Preliminary study of familial nonsyndromic tooth agenesis caused by ectodysplasin A mutation / 口腔疾病防治

Objective@# To explore the pathogenic genes in a Chinese family affected by nonsyndromic tooth agenesis so as to study the pathogenesis of oligodontia.@*Methods @# Hospital ethical approval and informed consent of the patients and family members were obtained. Clinical data of the proband and close family members were collected, peripheral venous blood was collected, and DNA was extracted. Gene sequencing was performed through whole-exome sequencing, and then the screened pathogenic genes were verified by Sanger sequencing. The three-dimensional structure of the mutant proteins was analyzed and compared with the wild-type using bioinformatics tools.@*Results@#The two patients with congenital majority tooth loss in this family were cousins, and there were no other patients with congenital majority tooth loss in the family. Besides congenital multiple tooth loss, the two patients had no obvious hair abnormalities, finger/toe abnormalities, sweating abnormalities or other abnormal manifestations of ectodermal tissue. We found a mutant gene that in this family by carrying out gene sequencing of the patients and their close family members. A novel EDA (ectodysplasin A) missense mutation c.983C>T (p. Pro328Leu) was identified, which changed the encoded amino acid from proline (Pro) to leucine (Leu). Analysis of the mutation site showed that the site was highly conserved, and three-dimensional structure modeling also found that it changed the structure of EDA. @* Conclusion@#A novel EDA missense variant (c.983C>T, p.Pro328Leu) was first identified in a Chinese family with nonsyndromic tooth agenesis, extending the mutation spectrum of the EDA gene.

Gelsolin inhibits autophagy by regulating actin depolymerization in pancreatic ductal epithelial cells in acute pancreatitis

Gelsolin (GSN) can sever actin filaments associated with autophagy. This study investigated how GSN-regulated actin filaments control autophagy in pancreatic ductal epithelial cells (PDECs) in acute pancreatitis (AP). AP was produced in a rat model and PDECs using caerulein (CAE). Rat pancreatic duct tissue and HPDE6-C7 cells were extracted at 6, 12, 24, and 48 h after CAE treatment. HPDE6-C7 cells in the presence of CAE were treated with cytochalasin B (CB) or silenced for GSN for 24 h. Pancreatic histopathology and serum amylase levels were analyzed. Cellular ultrastructure and autophagy in PDECs were observed by transmission electron microscopy after 24 h of CAE treatment. The expression of GSN and autophagy markers LC3, P62, and LAMP2 was evaluated in PDECs by immunohistochemistry and western blotting. Actin filaments were observed microscopically. Amylase levels were highest at 6 h of AP, and pancreatic tissue damage increased over time. Mitochondrial vacuolization and autophagy were observed in PDECs. CAE increased GSN expression in these cells over time, increased the LC3-II/LC3-I ratio and LAMP2 expression at 24 and 6 h of treatment, respectively, and decreased P62 expression at all time points. CB treatment for 24 h decreased the LC3-II/LC3-I ratio and LAMP2 expression, increased P62 levels, but had no impact on GSN expression in CAE-treated PDECs. CAE induced actin depolymerization, and CB potentiated this effect. GSN silencing increased the LC3-II/LC3-I ratio and LAMP2 expression and reduced actin depolymerization in CAE-treated PDECs. GSN may inhibit autophagosome biogenesis and autophagosome-lysosome fusion by increasing actin depolymerization in PDECs in AP.

Clinical features of children with Cunninghamella spp. infection: a case report and literature review / 南方医科大学学报

We report a case of mucormycosis induced by Cunninghamella spp. infection in a ten-year-old girl with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, who developed fever and respiratory symptoms after chemotherapy and was diagnosed with invasive fungal disease. Peripheral blood DNA sequences were analyzed using metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS), and by comparison with the Pathogens Metagenomics Database (PMDB), we identified Cunninghamella spp. with sequence number 514 as the pathogen. The patient was treated with amphotericin B combined with posaconazole and showed a favorable response. We searched Pubmed, Embase, CNKI, and Wanfang database for reports of cases of Cunninghamella spp. infection in children and retrieved 22 reported cases (including 12 males) with a median age of 13.5 (3-18) years. In these 22 cases, hematological malignancy was the most common underlying condition (19/22), and most of patients experienced an acute onset and rapid progression with respiratory symptoms (14/20) and fever (16/20) as the most common symptoms. CT imaging often showed unilateral lesions with varying imaging findings, including pulmonary nodules or masses, infiltrative changes, and pleural effusion. Definite diagnoses were established in 18 of the cases, and 4 had probable diagnoses; the lungs and skin were the most frequent organs compromised by the infection. A definite diagnosis of Cunninghamella spp. infection still relied on histopathological examination and fungal culture, but the molecular techniques including PCR and mNGS had shown potentials in the diagnosis. Almost all the cases received antifungal treatment after diagnosis (21/22), and 13 patients also underwent surgeries. Death occurred in 9 (42%) of the cases at a median of 19 (4-54) days after onset of the signs or symptoms. The patients receiving antifungal therapy combined with surgery had a high survival rate (9/13, 69%) than those with antifungal therapy alone (3/8, 37%). Invasive fungal disease is a common complication in immunoco-mpromised patients, but Cunninghamella spp. infection is rare and has a high mortality rate. In cases highly suspected of this disease, active diagnosis and early treatment are critical to improve the survival outcomes of the patients.

Intervention strategies for residual dizziness after successful repositioning maneuvers in benign paroxysmal positional vertigo: a single center randomized controlled trial / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

Objective: To compare the effects of different intervention strategies for the management of residual dizziness following successful canalith repositioning procedure (CRP) in patients with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). Methods: A total of 129 BPPV patients with residual dizziness following successful CRP were recruited during January 2019 and July 2019. They were randomly assigned into three groups with 43 cases in each group: the vestibular rehabilitation group received rehabilitation training for four weeks; betahistine group was given orally 12 mg betahistine three times a day for four weeks; and the control group had no specific treatment. The primary outcomes were daily activities and social participation assessed by the Vestibular Activities and Participation measure (VAP). Secondary outcomes includedbalance function assessed by sensory organization test (SOT) and the duration of residual symptoms. Stata15.0 software was used for statistical analysis. Results: The scores of VAP in the three groups decreased over time, but a more significant decrease was found in vestibular rehabilitation group. Further paired comparison showed that the difference between the vestibular rehabilitation group and the control group was of statistical significance (B=-3.88, χ2=18.29, P<0.01), while the difference between the betahistine group and the control group was not statistically significant (B=-0.96, χ2=1.16, P=0.28). The balance function of the three groups showed a trend of recovery over time, with no significant differences between groups (χ2=1.37, df=2, P>0.05). The median duration of residual dizziness for both vestibular rehabilitation and betahistine groups was 14 days, while that of control group was 19 days, with no significant difference between three groups[Log-rank (Mantel-Cox) test; χ2=1.82, df=2, P=0.40]. Conclusion: Vestibular rehabilitation can significantly improve the daily activities and social participation function in BPPV patients with residual symptoms following successful CRP, but its effects on shortening the duration of residual symptoms and promoting the recovery of balance function remain uncertain.

The event-related potentials study on attentional deployment in major depressive disorder / 中华行为医学与脑科学杂志

Objective:To investigate the attention deployment emotion regulation disorder and its neural mechanisms in major depressive disorder(MDD).Methods:Twenty-six MDD patients(MDD group) and twenty-nine healthy control individuals(control group) were enrolled in this study.The accuracy and reaction time were recorded in the attention deployment behavioral paradigm.Neuroscan 64 Brain Evoked Potentiometer was used to detect the N1 and P3 components of the above two groups of subjects.SPSS 16.0 software were used to analyze the data.Results:(1)In the accuracy of attention deployment paradigm, the group main effect was significant ( F=11.626, P=0.001), indicating that the MDD group (0.82±0.01) was significantly lower than the control group(0.89±0.01)( P=0.001). In the reaction time of attention deployment paradigm, the group main effect was significant( F=16.55, P<0.01), indicating that the MDD group (1 460.82±41.86)ms)was significantly higher than the control group(1 226.31±39.63)ms)( P<0.01). (2)In the event-related potential of attention deployment paradigm, the group main effect of N1 was not significant ( F=2.949, P=0.092), and the interaction between task and group was significant ( F=4.756, P=0.034), indicating that the N1 amplitude induced by the MDD group in the calculation task(-3.699±0.441)μV) was significantly smaller than that of the control group (-5.055±0.418)μV)( P=0.030). The group main effect of P3 was not significant ( F=1.165, P=0.285), and the interaction between task and image attributes was significant ( F=11.602, P=0.001), indicating that the P3 amplitude induced by negative images(2.757±0.438)μV) was significantly higher than that of neutral images (1.963±0.460)μV)( P=0.002). Conclusion:Patients with MDD have difficulty transferring attention in emotional strategies, and it occurs in the early stages.

Status of content analysis of pyrrolizidine alkaloids in food and herbs / 中国中药杂志

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids(PAs) are a group of naturally occurring alkaloids with a pyrrolizidine skeleton which can be found in about 3% of the world's flowering plants. It is notorious that PAs are cause the hepatoxic and genotoxic-carcinogenic effects by taking PA-containing herbs, food and dietary supplements. In order to control the poisoning caused by PAs, European Medicines Agency has set a limit of intake of PAs from herbal medicinal products at 0.007 μg of 1,2-unsaturated PAs/kg body weight. Nonetheless, a systematic overview of the amount of PAs in the herb has not been provided. Therefore, this paper is to systematically review the current status of PAs content analysis of herbal medicines and foods reported in the literature, and to provide theoretical and experimental support for the safety risk assessment and control of PAs in Chinese herbal medicines.

Service competence evaluation of 99 smoking cessation clinics in Zhejiang Province / 预防医学

Objective@#To evaluate the service competence of 99 smoking cessation clinics in Zhejiang Province, so as to provide reference for the improvement. @*Methods@#The questionnaire, prepared by Tobacco Control Office of Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, was used to investigate all the smoking cessation clinics in Zhejiang Province, to score the basic and developmental indicators, and to assess the qualified rates ( basic indicators >50 points and total scores >60 points ). @*Results@#There were 99 smoking cessation clinics, with 52 in secondary hospitals and 47 in tertiary hospitals. The overall assessment scored from 11 to 96 points, with an average of ( 53.99±16.56 ) points. The smoking cessation clinics in secondary and tertiary hospitals scored ( 53.92±15.88 ) points and ( 54.06±17.45 ) points. The scores of basic and developmental indicators were ( 45.66±12.16 ) points and ( 8.33±5.39 ) points, with the scoring rates of 65.23% and 27.77%. The overall assessment of 43 smoking cessation clinics were qualified and the rate was 43.43%, which was 44.23% in secondary hospitals and 42.55% in tertiary hospitals. @*Conclusion@#The qualified rate of smoking cessation clinics in Zhejiang Province was 43.43%, which was similar between second hospitals and tertiary hospitals.

Causes of misdiagnosis in assessing tubal patency by transvaginal real-time three-dimensional hysterosalpingo-contrast sonography

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE This study aims to investigate the causes of misdiagnosis in assessing tubal patency by transvaginal real-time three-dimensional hysterosalpingo-contrast sonography (TVS RT-3D-HyCoSy), in order to improve the diagnostic efficiency of TVS RT-3D-HyCoSy. METHODS A total of 162 oviducts of 83 infertility patients were examined by TVS RT-3D-HyCoSy. These results were compared with the gold standard for laparoscopic dye studies, and the misdiagnosed cases were analyzed. RESULTS TVS RT-3D-HyCoSy revealed that 68 oviducts were unobstructed and 94 obstructed. The results for the 144 oviducts were in line with the gold standard, while those for 18 oviducts were not. The accuracy rate of the TVS RT-3D-HyCoSy was 88.9%, and the misdiagnosis rate was 11.1%. The main causes of misdiagnosis included contrast medium countercurrent and diffusion, oviduct spasm, abnormal shape or position of the oviduct, pelvic adhesion, and poor imaging operation. CONCLUSION TVS RT-3D-HyCoSy can well-evaluate tubal patency, and understand and improve the cause of misdiagnosis. Furthermore, the diagnostic efficiency of TVS RT-3D-HyCoSy can still be further improved.

RESUMO OBJETIVO Este estudo tem como objetivo investigar as causas do diagnóstico equivocado na avaliação da patência tubária por meio da ultrassonografia de contraste histerosalpingo em tempo real transvaginal (TVS RT-3D-HyCoSy), a fim de melhorar a eficiência diagnóstica das TVS RT-3D-HyCoSy. MÉTODOS Um total de 162 ovidutos em 83 pacientes da infertilidade foi examinado por TVS RT-3D-HyCoSy. Esses resultados foram comparados com o padrão ouro para estudos de tintura laparoscópica, e os casos diagnosticados erroneamente foram analisados. RESULTADOS TVS RT-3D-HyCoSy revelaram que 68 ovidutos foram desobstruídos e 94 ovidutos foram obstruídos. Os resultados para os 144 ovidutos estavam em consonância com o padrão ouro, enquanto que aqueles para os 18 ovidutos, não. A taxa de acurácia do TVS RT-3D-HyCoSy foi de 88,9%, e a taxa de erro de diagnóstico foi de 11,1%. As principais causas de erro de diagnóstico incluíram contraponto e difusão do meio de contraste, espasmo do oviduto, forma ou posição anormal do oviduto, adesão pélvica e má operação de imagem. CONCLUSÃO TVS RT-3D-HyCoSy pode bem avaliar a patência tubária, e compreender e melhorar a causa do erro de diagnóstico. Além disso, a eficiência diagnóstica do TVS RT-3D-HyCoSy ainda pode ser melhorada.

Clinical and genetic analyses of juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia / 中国当代儿科杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To study the clinical and genetic features of juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML) and the association between genotype and prognosis. Methods The clinical data of 15 children who were diagnosed with JMML were collected. Next-generation sequencing was used to detect common gene mutations of JMML.@*RESULTS@#The male/female ratio was 6.5:1, and the age of onset was 19 months (range 2-67 months). Of the 15 children, 11 (73%) experienced disease onset before the age of 4 years, with abdominal distension and pyrexia as initial symptoms. All children had hepatosplenomegaly and superficial lymphadenectasis, with a number of peripheral blood mononuclear cells of >1.0×10/L and a percentage of juvenile cells of 1%-7% in peripheral blood smear. The percentage of bone marrow blasts + juvenile cells was <20%, and the percentage of monoblasts + promonocytes was 1%-10%. Of the 15 children, 10 (67%) had a higher level of hemoglobin F than the normal level at the corresponding age, with the highest level of 62.5%. All 15 children had the absence of Philadelphia chromosome, and one child had chromosome 7 deletion. All 15 children had a negative result of BCR/ABL fusion gene detection. PTPN11 gene mutation was found in 5 children (33%), NF1 mutation in 4 children (27%), CBL mutation in 3 children (20%), and RAS mutation in 3 children (20%). No children received regular chemotherapy, and one child underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The median follow-up time of 15 children was 18 months (range 1-48 months). Among the 15 children, 8 died (among whom 4 had PTPN11 gene mutation, 3 had NF1 mutation, and 1 had RAS mutation) and 7 survived. The children with PTPN11 mutation had the worst prognosis and the highest mortality rate, and those with CBL or NRAS mutation had a relatively good prognosis. The level of hemoglobin F was negatively correlated with survival time (r=-7.21, P=0.002).@*CONCLUSIONS@#In children with JMML, the type of gene mutation is associated with prognosis. The children with PTPN11 mutation often have a poor prognosis, and those with CBL or NRAS mutation have a relatively good prognosis.

The event-related potentials study on attentional deployment in alexithymia / 中华行为医学与脑科学杂志

Objective To study the attentional deployment strategy of emotion regulation and its processing mechanisms in alexithymia.Methods 21 alexithymia subjects and 22 normal subjects completed attentional deployment task.The reaction time(RT) and accuracy were recorded automatically and the event-related potentials (ERPs) were recorded by neuroscan system.Results ①From the behavioral results,the differences of RT and accuracy to neutral pictures ((1840.17±204.44) ms vs (1845.17±252.97) ms;(0.859±0.073) vs (0.884±0.068)) and negative pictures ((1888.94±200.09) ms vs(1890.38±263.72) ms);(0.845±0.088) vs (0.845±0.091)) in calculation task between two groups were not statistically significant(all P＞0.05).The differences of RT and accuracy in emotion task were not statistically significant(P＞0.05).②In RT and accuracy,the task main effects were statistically significant(F(1,42) =637.40,P＜0.01;F(1,42)=15.00,P＜0.01),the emotion main effects were statistically significant (F(1,42)=30.23,P＜0.001;F(i,42)=47.87,P＜0.01),the interaction effects of task and emotion were statistically significant(F(2,41) =5.20,P＜0.05;F(2,41)=6.01,P＜0.05).③The differences between two groups in P3 amplitude induced by neutral pictures and negative pictures in calculation task were not statistically significant(P＞0.05).P3 amplitude induced by negative pictures were siguificantly greater than those induced by neutral pictures in emotion task((-0.138±0.463) μV vs (0.789±0.541) μV).Conclusion The attentional deployment can effectively regulate the negative pictures processing and occur in the late stage of the picture processing.No attentional deployment defects in alexithymia.

Degree of Sigmoid Sinus Compression and the Symptom Relief Using Magnetic Resonance Angiography in Venous Pulsating Tinnitus

OBJECTIVES: To show that mechanical compression of sigmoid sinus is effective for treatment of pulsatile tinnitus caused by sigmoid sinus enlargement, and to evaluate the relationship between the compression degree of sigmoid sinus and the tinnitus symptom relief using magnetic resonance angiography. METHODS: Medical records of twenty-four patients who were diagnosed with venous tinnitus caused by sigmoid sinus enlargement and underwent mechanical compression of sigmoid sinus were reviewed between April 2009 and May 2013. All these patients received computed tomography and magnetic resonance venography study before undergoing surgery and were followed for at least 4 months. RESULTS: Twenty-three patients felt relief from tinnitus three months after the surgery, and the cross-sectional area of the sigmoid sinus on the tinnitus side was compressed approximately by half (46%-69%) after the surgery. There were 4 patients whose tinnitus suddenly disappeared while lying on the operating table before operation, which may be a result of the patient's emotional tension or postural changes from standing. One of the four patients felt no relief from tinnitus after the surgery, with the cross-sectional area of the sigmoid sinus only compressed by 30%. And two patients of them had a recurrence of tinnitus about 6 months after the surgery. Seven patients had sigmoid sinus diverticula, and tinnitus would not disappear merely by eliminating the diverticulum until by compressing the sigmoid sinus to certain degree. There were 3 minor complications, including aural fullness, head fullness and hyperacusis. The preoperative low frequency conductive and sensorineural hearing loss of 7 subjects subsided. CONCLUSION: Mechanical compression of sigmoid sinus is an effective treatment for pulsatile tinnitus caused by sigmoid sinus enlargement, even if it might be accompanied by sigmoid sinus diverticulum. A compression degree of sigmoid sinus about 54% is adequate for the relief of tinnitus symptom. Cases in which patients' tinnitus suddenly disappeared before the surgery might be excluded to improve the efficacy of surgery.

Preparation technology of propolis extract / 中草药

Objective: To establish the preparation technology of propolis extract. Methods: With the contents of total flavonoids, chrysin, pinocembrin, and galangin and extract yield as evaluation indexes, the extraction methods, extraction solvent, extraction times, extraction time, and amount of solvent extraction were optimized with single factor test and orthogonal design to investigate the effect on the preparation technology of propolis extract. Results: The optimal extraction technology was that propolis was refrigerated, grinded, soaked with 95% five times the amount of ethanol, shaked, then extracted for 4 h, filtrated, concentrated, and dried after ethanol recovery. Conclusion: The optimial extracting technology of propolis is stable and feasible, and suitable for further application.

Effect of kinetin on immunity and splenic lymphocyte proliferation in vitro in D-galactose-induced aging rats / 生理学报

The purpose of this paper is to study the effect of kinetin (Kn) on immunity and splenic lymphocyte proliferation in vitro of aging rats induced by D-galactose (D-gal). Fifty SD rats were randomly divided into five groups: control group, aging model group, Kn low dose group, Kn middle dose group and Kn high dose group. The aging model group was proposed by napes subcutaneous injection of D-gal (125 mg/kg) for 45 d, and anti-aging groups were intragastrically administered with 5, 10, 20 mg/kg of Kn respectively from day 11. IgG, IgA, IgM contents of serum, the apoptosis percentage, stimulation index (SI) and proliferation index (PI) of splenic lymphocyte in vitro were evaluated. The results showed that the apoptosis percentage of splenic lymphocyte in aging model rats was higher, the serum IgG, IgA and IgM contents, SI and PI were lower than control group. Kn significantly decreased the apoptosis percentage of splenic lymphocyte, while increased the serum IgG, IgA and IgM contents, SI and PI in aging model group. These results suggest that Kn could inhibit the apoptosis, while promote the proliferation of splenic lymphocyte, and then effectively enhance the immune power of the aging rats and slow down the aging process.

Effect of sigmoid sinus plasty in sigmoid sinus original pulsatile tinnitus / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To discuss the diagnosis and management of venous original pulsatile tinnitus associated with sigmoid sinus.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A retrospective study was conducted on 12 patients who were diagnosed with venous original pulsatile tinnitus associated with sigmoid sinus, and treated with sigmoid sinus constriction surgery. The diagnostic evidences for venous original pulsatile tinnitus associated with sigmoid sinus were re-evaluated, the pulsatile tinnitus improvements and MRV study results before and after surgeries associated with sigmoid sinus were compared.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Eleven patients got relief of tinnitus within three months after the surgeries, while one patient had no relief. There were ten patients underwent MRV study, the cross-sectional area of the sigmoid sinus in the healthy side was about two times in the tinnitus side. Constriction sigmoid sinus was performed on the twelve patients. The cross-sectional area of the sigmoid sinus of relieved tinnitus patients were compressed by forty-six percent to eighty-three percent. None of the cases complained of any serious complications.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Sigmoid sinus constriction is an available therapy for pulsatile tinnitus at present. More cases and longer follow-up are necessary to evaluate its treatment effect accurately.</p>

Effect of kinetin on ovary and uterus in D-galactose-induced female mouse model of aging / 生理学报

The present study was to investigate the effect of kinetin on ovary and uterus of D-galactose-induced female mouse model of aging. Aging female mice model caused by D-galactose were used as model group, the aging model mice intragastrically administered with kinetin solution (daily 25 mg/kg or 50 mg/kg) were used as kinetin groups, and the mice with solvent as normal group (n = 20). To detect the effects of kinetin, estrous cycle, estradiol content, ovarian and uterine wet weight and organ index, SOD and GSH-Px activities, MDA and total protein contents, as well as the reserve function of ovaries were examined. The results showed that, kinetin-induced changes in two kinetin groups were observed, compared with the model group: (1) the estrous cycle was shortened; (2) serum estradiol content was significantly increased; (3) the wet weights of the ovary and uterus were increased significantly; (4) SOD and GSH-Px activities of ovary and uterus were significantly higher; (5) the MDA contents of the ovary and uterus were reduced significantly; (6) total protein contents of the ovary and uterus were increased significantly; (7) the numbers of mature oocytes in fallopian tubes were increased significantly. The results show that kinetin can protect ovary and uterus against oxidative damage, prevent low estrogen secretion caused by ovarian oxidative damage, shorten the estrous cycle in mice, and eventually maintain ovarian and uterine vitalities.

Application of atomic force microscopy in ultrastructure and biomechanics of cells and biomacromolecules / 医用生物力学

To be the representative fruition resulted from the rapid development in micro-nano theory and technology, atomic force microscopy (AFM) has greatly promoted the expansion of biological research in micro-nano scale, and facilitated the birth and development of micro-nano biology as an important technique in its 25-year evolutional progress. Based on the fundamental principles and detection modes of AFM, as well as the author’s research findings and work experience in this field, the paper reviews the application of AFM in the study on ultrastructure and biomechanical properties of cells and biomacromolecules in the aspects of biological structure and morphology, surface physicochemical characterization and mechanical manipulation of biological macromolecules, and focus on some important scientific and technical problems on AFM in micro-nano biomedical research needed to be improved and solved urgently, with exploratory insights and recommendations for potential users in ultrastructure and biomechanics of cells and biomacromolecules.

Assessment of middle ear effusion and audiological characteristics in young children with adenoid hypertrophy / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Otitis media with effusion is a highly concurrent disease in young children with adenoid hypertrophy. The aim of this study was to assess the middle ear effusion and audiological characteristics in children with adenoid hypertrophy and compare the various assessment methods.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Two hundred and seven candidates who were to undergo adenoidectomy were analyzed using otoscopy, tympanometry, air-conduction auditory steady-state responses (AC-ASSR), and computerized tomography (CT) before adenoidectomy.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>About 73.4% (304/414) of ears were confirmed to have middle ear effusion (MEE) by otoscopy; 75.4% (312/414) of ears revealed MEE by CT. CT scan correctly predicted all the myringotomy results, giving 100% accuracy on the diagnosis of MEE. Additionally, CT revealed two children with inner ear malformations. Type B tracing tympanogram provided a sensitivity of 91.7% and a specificity of 92.2%. Type C tympanogram with peak pressure < -200 daPa indicated effusion; type C tympanogram having acoustic stapedius reflex could exclude MEE. We excluded the AC-ASSR results of the 4 ears with malformation; 54.4% (223/410) of ears were confirmed of hearing loss. Furthermore, 5.2% (16/310) of the ears with MEE suffered from severe to profound hearing loss. The average threshold level in the 0.25 kHz frequency of children was found to have poorer hearing thresholds than those in the 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 kHz (P < 0.001) frequencies; 29.7% (92/310) of ears with MEE were regarded as normal hearing level. About 55.8% (173/310) of ears with MEE were classified as having slight-mild hearing loss.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The practitioners should pay much attention to the middle ear condition and be aware of a possible development of severe to profound hearing loss during the course of MEE in young children with adenoid hypertrophy. CT scan is good for the assessment of MEE before ventilation tube insertion.</p>

Correlation between serum anti-P53 and familial clustering of hepatocellular carcinoma in Guangxi / 中华医学遗传学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To assess the correlation between familial clustering of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and the level of anti-P53 in human serum in Guangxi.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect anti-P53 in 164 members from 20 HCC families and 164 members from non-cancer control families. Univariate analysis was performed to assess the correlation between seral level of P53 antibody and familial clustering of HCC.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The level of P53 antibody was significantly higher in the members of HCC families than controls (Z=-3.04, P=0.002). After eliminating the interference of hepatitis B virus infection, this tendency still remains (P=0.011). And there was a significant difference between relatives of different degrees from HCC families (chi-square=11.593, P=0.021), with the expression of anti-P53 declining along with decrease in relationship coefficient. Furthermore, the number of individuals with high anti-P53 expression was also significantly greater in HCC families (95/164) than controls (71/164) (P=0.006). And the expression was rising along with the increasing HCC numbers (chi-square=16.068, P=0.000). Anti-P53 level was also greater in HCC families featuring sibling affection than parental affection (chi-square=12.679, P=0.002). Univariate analysis indicated that high expression of anti-P53 is a risk factor for development of HCC (OR=2.087, 95%CI: 1.270-3.431).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>High level of anti-P53 expression may be a factor for the clustering of HCC families in Guangxi, China.</p>

The effects of zinc on the expression of liver Fas/FasL in arsenic poisoning mice / 中国地方病学杂志

Objective To investigate the effects of arsenic on liver Fas/FasL expression in mice and to observe the antagonize effect of zinc. Methods Sixty health Kunming mice were divided into five groups according to their body mass: negative control group(no arsenic and no zinc), arsenic group(55 mg/L NaAsO2 solution), low dose zinc intervention group(55 mg/L NaAsO2 solution and 20 mg/L ZnSO4 solution), middle dose zinc intervention group (55 mg/L NaAsO2 solution and 40 mg/L ZnSO4 solution), and high dose zinc intervention group (55 mg/LNaAsO2 solution and 80 mg/L ZnSO4 solution). Everyday the solution was given by oral gavage at a dose of 0.02 ml/g body weight for six weeks. The expression of Fas/FasL in mice liver was examined by immunohistochemistry.Results With the amount of zinc increasing, the expression of both Fas and FasL in mice liver decreased gradually. The expression rates of Fas[83.33%(10/12), 50%(6/12)] and FasL[66.67%(8/12), 41.67%(5/12)]in low dose zinc intervention group and middle dose zinc intervention group, respectively, were different from the expression rate of Fas[8.33%(1/12)] and FasL[0.00%(0/12)] in the negative control group(all P < 0.05). The Fas expression rate of middle dose zinc intervention group[50%(6/12)] and the high dose zinc intervention group [25%(3/12)] was compared with the arsenic group[8.33%(1/12)], and the difference was statistically significant (all P < 0.01 ). The FasL expression rate of the middle dose zinc intervention group [41.67% (5/12 )] and the high dose zinc intervention group[16.67%(2/12)] was compared with positive control group[91.67%(11/12)], and the difference was statistically significant (all P < 0.05). Conclusions Arsenic can increase the expression of Fas and FasL in mice liver, and promote apoptosis in liver, zinc may antagonize the effect of arsenic.

Effect of phospholipomannan of Candida albicans on the production of interleukin 6 and interleukin 8 in monocytes / 中国医学科学院学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate whether Candida albicans-native phospholipomannan (PLM) induce an inflammation response through Toll-like receptor(TLRé2 in human acute monocytic leukemia cell line (THP-1) cells.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Human THP-1 monocytes were challenged with PLM in vitro. The mRNA expressions of TLR2, TLR4, proinflammatory cytokine [interleukin(IL)-6], and chemokine (IL-8) were assayed by real time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. The secretions of IL-6 and IL-8 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The expression of TLR2 was analyzed with Western blot.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>PLM increased the mRNA expressions and secretions of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-6) and chemokines (IL-8) in THP-1 cells (all P=0.0000). PLM up-regulated the mRNA and protein levels of TLR2 (P=0.0000), whereas the mRNA level of TLR4 was not altered. PLM hydrolyzed with β-D-mannoside manno hydrolase failed to induce gene and protein expressions of TLR2, IL-6, and IL-8. Anti-TLRS-neutralizing antibody blocked the PLM-induced secretions of IL-6 and IL-8 in THP-1 cells (P = 0.0003, P = 0.0010).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Canidada albicans-native PLM may contribute to the inflammatory responses during Candida infection in a TLR2-dependent manner.</p>