OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression and clinical significance of EphA2 and E cadherin proteins in papillary thyroid carcinoma tissues, and to explore the relationship between them. METHOD: Using immunohistochemical SP/PV method, we detected the expression of EphA2 and E cadherin in tumors of 43 papillary thyroid carcinomas, 11 thyroid adenoma and 10 normal thyroid tissues, then studied their relationships with clinic pathological factors. RESULT: The total positive rates of EphA2 and E cadherin expression were 58. 14% and 32. 56% in papillary thyroid carcinoma tissues, 18. 18% and 81. 81% in thyroid adenoma.tissues and they were 10. 00% and 100. 00% in normal thyroid tissues respectively. The positive expression of EphA2 in carcinoma tissues was higher than in the thyroid adenoma tissues and normal thyroid tissues (P<0. 05) and the positive expression of E cadherin in carcinoma tissues was lower than that in the thyroid adenoma tissues and normal thyroid tissues (P<0. 05). The positive expression of EphA2 and E cadherin was associated with lymph node metastasis and histological grade (P<0. 05), but it was not associated with all the clinic-pathological factors including age, sex and the tumor size (P>0. 05). In papillary thyroid carcinoma tissues, the expression of EphA2 was negatively correlated with the expression of E cadherin protein (r= -0. 416, P<0. 01). CONCLUSION EphA2 and E cadherin may be involved in carcinogenesis and development of papillary thyroid carcinoma.
Adenoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Antigens, CD ; Cadherins ; metabolism ; Carcinoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Carcinoma, Papillary ; Humans ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Receptor, EphA2 ; metabolism ; Thyroid Cancer, Papillary ; Thyroid Gland ; metabolism ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology

AIM: To investigate the changes of the L-type calcium channel subunit expression and calcium currents (I_~Ca -L) in cultured rat ventricular myocytes infected by coxsackie virus B_3 (CVB_3). METHODS: Primary cultured neonatal rat ventricular myocytes were infected with CVB_3. The changes of L-type calcium channel subunits mRNA in normal and infected myocytes were measured by semi-quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. I_~Ca -L was recorded in two groups respectively using whole cell patch-clamp techniques. RESULTS: The expression of ?_1 and ? subunits of L-type calcium channel mRNA increased in the infected group compared with the normal one (4.00?0.07 vs 2.21?0.41, P0.05). The average current density of I_~Ca -L significantly increased by CVB_3 infection [(-8.66?0.99) pA/pF vs (-6.97?1.75) pA/pF, P

Humans ; Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse ; pathology ; Pituitary Gland ; pathology

Objective To study the baseline level of fraction anisotropy (FA) and the normal value of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) in deep white matter of preterm and its application.Methods From Oct.2010 to Dec.2013,in Department of Neonatology,Jiangsu Province Hospital,magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (T1,T2) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) were done on 13 preterm infants of less than 37 weeks of corrected gestational age (CA),42 preterm infants of term-matched age,and 15 term infants.ADC and FA were measured in genu and splenium of corpus callosum (CC),anterior limb and posterior limb of internal capsule (IC).Results 1.The ADC values in genu,splenium,anterior limb of right IC,posterior limb of right IC,anterior limb of left IC,posterior limb of left IC in CA ＜ 37 weeks infants were higher than those in term-matched infants and in term infants.The ADC values in the 6 regions in term-matched infants and in term infants were significantly different with those in CA ＜ 37 weeks infant(F =5.559,5.775,21.948,19.462,30.586,15.452,all P ＜ 0.01).The differences of ADC values between CA ＜ 37 weeks infants and term-matched infants,between CA ＜37 weeks infants and term infants were significant(all P ＜0.05),except that in CC between CA ＜ 37 weeks infants and term-matched infants.2 The FA values in genu,splenium,anterior limb of right IC,posterior limb of right IC,anterior limb of left IC,posterior limb of left IC in CA ＜ 37 weeks infants were lower than those in term-matched infants and in term infants.The FA values in the 6 regions in term-matched infants and in term infants were significantly different from those in CA ＜ 37 weeks infants (F =9.835,7.500,4.811,11.430,8.674,12.666,all P ＜ 0.01).The differences of FA values between CA ＜ 37 weeks infants and term-matched infants (P ＜ 0.05),between CA ＜ 37 weeks infants and term infants were significant (all P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions The baseline values of FA and ADC in different deep white matters were obtained.As corrected gestational age of preterm babies' increased,FA values in brain white matter increased,while ADC values decreased.The myelination in most white matter of preterm infants at matched term can catch up with that of term infants.The diagnostic value of ADC and FA needs to be studied further.

Objective To investigate the effect of local mild hypothermia on the cerebral hemodynamic parameters,plasma Endothelin-1 (ET-1s) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRPs) of the subarachnoid hemorrhage patients (SAH).Methods Sixty patients were divided randomly into local mild hypothermia group and control group (n =30 patients each group).The middle cerebral artery average blood flow rates (VMCAs) and pulse index (PIs) were detected with transcranial Doppler (TCD),plasma ET-1 s and CGRPs were tested on the D1,D7,D10,and D14,respectively.Results The VMCAs in the mild hypothermia group were lower on the D7,D10,and D14 [7 d:(95.46 ±22.48)cm/s vs (110.35 ±32.38) cm/s,t =2.07,P ＜ 0.05 ; 10 d:(85.57 ± 17.47) cm/s vs (97.64 ± 20.55) cm/s,t =2.45,P＜0.05 ;14 d:(57.16 ± 14.36)cm/s vs (70.56 ± 19.42) cm/s,t =3.04,P ＜ 0.01],PIs and plasma ET-1s were lower on the D10 and D14 compared with the control group [PIs:10 d:0.76 ±0.21 vs 0.88±0.25,t =2.01,P ＜0.05;14 d:0.72±0.18 vs 0.84 ±0.19,t =2.51,P ＜0.05] [ET-1s:10 d:(71.37 ± 16.63) pg/ml vs (81.46 ±21.38)pg/ml,t =2.04,P ＜0.05 ;14 d:(55.73 ± 15.18) pg/ml vs (68.28 ± 20.57) pg/ml,t =2.69,P ＜ 0.01].Plasma CGRPs were higher compared with the control group on the D7,D10,and D14 [7 d:(26.55 ±6.45)pg/ml vs (23.64 ±4.56)pg/ml,t =2.02,P ＜0.05;10 d:(24.15 ±7.35)pg/ml vs (20.52 ±6.18) pg/ml,t =2.07,P ＜0.05;14 d:(30.37 ±6.28)pg/ml vs (26.88 ± 4.39) pg/ml,t =2.49,P ＜ 0.05].Conclusions The mild hypothermia treatment could reduce the plasma ET-1s,improve plasma CGRPs,and improve the prognosis of the patients.

Objective To evaluate the median effective anesthetic dose of ropivacaine in ultrasound-guided transversus abdominis plane ( TAP ) block for analgesia in patients undergoing appendectomy. Methods Twenty-eight cases of appendectomy under general anesthesia were analyzed.After standardized general anaesthesia,a bilateral ultrasound-guided TAP block was performed on patients undergoing appendectomy using ropivacaine. Sequential method was applied. The initial dose of ropivacaine in first patient was 1.6 mg·kg-1,the dose adjustment interval was 0.2 mg·kg-1.Numerical Rating Scale was used to estimate the level of pain postoperatively. If NRS≤3, dosage of ropivacaine was decreased by 0. 2 mg·kg-1. The transversus abdominis plane block analgesia duration and incidences of postoperative adverse reactions were analyzed. Results Median effective dose (ED50) of ropivacaine in ultrasound-guided transversus abdominis plane block was 2.73 mg·kg-1.95%CI (1.94, 3.84) mg·kg-1. Conclusion The determination of ED50of ropivacaine in ultrasound-guided transversus abdominis plane block improved the anesthesia efficacy and safety.

OBJECTIVETo assess the predictive value of hemoglobin (HGB) levels for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) by performing a prospective cohort study of NAFLD incidence in a healthy population.

METHODSA total of 2840 individuals in the Xinjiang province were enrolled in the study from 2008 to 2011, based on liver ultrasound showing no evidence of fatty liver disease and the discovery of no major risk factors upon interview. All participants completed an epidemiological questionnaire survey, a physical examination, an abdominal ultrasonography, and gave blood for biochemistry testing. The hazard ratios of NAFLD were compared when the participants were grouped according to HGB level (g/L in quintiles): Q1, less than or equal to 145 for males and less than or equal to 123 for females; Q2, > 145 to less than or equal to 151 for males and > 123 to less than or equal to 129 for females; Q3, > 151 to less than or equal to 155 for males and >129 to less than or equal to 134 for females; Q4, > 155 to less than or equal to 161 for males and > 134 to less than or equal to 139 for females; Q5, > 161 for males and > 139 for females. Between-group comparison of measurement data was carried out by t-test and of percentage or count data by chi-square test. Between group comparison of the HGB level was carried out by one-way ANOVA. The prospective association between HGB levels and NAFLD was assessed by conditioned logistic regression analysis.

RESULTSThe values of body mass index, blood pressure, and triglyceride level were significantly higher in the participants with elevated serum uric acid quartiles. Within the 3-year study period, NAFLD was newly diagnosed in 19.6% of the male participants and 10.1% of the female participants; the difference between males and females reached the threshold of statistical significance (X2 = 51.043, P less than 0.01). The incidence of NAFLD in the quintile groups was 6.10% in Q1, 10.50% in Q2, 13.13% in Q3, 16.95% in Q4, and 22.03% in Q5 (X2 = 70.495, P less than 0.01), and the increasing trend with elevated HGB quartiles was significant (P less than 0.01). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, with adjustment for sex, age, race, metabolic syndrome and its components, the hazard ratios for incidence of fatty liver comparing Q2 to Q5 of HGB concentration to Q1 were 1.125, 1.325, 1.516 and 1.982.

CONCLUSIONElevated HGB concentration is predictive of NAFLD in otherwise healthy subjects and may be used for screening during a routine health check-up.

Adult ; Early Diagnosis ; Female ; Hemoglobins ; analysis ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease ; blood ; diagnosis ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Prospective Studies ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of recombinant human tumor necrosis factor-α receptorⅡ: IgG Fc fusion protein (rhTNFR:Fc) in the treatment of drug-induced toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) .Methods:From 2009 to 2018, 22 patients with TEN were enrolled from 8 centers such as the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, including 10 males and 12 females, whose age ranged from 22 to 75 years. These patients were subcutaneously injected with rhTNFR:Fc at a dose of 25 mg once every 3 days for 6 - 8 consecutive sessions, and the initial dose was doubled. The drug eruption area and severity index (DASI) score and DASI improvement indices (DASI50, DASI75 and DASI90) were assessed before treatment and on days 4, 7, 10, 13, 16, 19, 22 and 25 after treatment; cytometric bead array (CBA) technology was used to detect the level of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) -α in peripheral blood and blister fluid samples. During the treatment, body temperature, rash changes, liver and kidney function of patients were monitored, and adverse reactions were recorded. Statistical analysis was carried out by using repeated measures analysis of variance, paired t test and Pearson correlation analysis. Results:Of the 22 patients, the temperature stopped rising in 20 patients without infections 24 - 72 hours after the first treatment, and returned to normal after 48 - 120 hours. Among the 22 patients, new blisters stopped appearing 24 - 48 hours after the first treatment, the skin color changed from bright red to dark purple after 48 - 96 hours, and most skin lesions subsided after 2 weeks. After 2 - 4 weeks of treatment, levels of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase returned to normal in 19 patients with abnormal liver function. After 4 - 13 days of treatment, levels of creatinine and urea nitrogen stopped rising in 7 patients with abnormal renal function. During the treatment, the DASI score of the 22 patients gradually decreased ( F = 532.81, P < 0.01) , from 53.64 ± 8.67 before treatment to 2.05 ± 1.21 on day 25 after treatment ( t = 26.60, P < 0.001) . On day 10 after treatment, 22 patients (100%) achieved DASI50; on day 19, 22 (100%) achieved DASI75; on day 25, 20 (90.90%) achieved DASI90. The level of TNF-α in peripheral blood of the 22 patients gradually decreased along with the extension of treatment duration, from 33.95 ± 27.90 ng/L before treatment to 2.38 ± 0.79 ng/L on day 25. Before treatment, the level of TNF-α in blister fluid of 15 patients was 111.99 ± 99.41 ng/L, and the ratio of blister-fluid TNF-α level to peripheral blood TNF-α level was 1.83 - 28.21. Before treatment, no correlation was observed between the serum level of TNF-α and DASI score in the 22 patients ( P = 0.10) , while the blister-fluid TNF-α level was positively correlated with DASI score in the 15 patients ( r = 0.59, P = 0.02) . No acute adverse reactions were observed during the treatment. All the 22 patients completed the treatment and were discharged with complete recovery. During 6 months of follow-up after discharge, no recurrence or any complication was observed. Conclusion:rhTNFR:Fc is effective and safe for the treatment of drug-induced TEN.

Objective:To investigate the factors that could influence the particle size and size distribution of mRNA vaccines.Methods:The influences of several factors including the ionic strength and pH values of buffers, solutions, dilution folds and testing equipments on the particle size and size distribution of three batches of mRNA vaccines were analyzed by dynamic light scattering.Results:The particle size increased with increasing ionic strength, but no significant change in size distribution was observed. The particle size also increased with increasing pH values and the size distribution showed significant change when the buffer solution was weakly alkaline. Solution types could affect the particle size, but had no influence on size distribution. There was no significant change in the particle size or size distribution when the dilution was limited to 100 folds. Moreover, the particle size and size distribution detected by different equipments showed no significance difference.Conclusions:The particle size and size distribution of mRNA vaccines could be affected by solution, dilution fold and testing equipment, which should be concerned during the vaccine production and quality control.

Background In the context of improving urban environment for healthy aging, it is necessary to rationally plan and provide community living space and public service facilities suitable for the elderly, and constantly optimize the built environment towards an age-friendly city. Objective To understand the relationship between community built environment and obesity in the elderly in Longgang City, and to provide a reference basis for improving the health of the elderly. Methods Elderly adults aged 60-90 years (n=6527) who completed a physical examination during the period from October 2020 to January 2021 in Longgang City were surveyed, and data on height and weight, waist circumference (WC), and other sociological demographic characteristics were obtained. Overweight was determined by 24 kg·m⁻² ≤ body mass index (BMI) < 28 kg·m⁻² and obesity by BMI ≥ 28 kg·m⁻². Men with WC ≥ 85 cm and women with WC ≥ 80 cm were considered central obesity. Based on the participants' residential addresses, geocoding was performed using a geographic information system, and built environment indicators such as restaurants, convenience stores, and basic medical facilities were obtained using Gaode Map. A binary logistic regression model with adjusted individual-level covariates was used to evaluate the relationship between obesity and built environment indicators among elderly adults by gender and age. Results Among the 6527 community elderly, 46.93% were male and 53.07% were female, with a mean age of (73.69±0.07) years, a mean BMI of (24.32±2.84) kg·m⁻², and 51.92% of the elderly were overweight or obese. The regression results showed that for elderly men, the more convenience stores and the higher mixed land use in residential areas, the higher risk of central obesity; however, the increases in street connectivity and accessibility to parks and recreational areas were associated a decreased risk of central obesity. The prevalence of overweight/obesity was higher among elderly women with more convenience stores in residential areas, while increased street connectivity was associated with a lower prevalence of central obesity among elderly women. Accessibility to primary health care facilities was negatively associated with the risk of central obesity among the 60- to 70-year-olds. For elderly residents aged 71−80 years, higher mixed land use and better accessibility to transit stations were associated with a higher prevalence of overweight/obesity, while street connectivity was negatively associated with the central obesity. Proximity to parks and recreational areas was associated with a reduced risk of overweight/obesity among the 81- to 90-year-olds. Conclusion Among the variables of a 500-m neighborhood built environment, the number of convenience stores, mixed land use, street connectivity, accessibility to primary health care facilities, accessibility to public transit stations, and accessibility to parks and recreational areas are correlated with obesity among elderly residents, and the degree of influence varies by gender and age.