Sex difference has shown in the arthritis diseases in human population and animal models. We investigate how the sex and symmetry vary among mouse models with different genomic backgrounds. Disease data of sex and limbs accumulated in the past more than two decades from four unique populations of murine arthritis models were analyzed. They are (1) interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) deficient mice under Balb/c background (Balb/c KO); (2) Mice with collagen II induced arthritis under DBA/1 background; (3) Mice with collagen II induced arthritis under C57BL/6 (B6) background and (4) A F2 generation population created by Balb/c KO X DBA/1 KO.Our data shows that there is a great variation in sexual dimorphism for arthritis incidence and severity of arthritis in mice harboring specific genetic modifications. For a F2 population, the incidence of arthritis was 57.1% in female mice and 75.6% in male mice. There was a difference in severity related to sex in two populations: B6.DR1/ B6.DR4 (P < 0.001) and F2 (P = 0.023) There was no difference Balb/c parental strain or in collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) in DBA/1 mice. Among these populations, the right hindlimbs are significantly higher than the scores for the left hindlimbs in males (P < 0.05). However, when examining disease expression using the collagen induced arthritis model with DBA/1 mice, sex-dimorphism did not reach statistical significance, while left hindlimbs showed a tendency toward greater disease expression over the right. Sexual dimorphism in disease expression in mouse models is strain and genomic background dependent. It sets an alarm that potential variation in sexual dimorphism among different racial and ethnic groups in human populations may exist. It is important to not only include both sexes and but also pay attention to possible variations caused by disease expression and response to treatment in all the studies of arthritis in animal models and human populations.

Animals ; Mice ; Colon ; Histological Techniques

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathological features, immunophenotype, molecular features and differential diagnosis of primary synovial sarcoma of the lung (PSSL). Methods: Twelve cases of PSSL were collected at Henan Provincial People's Hospital, during May 2010 and April 2021, and their clinicopathological parameters were summarized. SS18-SSX, H3K27Me3, and SOX2 were added to the original immunomarkers to evaluate their diagnostic value for PSSL. Results: The age of 12 patients when diagnosed ranged from 32 to 75 years (mean of 50 years). There were 7 males and 5 females, 2 left lung cases and 10 right lung cases. Of the 6 patients who underwent surgical resection, five cases were confined to lung tissue (T1), one case had mediastinal invasion (T3), two cases had regional lymph node metastasis (N1), and none had distal metastasis. Microscopically, 11 cases showed monophasic spindle cell type and one case showed biphasic type composed of mainly epithelial cells consisting of cuboidal to columnar cells with glandular and cribriform structures. It was difficult to make the diagnosis by using the biopsy specimens. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) showed CKpan expression in 8 of 12 cases; EMA expression in 11 of 12 case; TLE1 expression in 8 of 12 cases; S-100 protein expression in two of 12 cases; various expression of bcl-2 and vimentin in 12 cases, but no expression of SOX10 and CD34 in all the cases. The Ki-67 index was 15%-30%. The expression of SS18-SSX fusion antibody was diffusely and strongly positive in all 12 cases. SOX2 was partially or diffusely expressed in 8 of 12 cases, with strong expression in the epithelial component. H3K27Me3 was absent in 3 of 12 cases. SS18 gene translocation was confirmed by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) test in all 12 samples. Six cases underwent surgery and postoperative chemotherapy, while the other six cases had chemotherapy alone. Ten patients were followed up after 9-114 months, with an average of 41 months and a median of 26 months. Five patients survived and five died of the disease within two years. Conclusions: PSSL is rare and has a broad morphological spectrum. IHC and molecular tests are needed for definitive diagnosis. Compared with current commonly used IHC markers, SS18-SSX fusion antibody has better sensitivity to PSSL, which could be used as an alternative for FISH, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction or next generation sequencing in the diagnosis of PSSL.
Male ; Female ; Humans ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Biomarkers, Tumor/analysis* ; Sarcoma, Synovial/diagnosis* ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; Histones/genetics* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins/metabolism* ; Oncogene Proteins, Fusion/genetics* ; Repressor Proteins/metabolism* ; Lung/pathology* ; Lung Neoplasms

Humans ; Castleman Disease/surgery* ; Liver

Adult ; Brain ; Brain Diseases ; Heat Stroke ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Retrospective Studies

Introduction: Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN) is a rare and aggressive hematologic malignancy derived from the precursors of plasmacytoid dendritic cells. This malignancy presents with various noticeable cutaneous lesions and usually occurs in elderly males. Cutaneous manifestations usually precede leukemic dissemination to the lymph nodes, bone marrow, and peripheral blood which is associated with poor prognosis. Case presentation: We present a case of a 60-year-old Filipino male with a four-month history of multiple hyperpigmented, reddish brown, firm, fixed, non-tender cutaneous nodules on the extremities, trunk, chest, and face. Two large masses was also noted on the left arm and left upper back..Tissue biopsy of the cutaneous mass showed Immunohistochemical stain findings positive for LCA, CD68, CD4, CD56, and CD123 which are compatible with BPDCN. Patient was initially asymptomatic with relatively normal blood count and was treated supportively but serial blood count monitoring showed worsening with progression to acute myelogenous leukemia. Patient was then started on the 7+3 protocol of cytarabine and idarubicine which provided flattening of the cutaneous nodules and improvement of blood counts. However, due to complications of the disease and the treatment, the patient succumbed to severe pulmonary infection and sepsis. Discussion: Due to the varied, non-specific cutaneous manifestations and the similarity in the morphology of the skin lesions with other cutaneous conditions along with the rarity of this disease, there is difficulty in establishing the diagnosis of BPDCN as well as standardizing its treatment. Immunohistochemical stains play an important role in confirming the diagnosis as well as ruling out other differential diagnoses to tailor appropriate treatment. Conclusion Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN) generally has a poor prognosis owing to the rapidity of its spread to the bone marrow and peripheral blood. Early diagnosis is essential to initiate early therapy and prevent progression.
Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute

Objective: To understand the disease progression and human leukocyte antigen (HLA) gene polymorphism of HIV-infected persons without disease progress for long term, also known as long-term non-progressors (LTNPs), in Henan province. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted in 48 LTNPs with complete detection and follow-up information during 2011-2016 in Henan. Changes of CD(4)(+)T cells counts (CD(4)) and viral load (VL) during follow-up period were discussed. Polymerase chain reaction-sequence-specific oligonucleotide probe (PCR-SSOP) was used for the analyses of HLA-A, HLA-B and HLA-DRB1 alleles between LTNPs and healthy controls. Results: From 2011 to 2016, forty-eight LTNPs showed a decrease of the quartile (P(25)-P(75)) of CD(4) from 601.00 (488.50-708.72)/μl to 494.00 (367.00-672.00)/μl, and the difference was significant (P<0.05). The increase of the quartile (P(25)-P(75)) of log(10)VL from 3.40 (2.87-3.97) to 3.48 (2.60-4.37), but the difference was not significant (P>0.05). HLA polymorphism analysis revealed that HLA-B*13:02 and HLA-B*40:06 were more common in LTNPs (P<0.05), while HLA-B*46:01 and HLA-DRB1*09:01 were more common in healthy controls (P<0.05). Conclusions: The CD(4) of LTNPs in Henan showed a downward trend year by year. HLA-B*13:02 and B*40:06 might be associated with delayed disease progression for HIV infected persons in Henan.
Adult ; Alleles ; Asian People/genetics* ; China ; Disease Progression ; Female ; HIV ; HIV Infections/virology* ; HIV-1/immunology* ; HLA-B Antigens/genetics* ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Retrospective Studies ; Viral Load

Bleeding after menopause raises suspicion of malignancy; more
Pseudomyxoma Peritonei

Objective: To understand the characteristics and dynamic of HIV-1 subtype distribution in men who have sex with men (MSM) in Guangzhou between 2008 and 2015. Methods: HIV-1 RNAs were extracted from serum samples of the individuals newly diagnosed with HIV-1 infection among MSM living in Guangzhou between 2008 and 2015. The pol gene segments of HIV-1 genome from these RNA samples were amplified by nested reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (nested-PCR) and were sequenced. Subsequently, the phylogenetic tree was reconstructed using pol sequences of samples and references together and the subtype of HIV-1 was determined. The distributions of HIV-1 subtypes detected in MSM with different demographic characteristics in different years were compared. Results: A total of 2 210 pol gene segments were successfully obtained from 2 473 serum samples of the MSM. The average age of 2 210 MSM was 30.19 years with standard deviation of 8.22 years, the unmarried MSM and those in Han ethnic group accounted for 73.39% and 90.81%, respectively. The proportion of subtype CRF07_BC (38.10%) was highest, followed by CRF01_AE (34.84%), CRF55_01B (14.62%), B (6.06%), URFs (3.58%), CRF59_01B (2.17%) and other subtypes (0.63%). The annual proportions of subtype B (P=0.000, 99%CI:0.000-0.000), CRF07_BC (χ(2)=14.965, P=0.036), CRF55_01B (χ(2)=18.161, P=0.011) and URFs (P=0.001, 99% CI: 0.000-0.001) were significantly different. The proportion of subtype B showed a gradual decrease from 14.08% to 4.33% (P=0.000, 99%CI: 0.000-0.000), while the proportion of URFs rapidly increased from 0% to 6.40% (P=0.000, 99% CI: 0.000-0.000). The rate of URFs was significantly higher in farmers and migrant workers than in other groups (P=0.017, 99%CI: 0.014- 0.020) and the rate of URFs was higher in individuals who had multi sexual partners (χ(2)=5.733, P=0.017). Conclusions: CRF07_BC and CRF01_AE were the predominant HIV-1 subtypes and multiple subtypes co-circulated among MSM in Guangzhou between 2008 and 2015. The recombinations of HIV-1 continue to occur in MSM. Strengthening behavioral intervention for farmers, migrant workers and individuals who have multi sexual partners has the important epidemiological significance against the emerging and circulating of the novel recombinant virus among MSM in Guangzhou.
China/epidemiology* ; Genes, pol ; Genotype ; HIV Infections/virology* ; HIV Seropositivity/genetics* ; HIV-1/isolation & purification* ; Homosexuality, Male ; Humans ; Male ; Phylogeny ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; RNA, Viral/blood* ; Sexual Behavior

Objective: To study the characteristics of social relations and relative factors among MSM in Guangzhou. Methods: Data was collected through a cross-sectional study in Guangzhou from November 2016 to May 2017. Sample size was estimated and participants were recruited from the voluntary counseling and testing services (VCT) which were set for MSM population, by nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Social ties and demographic characteristics of the respondents and their sexual partners were analyzed through both Chi square test and generalized estimating equations (GEE). Results: A total of 1 073 MSM, together with their nominated 4 301 partners were successfully recruited and involved in this study. Age (OR=1.2, P=0.01) and non-internet based intercourse (OR=1.65, P<0.01) were easy to form close relation with strong ties. Compared with MSM traditional venues (chess and cards room, tea room bathhouse, club), general public venue (bars, KTV, parks, shopping malls, schools, restaurants) (OR=1.46-3.12, P<0.01) showed close relation with strong ties. Our finding showed that MSM at the age of 18-25 preferred to build weak ties with the older MSM, while the 26-30-year-olds and 31-40-year-olds prefer to establish weak ties with younger partners but the 41-50-year-olds preferred to develop weak ties with one that were ten years younger. Conclusions: Clusters were noticed in the MSM populations when grouping and making friends with ones at different age. Characteristics regarding the relationship between sexual partners in choosing venues and ways of dating were different. Targeted intervention programs need to be explored innovatively.
Coitus ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Homosexuality, Male/psychology* ; Humans ; Interpersonal Relations ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Recreation ; Risk-Taking ; Schools ; Sexual Behavior ; Sexual Partners ; Social Behavior ; Surveys and Questionnaires