Role of the system of orexin/receptors in neurological diseases / 生理学报

The neuropeptide orexin is widely distributed in the nervous system. Previous studies showed that orexin is involved in the feeding behavior regulation by binding to its receptor 1 (OX1R) and receptor 2 (OX2R) to activate the downstream signaling pathway. Recent studies have demonstrated that the system of orexin and its receptors are also involved in important physiological processes such as sleep-wake, learning and memory, and pathological processes of various neurological diseases. In this review, we summarized the research progress on the function of the orexin and its receptor system in physiological and pathological processes, and revealed the correlation between orexin and nervous system diseases, in order to provide the theoretical guidance for the diagnosis and treatment of the related diseases in the future.

Clinical significance of the expression of eukaryotic initiation factor 4 E and mammalian target of rapamycin in esophageal squamous carcinoma tissues / 中华胃肠外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the clinical significance of eukaryotic initiation factor 4 E (eIF4E) and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) expressions in esophageal squamous carcinoma tissues.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Clinicopathological data and paraffin samples of resected tumor tissue from 148 patients with esophageal squamous carcinoma undergoing resection in our department between January 2010 and December 2012 were collected retrospectively. Expressions of eIF4E and mTOR were detected in above carcinoma tissues, counterpart para-carcinoma tissues (1 cm distance to carcinoma) and normal tissues (5 cm distance to carcinoma) with Western blot and immunohistochemistry. Their relevance with clinicopathological features was analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Expression of mTOR located mainly in cytoplasm and elF4E mainly in cellular membrane, presenting as yellow grains. These two markers showed strong expression in carcinoma tissues and weak or none in para-carcinoma tissues. In esophageal squamous carcinoma tissues, counterpart para-carcinoma tissues and normal tissues, mTOR protein expression was 85.8% (127/148), 35.1% (52/148) and 3.4% (5/148), eIF4E protein expression was 93.9% (139/148), 35.1% (52/148) and 12.8% (19/148), with a downtrend respectively (all P<0.05). Expressions of mTOR and eIF4E were associated with tumor invasion depth and lymphatic metastasis (all P<0.05), while mTOR expression was associated with differentiation degree (P=0.003), but eIF4E expression was not. Both expressions were not associated with gender, age, and tumor size (all P>0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Expressions of eIF4E and mTOR are up-regulated in esophageal squamous carcinoma tissues, which may be associated with tumor malignance and lymphatic metastasis of esophageal squamous carcinoma. Combined detection of two markers may be helpful to predict the tumor malignance and the prognosis of patients.</p>

Clinical features and correlation research of fever in systemic lupus erythematosus patients / 中华风湿病学杂志

ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical features of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients with fever and find out the related factors.MethodsData was collected by the same methods in the past ten years in fifteen hospitals in Jiangsu province and then the data wereretrospectively analyzed.The potentially possible risk factors of fever in SLE were selected and then analyzed by chi-square test,Wilcoxon rank sum test and Logistic regression analysis.ResultsAll 1762 patients were investigated.Seven hundred and twenty-nine had active fever.Age at hospitalization,initially treated patients,photosensitivity,serositis,nervous system involvement,generalized lymphadenopathy/hepatosplenomegaly,white blood cell count (WBC),haemoglobin (HB),erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR),C-reaction protein (CRP),alanine aminotransferase(ALT),albumin(ALB),serum creatinine (Scr),complement C3,anti-dsDNA antibodies positive rate,anti-Sm antibodies positive rate,SLEDAI score and past therapies were factors associatedwith SLE fever.Logistic regression analysis showed that abnormal WBC count (OR=1.396,95％CI 1.114-1.711,P=0.004),CRP(OR=1.005,95％CI 1.002-1.009,P=0.002),ALT(OR=1.003,95％CI 1.001-1.005,P=0.005),Scr (OR=0.997,95％CI0.995-0.999,P=0.007),HB (OR=0.986,95％CI 0.981-0.992,P=0.000),age (OR =0.984,95％ CI 0.974-0.993,P=0.001 ) and past usage of cyclophosphamide (CTX) (OR =0.557,95％CI 0.382-0.813,P=0.002) were correlated with SLE fever.ConclusionFever is one of the most common clinical manifestations of SLE patients.Leucopenia,elevated CRP levels,liver function abnormalities,anemia,younger age are risk factors for SLE fever,while renal impairment and past usage of CTX are protective factors.

Hemiazygos Continuation of Left Inferior Vena Cava Draining into the Right Atrium via Persistent Left Superior Vena Cava: A Variant of Polysplenia Syndrome Mimicking Aortic Dissection

We report a case of a 58 year-old male with polysplenia and left inferior vena cava draining into the right atrium via hemiazygous vein; the left superior vena cava and the coronary sinus in order. He presented dyspnea on exertion and atrial fibrillation. Originally, through findings of mediastinal widening in chest X-ray and the double lumen of the descending aorta in transesophageal echocardiography, he was erroneously diagnosed with aortic dissection. The anomalous venous connection was discovered via spiral CT and venography. We also found three to five small spleens via CT. We emphasize that normal left superior vena cava mimic aortic dissection on chest X-rays and transesophageal echocardiographys.

A Case of Listeria Monocytogenes Endocarditis in Apparently Healthy Adult

About 50 cases of Listeria monocytogenes endocarditis were reported in worldwide literature in 1950-1995. Though clinical and laboratory data suggest a similarity with other types of bacterial endocarditis, the prognosis is more unfavorable and the mortality rate is higher. However, there has not been a report in Korean literature. We report a case of 55 year-old male with rapidly progressive native aortic endocarditis caused by L. monocytogenes. He had neither history of underlying cardiac disease nor definitive predisposing factor. He presented mild dyspnes, chest pain and febrile sensation for a week. Echocardiography showed large vegetation in aortic valve and severe aortic regurgitation. L. monocytogenes grew on blood culture. We underwent artificial aortic valve replacement due to rapidly progessive heart failure. A thromboembolism occured at right femoral artery on postoperative 2nd day was removed successfully. He discharged without any sequellae.