Effectiveness of induction therapy with exclusive enteral nutrition in pediatric Crohn's disease / 中国当代儿科杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To evaluate the effectiveness of induction therapy with exclusive enteral nutrition (EEN) in pediatric Crohn's disease (CD).@*METHODS@#A retrospective analysis was performed on the medical data of 62 children with CD who received EEN in Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, from March 2013 to August 2021. The medical data included general information and height, weight, Pediatric Crohn's Disease Activity Index (PCDAI), Crohn's Disease Endoscopic Index of Severity, C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and serum albumin level before treatment and after 8 weeks of treatment. The changes in the above indicators were compared before and after treatment.@*RESULTS@#Among the 62 children with CD, there were 39 boys (63%) and 23 girls (37%), with a mean age of (11.9±3.0) years at diagnosis. Among the 55 children who completed EEN treatment for at least 8 weeks, 48 (87%) achieved clinical remission at week 8. PCDAI at week 8 was significantly lower than that before treatment (P<0.001). Except for 17 children with involvement of the small intestine alone and 3 children with involvement of the colon who did not receive colonoscopy reexamination, the remaining 35 children with involvement of the colon received colonoscopy reexamination after the 8-week EEN treatment. Of the 35 children, 29 (83%) achieved mucosal healing. As for the 48 children who achieved clinical remission at week 8, there were significant improvements in height-for-age Z-score and body mass index-for-age Z-score at week 8 (P<0.01). As for the 7 children who did not achieve clinical remission at week 8, there were no significant changes in height-for-age Z-score and body mass index-for-age Z-score at week 8 (P>0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#The 8-week EEN treatment has a good effect on clinical remission and mucosal healing in children with CD. For the children with CD achieving clinical remission, EEN can improve their height and body mass index.

Construction and mechanism of dry eye model in mice with ocular surface iron overload / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM: To establish a dry eye mouse model of iron overload by intraperitoneal injection of iron dextran and preliminarily explore its possible mechanism.METHODS: A total of 40 male C57BL/6 mice(taking the right eye as the experimental eye)were divided into 4 groups by random number table method: There were 10 mice in the control group, each time by intraperitoneal injection of 0.2mL of normal saline; Low-dose group, middle-dose group and high-dose iron group with 10 mice in each group were the model group. Each time, 0.2mL of iron dextran solution with concentrations of 12.5, 25, and 50 mg/mL was injected intraperitoneally. One injection 3d for a total of 28d. We observed the ocular surface inflammation index, corneal fluorescein staining, tear break-up time(BUT)and Schimer I test(SIt)on the 7, 14 and 28d after injection and evaluated the degree of dry eye and ocular surface inflammation. After 28d, the mice were sacrificed for cornea, conjunctiva and lacrimal glands tissue for HE staining, Prussian blue staining and tissue iron detection, to evaluate the inflammatory reaction and iron overload. The expression of inflammatory factors interleukin-1β(IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)and matrix metallo proteinase-9(MMP-9)were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the mice in the model group showed a series of dry eye symptoms, the inflammation index of ocular surface in mice were increased, the score of corneal fluorescein staining increased, the BUT shortened and the amount of tear secretion decreased(all P&#x003C;0.05). The cornea, conjunctiva and lacrimal gland tissues of the mice were damaged to varying degrees, the iron deposition on the eye surface of the model group was more serious than that of the control group, and the iron content of the tissue was significantly increased than the control group(all P&#x003C;0.01). The contents of inflammatory factors(IL-1β, TNF-α, MMP-9)in the cornea, conjunctiva and lacrimal gland tissue of the mice in the model group were significantly higher than those of the control group(all P&#x003C;0.01). With the increase of injection time and concentration of iron dextran, the degree of dry eye and ocular surface inflammation in mice gradually increased. CONCLUSION: The mouse iron overload dry eye model was successfully established by intraperitoneal injection of iron dextran, the mechanism may be related to the ocular surface inflammation aggravated by iron overload.

Efferocytosis impacts ocular surface inflammation in high-iron environment by regulating macrophage polarization / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM: To explore whether efferocytosis impacts ocular surface inflammation in high-iron environment by regulating macrophage polarization. METHODS: A total of 50 healthy C57BL/6 male mice aged 6-8wk were randomly divided into normal control group, iron group, inhibitor group, enhancer group and solvent control group, with 10 mice in each group. The normal control group was injected intraperitoneally with 0.2mL of normal saline, and the other groups were injected intraperitoneally with 50mg/mL iron dextran of 0.2mL, once every 3d. From the 14d, the inhibitor group, the enhancer group and the solvent control group were injected intraperitoneally with the same volume(0.2mL)50mg/kg XMD8-92, 10mg/kg simvastatin and 50% DMSO solvent once a day, respectively. The anterior segment of the eyes was observed under slit lamp microscope on the 7, 14, 28d after intraperitoneal injection, and the ocular surface inflammation index and corneal fluorescein staining score were evaluated. The cornea, conjunctiva and lacrimal gland tissues were taken at 28d for the HE staining and immunofluorescence staining, and RT-PCR were used to detect the expression of macrophage polarization related indexes(CD86, CD206, iNOS, Arg-1); Western blot were used to detect the expression of efferocytosis related signal factors(Gas6, MerTK); ELISA was used to detect the expression of inflammatory factors(IL-1β, TNF-α, MMP-9).RESULTS: After injection for 28d, compared with the normal control group, the ocular surface inflammatory index and corneal fluorescein staining score were increased in the iron group and the solvent control group. HE staining showed incomplete corneal epithelium, reduced conjunctival goblet cells, unclear lacrimal gland structure and relatively disordered arrangement of cells. In all tissues, the expressions of polarization related indexes of M1 macrophages such as CD86 and iNOS were up-regulated, while those of M2 macrophages such as CD206 and Arg-1 were down-regulated, and the expressions of inflammatory factors such as IL-1β, TNF-α and MMP-9 were up-regulated(all P&#x003C;0.05). Compared with the iron group and the solvent control group, the ocular surface inflammation index and corneal fluorescein staining score of the inhibitor group were further increased. HE staining showed obvious exfoliation of corneal epithelium, further decrease or even disappearance of conjunctival goblet cells, disorder of lacrimal gland structure and irregular arrangement of cells. In all tissues, the expression of signal factors related to efferocytosis such as Gas6 and MerTK was down-regulated(all P&#x003C;0.05), the expression of polarization related indexes of M1 macrophages such as CD86 and iNOS and the expression of inflammatory factors such as IL-1β, TNF-α and MMP-9 were further up-regulated(all P&#x003C;0.05). But the ocular surface inflammation index and corneal fluorescein staining score decreased in the enhancer group. HE staining showed the integrity of corneal epithelial, the increase of conjunctival goblet cells and the improvement of lacrimal gland structure and morphology. In all tissues, the expression of signal factors related to efferocytosis such as Gas6 and MerTK was up-regulated(all P&#x003C;0.05), and the expression of polarization related indexes of M2 macrophages such as CD206 and Arg-1 was up-regulated, while the expression of inflammatory factors such as IL-1β, TNF-α and MMP-9 was down-regulated(all P&#x003C;0.05). CONCLUSION: High-iron environment induces macrophages polarize to M1, which aggravates ocular surface inflammation and tissue damage. Efferocytosis by regulating the polarization of macrophages impact the occurrence of ocular surface inflammation in high-iron environment.

Psychoactive substance abuse and associated factors among middle school students in Liaoning / 中国学校卫生

Objective@#To investigate psychoactive substance abuse and associated factors among middle school students in Liaoning, and to provide policy suggestions and reference opinions for relevant departments.@*Methods@#A questionnaire survey was conducted among 12 598 middle school students in 10 cities of Liaoning by multi stage stratified cluster sampling. Multivariate Logistic regression model was used to analyze associated factors of psychoactive substance abuse.@*Results@#About 0.94% ( n =118) of all participants reported substance abuse behavior, the highest abuse rate was in the third grade students in vocational middle school, the most common psychoactive substance was “laughing balloon”, accounting for 0.57%. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis revealed that girls, moderate academic burden were generally negatively associated with more psychoactive substance use( OR = 0.57 , 0.58, P <0.05). Academic performance class was ranked in the last ten, monthly pocket money more than 500 yuan and sleep with medication were generally positively associated with more psychoactive substance use ( OR =1.93, 2.52, 4.29, P < 0.05 ).@*Conclusion@#The problem of psychoactive substance abuse among middle school students can not be ignored. Effective prevention and control of psychoactive substance abuse can be achieved through publicity, education, awareness raising, early intervention, counseling and treatment, and through coordination of adolescents, families, schools, government and the society.

The effects of casein kinase 2 interacting protein-1 on the growth and development of craniomaxillofacial soft and hard tissues in mice / 口腔疾病防治

Objective@# To investigate the effect of casein kinase 2 interacting protein-1 (CKIP-1) on craniofacial soft tissues and hard tissues, to provide the basis for the study and treatment of craniomaxillofacial related diseases.@*Methods@#6-month- old male CKIP-1 knockout (KO) mice were selected as the experimental group, and wild-type (WT) mice were selected as the control group. The craniomaxillofacial hard tissues (parietal bone, nasal bone, incisors and molars) were analyzed through micro- CT, and the morphological changes of maxillofacial soft tissues (nasal cartilage, lip mucosa and tongue) were analyzed through HE staining and toluidine blue staining.@* Results@#CKIP-1 negatively regulated bone mass of cancellous bone of cranial and maxillofacial bones and dentin mineralization. Compared with the WT mice, the thickness of the parietal baffle layer increased by 93% in KO mice, while cortical bone showed no significant difference between the two groups. The nasal cancellous bone thickness increased by 160% in KO-mice, while cortical bone showed no significant difference between the two groups; the enamel thickness was normal, but the pulp cavity became smaller and the dentin thickness increased by 48%. Compared with the WT mice, the HE staining and toluidine blue staining analyses of the soft tissues revealed that the thickness of the alar cartilage plate of KO mice increased by 57%, and local ossification was found within the cartilage plate. The thickness of the keratinized layer of the labial mucosa increased by 170% in KO mice and the muscle fiber diameter of the lingual muscle increased by 45%. @*Conclusion@#CKIP-1 genes have different effects on the growth and development of various soft and hard tissues in the maxillofacial region of mice.

Health literacy and associated factors of freshmen from Jiangsu Province during 2017 and 2018 / 中国学校卫生

Objective@#To understand health literacy and associated factors of freshmen from Jiangsu Province, and to provide reference for youth health education.@*Methods@#From 2017 October to 2018 October, a total of 15 602 college freshman were randomly selected from 20 universities in Jiangsu Province via stratified cluster sampling method. Structural questionnaires were used to investigate the status of health literacy. The χ 2 test and multivariate Logistic regression model were used to analyze the influencing factors of health literacy.@*Results@#The health literacy level of college freshmen from Jiangsu Province was 20.2%, among which the literacy levels of knowledge, behavior and skills were 23.0%, 30.7% and 31.5% respectively. The literacy levels of the six public health issues, including safety and first aid, scientific health attitude, knowledge of prevention and treatment of infectious diseases, health information, basic health care, and prevention and treatment of chronic diseases, from high to low, were 72.8%, 58.7%, 28.5%, 28.2%, 20.3% and 15.9%, respectively. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis has showed that students from undergraduate colleges(OR=2.77, 95%CI=2.47-3.11), urban areas(OR=1.20, 95%CI=1.07-1.34), or southern Jiangsu regions(OR=1.10, 95%CI=1.00-1.22), being the only child(OR=1.13, 95%CI=1.03-1.25), higher maternal education level (OR=1.53, 95%CI=1.30-1.79), having both parents(OR=1.16, 95%CI=1.00-1.34), reported higher level of health literacy.@*Conclusion@#The three aspects and six dimensions of health literacy of college freshmen were unbalanced. Health literacy is a shared function of multiple factors including society, family, and individuals. It is essential to promote health education through more efforts on key issues, in order to effectively elevate the health literacy level of adolescent students.

Influence of ultrasound‐guided lauromacrogol foam sclerotherapy on peripheral blood levels of CEC , ET‐1 and NO in patients with saphenous vein varicosis／ / 心血管康复医学杂志

To explore influence of ultrasound‐guided lauromacrogol foam sclerotherapy on peripheral blood levels of counting of endothelial cells (CEC) , endothelin (ET)‐1 and nitric oxide (NO) in patients with sa‐phenous vein varicosis .Methods : A total of 90 patients with saphenous vein varicosis were randomly and equally di‐vided into lauromacrogol group (received ultrasound‐guided lauromacrogol foam sclerotherapy ) and routine treat‐ment group (received routine stripping ).Peripheral blood levels of CEC , ET‐1 and NO were observed and com‐pared between two groups before and after surgery , and therapeutic effect and incidence of complications were eval‐uated.Results : Compared with routine treatment group , there were significant reductions in surgery time [ (81. 79 ± 16.88) min vs .(40.55 ± 10. 19) min] , hospitalization time [(3.94 ± 1.36) d vs.(2. 17 ± 1.31) d] and hospital‐ization fee [ (7640. 15 ± 1025.11) RMB vs.(3998.89 ± 910. 67 ) RMB ] in lauromacrogol group , P＝ 0.001 all. Compared with routine treatment group after surgery , there were significant reductions in incidence rate of total complications (17.78% vs .4. 44%) , percentage of patient＇s condition class IV (17. 78% vs.4.44%) , peripheral blood levels of CEC [ (5562. 48 ± 1194. 73)／L vs.(4655.87 ± 1209. 88)／L] and ET‐1 [ (70. 32 ± 10.30) ng／L vs. (62.95 ± 13.78) ng／L] , and significant rise in percentage of patient’ s condition class I (6.67% vs.25. 00%) and peripheral blood NO level [(1.27 ± 0.42) μmol／L vs.(1. 59 ± 0.51) μmol／L] in lauromacrogol group , P＜0. 05 or＜0. 01. Conclusion : Ultrasound‐ guided lauromacrogol foam sclerotherapy can significantly increase therapeutic effect , improve vascular endothelial function in patients with saphenous vein varicosis .And its complications are few .

Inflammatory bowel disease with growth hormone deficiency in adolescents: an analysis of 4 cases and literature review / 中国当代儿科杂志

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic recurrent non-specific inflammatory disease in the intestinal tract. About 10%-56% of children with Crohn's disease and about 10% of children with ulcerative colitis have growth retardation. This study reports four adolescents with IBD and growth hormone deficiency who were diagnosed with Crohn's disease. There were three boys and one girl, with an age of 11.0-13.9 years and a disease duration of 11-85 months at diagnosis. The four patients had the involvement of the small intestine only, the colon only, both the small intestine and the upper gastrointestinal tract, and both the small intestine and the colon respectively. The pediatric Crohn's disease activity index ranged from 27.5 to 45 points. All four patients had a height-for-age Z-score (HAZ) of <-2, and the growth hormone provocative test suggested growth hormone deficiency. Of all four patients, two received recombinant human growth hormone combined with infliximab, one received infliximab only, and one received recombinant human growth hormone combined with mercaptopurine. All four patients had an improvement in HAZ after treatment.

The hepatic ectonucleotide pyrophosphatase/phosphodiesterase 1 gene mRNA abundance is reduced by insulin and induced by dexamethasone

Hormones regulate hepatic gene expressions to maintain metabolic homeostasis. Ectonucleotide pyrophosphatase/phosphodiesterase 1 has been thought to interfere with insulin signaling. To determine its potential role in the regulation of metabolism, we analyzed its gene (Enpp1) expression in the liver of rats experiencing fasting and refeeding cycles, and in primary rat hepatocytes and human hepatoma HepG2 cells treated with insulin and dexamethasone using northern blot and real-time PCR techniques. Hepatic Enpp1 expression was induced by fasting and reduced by refeeding in the rat liver. In primary rat hepatocytes and HepG2 hepatoma cells, insulin reduced Enpp1 mRNA abundance, whereas dexamethasone induced it. Dexamethasone disrupted the insulin-reduced Enpp1 expression in primary hepatocytes. This is in contrast to the responses of the expression of the cytosolic form of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase gene to the same hormones, where insulin reduced it significantly in the process. In addition, the dexamethasone-induced Enpp1 gene expression was attenuated in the presence of 8-Br-cAMP. In conclusion, we demonstrated for the first time that hepatic Enpp1 is regulated in the cycle of fasting and refeeding, a process that might be attributed to insulin-reduced Enpp1 expression. This insulin-reduced Enpp1 expression might play a role in the development of complications in diabetic patients.

Quantitative detection of the KRAS gene mutation in circulating tumor DNA for patients with colorectal cancer / 基础医学与临床

Objective To establish a liquid biopsy technique of KRAS gene G12D mutation and to assess its diagnostic value. Methods KRAS G12D mutation was analyzed by ddPCR in plasma DNA from 52 colorectal cancer patients and compared that of to 80 healthy subjects. KRAS gene sequencing in cancerous tissue of colorectal cancer patient being set as a golden standard, we evaluated the accuracy of ddPCR and analyzed the correlation between G12D mutation rate, plasma concentration;and their clinical manifestations in CRC. Results ddPCR indicated that KRAS G12D mutation rate and concentration(26.92％, 81.5 copies/mL) in the plasma samples of colorectal cancer patients were significantly higher than that of healthy subjects (8.75％, 16 copies/mL). Colorectal cancer patients with highly differentiated adenocarcinoma showed a significantly higher number of mutant copies than medium and low differentiated adenocarcinoma(P＜0.05);M2 patients had a significantly higher number of mutant copies than N1 and NO patients (P＜0.05);The concordance rate of KRAS gene mutation between cancerous tissue and plasma ctDNA was 87.50％ in CRC.Conclusions ddPCR is a fast, noninvasive and accurate method for plasma testing of ctDNA, and the test results could be used to monitor the course of the disease and as clinical guidelines.

Clinical features and prognosis of gastrointestinal injury due to foreign bodies in the upper gastrointestinal tract in children: a retrospective analysis of 217 cases / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the clinical features and prognosis of gastrointestinal injury caused by foreign bodies in the upper gastrointestinal tract in children.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A retrospective analysis was performed for the clinical data of 217 children who were diagnosed with foreign bodies in the upper gastrointestinal tract complicated by gastrointestinal injury by gastroscopy from January 2011 to December 2016, including clinical features, gastroscopic findings, complications, and prognosis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Among the 217 children, 114 (52.5%) were aged 1-3 years. The most common foreign body was coin (99/217, 45.6%), followed by hard/sharp-edged food (45/217, 20.7%) and metal (35/217, 16.1%). The most common gastrointestinal mucosal injury was ulceration (43.8%), followed by erosion (33.2%). Compared with other foreign bodies, button cells were significantly more likely to cause esophageal perforation (P<0.01). The esophagus was the most commonly injured organ (207/217, 95.4%). Of all the 217 children, 24 (11.1%) experienced infection. The children with perforation caused by foreign bodies had a significantly higher incidence rate of infection than those with ulceration caused by foreign bodies (P=0.003). Of all the 217 children, 204 (94.0%) underwent successful endoscopic removal of foreign bodies. Among these children, 98 were hospitalized due to severe mucosal injury and were given anti-infective therapy, antacids, and supportive care including enteral nutrition through a nasogastric tube and/or parenteral nutrition. Of all the children, 10 left the hospital and were lost to follow-up, and all the other children were improved and discharged.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Most cases of foreign bodies in the upper gastrointestinal tract occur at 1-3 years of age. Coin, hard/sharp-edged food, and metal are the most common foreign bodies. Button cells are more likely to cause esophageal perforation. The incidence rate of secondary infection increases with the increasing severity of gastrointestinal mucosal injury. Children undergoing endoscopic removal of foreign bodies and enteral nutrition through a nasogastric tube tend to have a good prognosis.</p>

Diagnosis and treatment of prostatic malignant mesenchymal tumors: Analysis of 20 cases / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of prostatic malignant mesenchymal tumors (PMMT).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We retrospectively analyzed the clinical and follow-up data about 20 cases of PMMT and reviewed the literature relevant to the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of the disease.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Based on the results of pathology and immunohistochemistry, the 20 PMMT cases included leiomyosarcoma (n = 7), rhabdomyosarcoma (n = 5), prostatic stromal sarcoma (n = 3), chondrosarcoma (n = 1), and undifferentiated PMMT (n = 4). Twelve of the patients were treated by radical prostatectomy (3 concurrently by sigmoid colostomy and 1 by cystostomy), 2 by pelvic tumor resection following arterial embolization, 1 by total pelvic exenteration, 1 by colostomy with pelvic lymph node biopsy, and 4 by conservative therapy because of metastasis to the lung, pelvis and bone. Of the 20 patients, 9 died of systemic metastasis within 3 months after treatment, 3 died at 6, 7, and 14 months, respectively, 3 survived with tumor for 5, 11, and 12 months, respectively, 2 survived without tumor for 12 and 24 months so far, all subjected to periodic chemotherapy postoperatively, and 3 lost to follow-up.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>PMMT is a tumor of high malignancy and rapid progression, for which transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsy remains the main diagnostic method. The clinical stage of the tumor is an important factor influencing its prognosis and the survival rate of the patients can be improved by early diagnosis and combined therapy dominated by radical prostatectomy.</p>

Comparison of ultrasound-guided transrectal and transperineal prostate biopsies in clinical application / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the positive rates and complications of ultrasound-guided transrectal and transperineal prostate biopsies.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We retrospectively analyzed 156 cases of ultrasound-guided transrectal (n = 97) and transperineal (n = 59) prostate biopsy, and compared the positive rate and post-biopsy complications between the two approaches.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The positive rates in the transrectal and transperineal groups were 48.4% and 44.1%, respectively, with no significant difference between the two approaches according to different PSA levels (P >0.05). No statistically significant differences were observed between the transrectal and transperineal groups in the post-biopsy incidence rates of such complications as hematuria (54.6% vs 42.4%, P >0.05), lower urinary tract symptoms (17.5% vs 22.0%, P >0.05), dysuria (9.3% vs 6.8%, P >0.05), and acute urinary retention (7.2% vs 6.8%, P >0.05). However, the incidence rates of post-biopsy infection and rectal bleeding were remarkably higher (15.5% vs 3.4%, P<0.05 and 50.5% vs 3.4%, P >0.01) while that of perineal swelling markedly lower in the former than in the latter (3.1% vs 13.6%, P <0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Transrectal and transperineal biopsies are both effective for the diagnosis of prostate cancer. Since their complications vary, the choice between the two methods depends on the specific condition of the patient.</p>

Association between vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms and pediatric Crohn's disease in China: a study based on gene sequencing / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the association between TaqI, BsmI, and ApaI polymorphisms of vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene and pediatric Crohn's disease (CD) in China.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Nineteen children with CD were selected as a case group, and 122 healthy children who underwent physical examination were selected as a control group. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 [25(OH)D3] levels were measured using ELISA. The TaqI, BsmI, and ApaI polymorphisms of VDR gene were determined by gene sequencing, and the two groups were compared in terms of genotype and allele frequencies.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The case group had significantly lower serum 25(OH)D3 levels than the control group (17.3±2.4 ng/mL vs 26.9±2.1 ng/mL; P<0.05). There were no significant differences in the frequencies of genotypes and alleles of TaqI, BsmI, and ApaI polymorphisms between the case and control groups (P>0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Children with CD have low serum 25(OH)D3 levels. TaqI, BsmI, and ApaI polymorphisms of VDR gene may not be associated with susceptibility to CD among the Chinese population.</p>

Association between the eNOS gene polymorphisms and rheumatoid arthritis risk in a northern Chinese population / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Several genetic polymorphisms in the endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) gene are associated with the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The objective of the present study was to investigate whether the two SNPs (T-786C and G894T) of the eNOS gene are associated with rheumatoid arthritis risk in a northern Chinese population.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>In this study, the eNOS genes T-786C and G894T were studied in 196 cases with rheumatoid arthritis and 201 healthy controls with gender, age and ethnicity matched. The two SNPs were genotyped using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). The analyses of association were statistically compared using the chi-square test with SPSS software for Windows.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The frequency of the -786C allele was significantly higher in the rheumatoid arthritis patients than in the healthy controls (19.64% vs. 14.18%, P < 0.05). However, the 894T allele of the eNOS gene was not increased in the rheumatoid arthritis patients compared to the healthy controls.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Individuals with the -786CC genotype have an increased risk of rheumatoid arthritis. Further study with an increased sample size is necessary for the study of the role of this SNP in rheumatoid arthritis.</p>

Rapid detection of clarithromycin resistant Helicobacter pylori from children's gastric biopsy specimens by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism / 中华儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Infection with clarithromycin-resistant Helicobacter pylori (Hp) is often predictive of treatment failure. Susceptibility testing for Hp could guide therapy of Hp infections. However, agar dilution approved by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) to test for antimicrobial susceptibility of Hp is time consuming (results are often not available in a week or more). So a more expeditious method is necessary. The purpose of this study was to evaluate polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) test performed directly on gastric biopsy specimen from children to detect 23S rRNA mutations (A2143G and A2144G) indicating clarithromycin resistance.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>All biopsy specimens were derived from patients presenting with upper gastrointestinal symptoms, submitted to endoscopy in the Affiliated Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine from September 2006 to February 2007. No patients had undergone eradication therapy. Thirty-nine samples randomly selected from positive specimens by rapid urease test, were homogenized in 500 microl brucella broth with 30% glycerol. The 200 microl homogenized fluid was used to purify genomic DNA with the kit according to the instructions provided by manufacturer, and the rest was used to isolate Hp strains by culturing. All the Hp isolates were tested for clarithromycin susceptibility with the agar dilution and classified as resistant if the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) exceeded 1 microg/ml. Simultaneously, PCR-RFLP analysis was performed in order to identify 23S rRNA mutations (A2143G and A2144G). Finally, the two methods were compared by statistics. The agar dilution was used as a standard to determine the sensitivity and specificity of the PCR-RFLP assay.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Of the 39 samples, agar dilution and PCR-RFLP method respectively detected 13 (33.3%) and 14 (35.9%) clarithromycin-resistant gastric specimens. The sensitivity and specificity of PCR-RFLP for the detection of Hp in biopsy specimens were both 92%. The positive and negative predictive value was 85.7% and 96% respectively. No statistically significant difference was found between the two methods (chi2=0.06, P>0.05). The rate of Hp resistance to clarithromycin significantly increased compared with a previous report from the authors' hospital in 2004 (chi2=6.20, P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Rising clarithromycin resistance rates were observed in children who visited the authors' hospital. PCR-RFLP test is reliable and rapid for detection of clarithromycin resistance directly on gastric biopsy specimen from children and may help choose appropriate antibiotic in Hp eradication therapy.</p>

Pathogenic effects of primary duodenogastric reflux on gastric mucosa of children / 中华儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Duodenogastric reflux (DGR) is a reverse flow of duodenal juice into stomach through pylorus composed of bile acid, pancreatic secretion, and intestinal secretion. The increased entero-gastric reflux results in mucosal injury that may relate not only to reflux gastritis but also esophagitis, gastric ulcers, carcinoma of stomach and esophagus. However, the exact mechanisms of gastric mucosal damage caused by DGR are still unknown. The objective of the present study is to investigate the pathogenic effect of primary DGR on gastric mucosa in children, and to explore the correlation of DGR with clinical symptoms, Hp infection and intragastric acidity.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Totally 81 patients with upper gastrointestinal manifestations were enrolled and they were graded according to the symptom scores and underwent endoscopic, histological examinations and 24-hour intra-gastric bilirubin was monitored with Bilitec 2000. Of the 81 cases, 51 underwent the 24-hour intra-gastric pH monitoring by ambulatory pH recorder simultaneously. The total fraction time of bile reflux was considered as a marker to evaluate the severity of DGR. The total fraction time of bile reflux was compared between the patients with positive and negative results under endoscopy and histologically, respectively. The correlations of the total fraction time of bile reflux with clinical symptom score, Hp infection, intragastric acidity were analyzed respectively.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The total fraction time of bile reflux in the patients with hyperemia and yellow stain gastric antral mucosa under endoscopy was significantly higher than that without those changes [17.1% (0.5% approximately 53.2%) vs. 6.5% (0 approximately 58.6%), Z = -1.980, P < 0.05; 19.8% (0.5% approximately 58.6%) vs. 8.8% (0 approximately 38.0%), Z = -2.956, P < 0.01 respectively]. Histologically, the cases with intestinal metaplasia had significantly higher total fraction time of bile reflux than in the cases without intestinal metaplasia [29.0% (1.9% approximately 58.6%) vs. 14.3% (0 approximately 53.7%), Z = -2.026, P < 0.05], but no significant difference was found either between the cases with and without chronic inflammation (P > 0.05) or between the cases with and without active inflammation (P > 0.05). The severity of bile reflux was positively correlated with the score of abdominal distention (r = 0.258, P < 0.05), but no correlation with either the severity of intragastric acid (r = -0.124, P > 0.05), or Hp infection (r = 0.016, P > 0.05) was found.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Primary DGR could cause gastric mucosal lesions manifested mainly as hyperemia and bile-stained gastric antral mucosa under endoscopy and the gastric antral intestinal metaplasia histologically in children. There was no significant correlation between DGR and gastric mucosal inflammatory infiltration. DGR had no relevance to Hp infection and intragastric acidity. We conclude that DGR is probably an independent etiological factor and might play a synergistic role in the pathogenesis of gastric mucosal lesions along with gastric acid and Hp infection.</p>

Preliminary study on in-vitro induction of antibiotic resistance in Helicobacter pylori strains isolated from children / 中华儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Many clinical studies indicated that Helicobacter pylori (Hp) strains rarely acquired resistance to amoxicillin but easily to clarithromycin and metronidazole. However, it was unclear whether the antibiotic resistance of Hp strains was induced or passively selected during long-term or frequent treatment with metronidazole, clarithromycin and amoxicillin. To compare the propensity of acquired resistance to antibiotics, Hp strains were exposed to amoxicillin, clarithromycin and metronidazole in vitro in this study.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>All Hp strains were clinical isolates, derived from biopsy specimens of patients taken during endoscopy in the Affiliated Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine from December 2004 to July 2005. To seek susceptible strains, the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of the three antibiotics were determined by using Epsilometer test (E-test) method. In vitro induction was carried out on serially doubling concentrations of antibiotics incorporated into agar. Isolates were also transferred at least three times on antimicrobial agent-free medium, followed by a redetermination of the final MICs to assess the stability of the selected resistance.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>7 strains were exposed to antibiotics in vitro. After 6 - 17 passages on antibiotic plates, 7 and 3 strains respectively acquired resistance to metronidazole and clarithromycin, while none of the strains were resistant to amoxicillin. The inductive folds were different among three groups: 8 - 128 folds in metronidazole group; 1 - 256 folds in clarithromycin group; 2 - 16 folds in amoxicillin group. After three transfers on antimicrobial agent-free medium, the MICs decreased significantly in amoxicillin group (P < 0.05) but had no change in metronidazole group and clarithromycin group (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The metronidazole resistance in Hp was easily selected. Strains resistant to clarithromycin could be selected, but the amoxicillin resistance could not be selected after in vitro induction for Hp isolated from children. The correlation between in vitro and in vivo outcomes suggests that acquired resistance was the main cause for the resistance in Hp strains. The laboratory results of in vitro antibiotic induction could help predict the actual rate of resistance and select appropriate antibiotics for treatment.</p>

Expression of Nkx3.1 enhances 17beta-estradiol anti-tumor action in PC3 human prostate cancer cells / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>AIM</b>To explore whether the anti-tumor action of 17beta-estradiol is enhanced by re-expression of the homeodomain transcription factor Nkx3.1 in PC3 human prostate cancer cells.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>PC3 cells were stably transfected with pcDNA3.1-Nkx3.1-His vector, which carries a full-length cDNA of human Nkx3.1. The PC3 cells stably transfected with vector pcDNA3.1 were set as a control. The expression of Nkx3.1 protein in the cells was confirmed by Western blot analysis. The effect of Nkx3.1 on cell proliferation of PC3 cells was examined with MTT assay. The antiproliferative and apoptotic effects of 17beta-estradiol alone or in combination with Nkx3.1 were estimated on PC3 cells by using MTT growth tests and flow cytometric analyses. The expression of apoptosis-related proteins was analyzed using Western blotting.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The plasmid carrying Nkx3.1 gene induced high expression of Nkx3.1 protein in PC3 cells. The re-expression of exogenous Nkx3.1 did not cause a significant reduction in cellular proliferation, whereas the expression of Nkx3.1 enhanced the 17beta-estradiol anti-proliferative effect in PC3 cells. Nkx3.1 expression promoted 17beta-estradiol-induced apoptosis of PC3 cells, as shown by analysis of Bcl-2, Bax, Caspase-3 and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase expression.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The present study demonstrates that re-expression of Nkx3.1 enhances 17beta-estradiol anti-tumor action in PC3 human prostate cancer cells. The in vitro study suggests that re-expression of Nkx3.1 is worthy of further consideration as an adjuvant treatment of androgen independent prostate cancer with estrogen anti-tumor therapies.</p>

Sexual-nerve-Sparing radical cystectomy: experience with 32 cases / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the effect of sexual-nerve-sparing radical cystectomy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty-two male patients were treated with sexual-nerve-sparing radical cystectomy in our hospital in the past 5 years. The age of the patients ranged from 38 to 72 years, with the course of the disease ranging from 2 days to 20 years. All of them were potent preoperatively. Radical cystectomy was performed antegradely and retrogradely with the neurovascular bundle spared.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The patients were followed up for 6 to 54 months, 3 achieved sexual activity of Grade I, 6 Grade II and 23 Grade III after the operation. The recovery time of erectile function ranged from 2 to 14 months, averaging at 4. 5 months.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Whenever condition suits, sexual-nerve-sparing radical cystectomy is to be strongly recommended.</p>