formaldehyde inhalation on the morphological damage, and Glu, GABA and NOS contents in olfactory bulb and hippocampus of rats.

METHODSTwenty SD rats were equally divided into two groups: rats in the control group inhaled fresh air, while the animals in experimental group were exposed to the air containing formaldehyde (12.5 mg/m(3), 4 h/d) for 7 days. Then rats were sacrificed and frozen sections of olfactory bulb and hippocampus were prepared. The morphological changes were examined and the Glu, GABA and NOS contents were detected using Nissl-staining, immunohistochemistry and Western blot, respectively.

RESULTCompared with the control group, there was a significant confusion and shrink of neuron morphology in experimental group, the number and staining intensity of Glu and NOS positive cells and protein contents were reduced. The protein expression of GABA was also decreased in the formaldehyde group.

CONCLUSIONFormaldehyde inhalation can cause a severe morphological damage of olfactory bulb and hippocampus in SD rats,which may further impair memory and learning ability through the reduction of Glu, GABA and NOS expression.

Animals ; Formaldehyde ; toxicity ; Glutamic Acid ; metabolism ; Hippocampus ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Inhalation Exposure ; Learning ; drug effects ; Neurons ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; metabolism ; Olfactory Bulb ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; gamma-Aminobutyric Acid ; metabolism

Objective:To investigate the influencing factors of chemotherapy induced oral mucositis (CIOM) in patients with head and neck tumors.Methods:The clinical data of 98 patients with head and neck tumors treated in Nantong Tumor Hospital of Jiangsu Province from July 2017 to July 2021 were analyzed retrospectively. The patients were divided into CIOM group ( n=82) and non-CIOM group ( n=16) according to whether CIOM occurred after chemotherapy. The general clinical data of the two groups were compared, and the levels of serum cystatin C (Cys-C) , hypersensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and homocysteine (Hcy) before chemotherapy of the two groups were detected and compared. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to explore the influencing factors of CIOM. Results:There were statistically significant differences in body mass index (BMI) ( χ2=6.44, P=0.011) , oral care ( χ2=4.36, P=0.037) , smoking history ( χ2=7.82, P=0.005) , oral pH value ( χ2=26.16, P<0.001) , radiotherapy history ( χ2=13.31, P<0.001) , chemotherapy regimen ( χ2=4.53, P=0.033) , application of antibiotics ( χ2=14.53, P<0.001) and application of oral mucosal protective agents ( χ2=12.85, P=0.001) between the CIOM group and non-CIOM group. The serum Cys-C [ (1.43±0.36) mg/L vs. (1.05±0.28) mg/L], hs-CRP [ (19.64±2.05) μmol/L vs. (13.49±1.55) μmol/L] and Hcy [ (14.34±1.71) μmol/L vs. (9.63±1.38) μmol/L] before chemotherapy of the CIOM group were significantly higher than those of the non-CIOM group, with statistically significant differences ( t=3.88, P<0.001; t=11.38, P<0.001; t=10.36, P<0.001) . Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that BMI<18.5 kg/m 2 ( OR=1.66, 95% CI: 1.18-2.14, P=0.005) , poor oral care ( OR=2.42, 95% CI: 1.70-4.36, P=0.013) , smoking history ( OR=1.53, 95% CI: 1.25-2.28, P=0.003) , oral pH≤7 ( OR=2.46, 95% CI: 1.48-4.06, P<0.001) , radiotherapy history ( OR=2.04, 95% CI: 1.60-3.44, P<0.001) , chemotherapy regimen containing fluorouracil (5-FU) ( OR=1.81, 95% CI: 1.36-2.83, P=0.006) , and increased Cys-C ( OR=2.03, 95% CI: 1.40-3.02, P<0.001) , hs-CRP ( OR=2.26, 95% CI: 1.64-3.19, P<0.001) and Hcy ( OR=1.77, 95% CI: 1.27-2.53, P<0.001) before chemotherapy were independent risk factors for the occurrence of CIOM in patients with head and neck tumors, while the application of antibiotics ( OR=0.76, 95% CI: 0.43-0.95, P<0.001) and oral mucosal protective agents ( OR=0.58, 95% CI: 0.27-0.88, P<0.001) were independent protective factors for the occurrence of CIOM in patients with head and neck tumors. Conclusion:BMI<18.5 kg/m 2, poor oral care, smoking history, oral pH≤7, radiotherapy history, chemotherapy regimen containing 5-FU, increased Cys-C, hs-CRP and Hcy before chemotherapy are independent risk factors of head and neck tumors patients complicated with CIOM, while the application of antibiotics and oral mucosal protective agents are independent protective factors.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the distribution of GAD67 and the co-localization with bNOS in the main olfactory bulb of GAD67-GFP knock-in mouse.

METHODSPolymerase chain reaction was applied to identify the genotype of GAD67-GFP knock-in mouse, the animals were sacrificed and frozen sections of olfactory bulb were prepared. The Nissl-staining was performed to show an framework of the neuron in the olfactory bulb. The distribution of GAD67 and co-localization with bNOS were detected by immunofluorescence technique.

RESULTSThe proportion of GAD67-positive cells among DAPI-positive cells were (42.98 ± 0.92)% in glomerular layer, (23.64 ± 0.84)% in mitral cell layer and (77.75 ± 0.84)% in granule cell layer; the bNOS-positive cells mainly existed in glomerular layer and mitral cell layer, very few in granule cell layer. No co-localization of GAD67 and bNOS in granule cell layer and mitral cell layer was found, but there was dispersed distribution in glomerular layer.

CONCLUSIONGAD67-positive neurons mainly appear in glomerular layer and granule cell layer, and the bNOS is mostly expressed in glomerular layer and mitral cell layer; while the co-localization of GAD67 and bNOS only occurs in glomerular layer of olfactory bulb.

Animals ; Gene Knock-In Techniques ; Glutamate Decarboxylase ; genetics ; metabolism ; Green Fluorescent Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Transgenic ; Neurons ; metabolism ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I ; metabolism ; Olfactory Bulb ; metabolism ; Tissue Distribution

Adult ; Diagnostic Errors ; Endophthalmitis ; diagnosis ; microbiology ; Female ; Humans ; Mycobacterium tuberculosis ; isolation & purification ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary ; microbiology ; Uveitis ; diagnosis