Associations of family functioning with sleep disturbance and depressive symptoms among primary and secondary school students / 中国学校卫生

Objective@#The study aims to explore the associations of family functioning with sleep disturbance and depressive symptoms among primary and secondary school students, to provide scientific reference for preventing depression in primary and middle school students.@*Methods@#A convenience sampling method was used to recruit 124 357 primary and secondary school students in Baoan District, Shenzhen. A self administered general information questionnaire, the Youth Self Rating Insomnia Scale, and the Patient Heath Questionnaire-9 were used to assess the students demographic characteristics, family functioning, sleep disturbance, and depressive symptoms.@*Results@#About 34.6% of students reported moderate family dysfunction, and 8.7% reported severe family dysfunction. The prevalence rates of sleep disturbance and depressive symptoms were 13.0% and 13.1% in elementary and secondary school students, respectively. The prevalence rates of sleep disturbance and depressive symptoms were statistically significantly higher in girls(14.6%, 16.8%) than boys(11.6%, 9.9%) ( χ 2=255.25, 1 269.50, P <0.01). Depressive symptoms were positively correlated with sleep disturbance ( r =0.61) and negatively correlated with family functioning ( r =-0.31)( P <0.01). Family functioning moderated the relationship between sleep disturbance and depressive symptoms, and the positive predictive effect of sleep disturbance on depressive symptoms decreases as the level of family functioning increases.@*Conclusion@#Family functioning buffers the effects of sleep disturbance on depressive symptoms among primary and secondary school students. Attention should be paid to sleep quality among primary and secondary school students, to improve their family functioning, and thus decrease and prevent the occurrence of depression in adolescents.

Effect of asbestos exposure on oxidative stress / 预防医学

Objective @#To examine the effect of asbestos exposure on oxidative stress, so as to provide insights into the elucidation of pathogenesis and management of asbestos-related diseases. @*Methods @#Totally 245 subjects were recruited from an asbestos manufacturing area in Zhejiang Province, and their gender, age and history of asbestos exposure were collected through a questionnaire survey. The serum levels of 8-hydroxy-2'deoxyguanosine ( 8-OHdG ), glutathione ( GSH ), malondialdehyde ( MDA ), superoxide dismutase ( SOD ) and total antioxidative capacity ( TAOC ) were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay ( ELISA ), and the levels of catalase ( CAT ), peroxiredoxin 2 ( PRX2 ), SOD1, SOD2 and thioredoxin-1 ( TRX1 ) were detected in peripheral white blood cells ( WBCs ) using a liquid-chip assay. Multivariable linear regression analysis was performed to identify the association between asbestos exposure and oxidative stress parameters. @*Results @#There were 50 subjects without a history of asbestos exposure (unexposed group), 102 subjects with asbestos exposure for less than 10 years ( AE<10-year group ) and 93 subjects with asbestos exposure for 10 years and more ( AE≥10-year group ). No significant differences were found among the three groups in terms of age, gender, proportion of smokers or proportion of alcohol consumers ( P>0.05 ). Significantly higher 8-OHdG and MDA in serum, and higher PRX2 in peripheral WBCs were detected in the AE≥10-year group than in the unexposed group ( P<0.05 ); lower GSH and TAOC in serum, and lower CAT in peripheral WBCs were detected in the AE≥10-year group than in the unexposed group ( P<0.05 ); higher 8-OHdG and MDA in serum, and higher PRX2 in peripheral WBCs were detected in the AE≥10-year group than in the AE<10-year group ( P<0.05 ). Multivariable linear regression analysis showed that asbestos exposure significantly correlated with 8-OHdG, MDA and TAOC in serum, and CAT and PRX2 in peripheral WBCs ( P<0.05 ). @*Conclusion @#Asbestos exposure may induce the oxidative stress damage, suggesting that oxidative stress may be involved in asbestos-related diseases.

Evaluation on the implementation of HealthWISE in a grade-A tertiary hospital / 中国职业医学

@#Objective To evaluate the implementation effect of work improvement in health services technical tool （ ） - HealthWISE developed by the International Labor Organization and the World Health Organization in a grade A tertiary Methods - hospital. A total of 14 healthcare workers who had participated in the HealthWISE teacher training in a grade A - tertiary hospital since 2016 were selected as the research subjects using a typical sampling method. Semi structured interviews ， Results ， were conducted and the interview data were collected and analyzed. Among the 14 subjects five participated in the training for more than three times. The research subjects believed that they had gained great insights through the training. The ， training had led to positive changes in both individual and team levels. In particular the hospital had established an ， ， occupational health protection system which had been significantly improved in organizational construction training and ， - ， education capacity building and so on. During the prevention and control of the COVID 19 pandemic the hospital strengthened HealthWISE application to ensure the occupational safety and health of healthcare workers. All research subjects provided opinions and suggestions on the improvement of the national comprehensive occupational health protection system for healthcare Conclusion ， workers in the future. The application of HealthWISE in this hospital has achieved remarkable results which helps to promote the establishment of a comprehensive occupational health protection system for healthcare workers on a large scale.

Nicotine promotes the development of oral leukoplakia via regulating peroxiredoxin 1 and its binding proteins

Tobacco can induce reactive oxygen species (ROS) production extensively in cells, which is a major risk factor for oral leukoplakia (OLK) development. Peroxiredoxin 1 (Prx1) is a key antioxidant protein, upregulated in a variety of malignant tumors. We previously found that nicotine, the main ingredient of tobacco, promotes oral carcinogenesis via regulating Prx1. The aim of the present study was to screen and identify the Prx1 interacting proteins and investigate the mechanisms of nicotine on the development of OLK. Through liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry combined with bioinformatics analysis, the candidate Prx1 interacting proteins of cofilin-1 (CFL1), tropomyosin alpha-3 chain (TPM3), and serine/threonine-protein phosphatase 2A 65 kDa regulatory subunit A alpha isoform (PPP2R1A) were screened in human dysplastic oral keratinocyte cells treated with nicotine. CFL1, TPM3, and PPP2R1A were highly expressed in human OLK tissues. The expression of CFL1 increased and the expression of PPP2R1A decreased in OLK of smokers compared to that in OLK of non-smokers. Nicotine upregulated CFL1 and downregulated PPP2R1A in 4-nitro-quinoline-1-oxide (4NQO)-induced OLK tissues in mice in part dependent on Prx1. Furthermore, the in-situ interaction of CFL1, TPM3, and PPP2R1A with Prx1 were validated in human OLK tissues. Our results suggested that tobacco might promote the development of OLK via regulating Prx1 and its interacting proteins CFL1 and PPP2R1A.

Salidroside regulates DC through TLR4 to increase the lethality of T cells to lung cancer 3LLcells / 中国肿瘤生物治疗杂志

@#Objective： ：To investigatetheeffectofsalidroside(SAL)onthephenotype of dendritic cells (DCs) and the antitumor ability of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL). Methods： ：Lewis lung cancer cell line 3LL, wild type (WT) C57BL/6 mice and TLR4-/- C57BL/6 mice were chosen for this study. Mice bone marrow derived DC precursor cells were obtained to differentiate into immature DCs, which were harvested on the sixth day of culture. CD11c+ DCs were obtained by magnetic beads screening, and further divided into PBS group, SAL group and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) group.After being cultured for 48 h, the effects of SAL on surface molecules and phagocytosis of DCs as well as the efffect of TLR4 pathway on the killing effect of T cells were detected by Fow cytometry. Results： ： Compared with PBS group, expressions of DC surface molecules CD80, CD86 and MHC Ⅱ significantly increased (all P<0.05), phagocytosis significantly decreased (P<0.05), and TLR4 expression level significantly increased (P<0.01) in SAL group; Compared with WT group, after being treated with SAL or LPS, the expressions of DC surface molecules CD80, CD86 and MHC Ⅱ decreased significantly in TLR4-/- group (all P<0.05); ComparedwithPBSgroup,theactivatedCTLinSALgroupexhibited a significantly elevated killing effect against lung cancer 3LLcells (P<0.05). Conclusion：SAL can induce DC maturation by regulating TLR4, thus improving the killing ability of T cells.

Effect of Individualized Moderate-intensity Exercise Prescription on Cardiopulmonary Function for Patients with Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension / 中国康复理论与实践

Objective:To analyze the cardiopulmonary function of stable patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), and to explore effects of the cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET)-based individualized moderate-intensity exercise prescription on cardiopulmonary functional reserve and exercise capacity in patients with PAH. Methods:From April, 2018 to July, 2019, 31 stable patients with PAH (PAH group) and 32 healthy counterparts (normal group) were enrolled. All subjects underwent CPET. PAH group was assessed with 6-Minute Walking Test (6MWT), and then was divided into exercise group (n = 16) and control group (n = 15). Both groups were treated with ordinary targeted drugs, while the exercise group was additionally provided with an individualized moderate-intensity exercise prescription of △50% power treadmill training, five days a week for eight weeks. CPET and 6MWT were conducted again after intervention. Results:Before intervention, body mass, body mass index (BMI), force vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), maximum voluntary ventilation (MVV), anaerobic threshold (AT), peak heart rate (HRpeak), peak systolic blood pressure (SBPpeak), peak load power (WRpeak), peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak), peak oxygen pulse (VO2/HRpeak), peak cardiac output (COpeak), peak minute ventilation (VEpeak), peak end-tidal carbon dioxide (PETCO2peak), peak pulse oxygen saturation (SpO2peak) and oxygen uptake efficiency plateau (OUEP) were significantly lower (t > 2.419, P < 0.05), and the rest heart rate (HRrest), peak dead space to tidal volume ratio (VD/VTpeak), minimum ventilatory equivalent for carbon dioxide (Lowest VE/VCO2) and slope of ventilatory equivalent for carbon dioxide (VE/VCO2 slope) were higher (|t| > 2.615, P < 0.05) in PAH group than in the normal group. After intervention, FEV1, MVV, VO2peak (ml/min/kg) and VO2/HRpeak decreased in the control group (t > 2.272, P < 0.05); FVC, FEV1, MVV, AT, SBPpeak, WRpeak, VO2peak, VO2/HRpeak, COpeak, VEpeak, PETCO2peak, SpO2peak and 6-Minute Walking Distance (6MWD) increased (|t| > 2.167, P < 0.05), while the average Lowest VE/VCO2 and VE/VCO2 slope decreased (t > 2.264, P < 0.05) in the exercise group. Compared with the control group, the FEV1/FVC, AT, WRpeak, VO2peak, VO2/HRpeak, COpeak and 6MWD increased in the exercise group (|t| > 2.168, P < 0.05). Conclusion:The holistic cardiopulmonary function of stable patients with PAH decreases. CPET-based individualized moderate-intensity exercise could enhance the cardiopulmonary functional reserve and exercise capacity of patients with PAH.

Anti-tumor effect of new LL-37 hybrid antimicrobial peptide on breast cancer MCF-7 cells / 中国肿瘤生物治疗杂志

@#[Abstract] Objective:To investigate the anti-tumor effect and mechanism of new LL-37 hybrid peptide on breast cancer MCF-7 cells. Methods: Human antimicrobial peptide LL-37 and human neutrophil peptide 1(HNP-1) were screened by using of Antimicrobial Peptides Database (http:// aps.unmc.edu/AP/main.php). The new LL-37 hybrid peptide was synthesized by integrating the active fragments, which were selected by bioinformatics analysis. The breast cancer MCF-7 cells and human normal breast MCF10A cells were treated with the new LL-37 hybrid peptides (0~70 μmol/L). Cell viability was monitored by CCK-8 assay and the affinity of the new LL-37 hybrid peptide with MCF-7 cells was observed using confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM). The effects of LL-37 and caspase inhibitor on apoptosis and cell cycle of MCF-7 cells were measured by FCM (flow cytometry). Results: The new LL-37 hybrid peptide, as an amphiphilic cationic polypeptide, could selectively inhibit the proliferation of breast cancer MCF-7 cells ( P <0.05) with an IC50of 58.34 μmol/L, but exerted no significant effect on normal breast MCF10A cells. LL-37 peptide had high affinity with MCF-7 cells, which could cause S-stage stagnation and significantly increased early apoptosis ( P <0.01); however, the cell cycle block and apoptosis were significantly attenuated after the treatment of caspase inhibitor ( P <0.01). Conclusion: The new LL-37 hybrid peptide has anti-tumor activity on breast cancer MCF-7 cells, and could induce MCF-7 cells apoptosis possibly by arresting cell cycle via the caspase-dependent signaling pathway.

Role of Adiponectin in prostate cancer

ABSTRACT Obesity is defined as a chronic and excessive growth of adipose tissue. It has been associated with a high risk for development and progression of obesity-associated malignancies, while adipokines may mediate this association. Adiponectin is an adipose tissue-derived adipokines, with significant anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, anti-atherosclerotic and anti-proliferative properties. Plasma adiponectin levels are decreased in obese individuals, and this feature is closely correlated with development of several metabolic, immunological and neoplastic diseases. Recent studies have shown that prostate cancer patients have lower serum adiponectin levels and decreased expression of adiponectin receptors in tumor tissues, which suggests plasma adiponectin level is a risk factor for prostate cancer. Furthermore, exogenous adiponectin has exhibited therapeutic potential in animal models. In this review, we focus on the potential role of adiponectin and the underlying mechanism of adiponectin in the development and progression of prostate cancer. Exploring the signaling pathways linking adiponectin with tumorigenesis might provide a potential target for therapy.

CBS promoter hypermethylation increases the risk of hypertension and stroke

OBJECTIVES: Cystathionine β-synthase is a major enzyme in the metabolism of plasma homocysteine. Hyperhomocysteinemia is positively associated with hypertension and stroke. The present study was performed to examine the possible effects of Cystathionine β-synthase promoter methylation on the development of hypertension and stroke. METHODS: Using quantitative methylation-specific PCR, we determined the Cystathionine β-synthase methylation levels in 218 healthy individuals and 132 and 243 age- and gender-matched stroke and hypertensive patients, respectively. The relative changes in Cystathionine β-synthase promoter methylation were analyzed using the 2-ΔΔCt method. The percent of the methylated reference of Cystathionine β-synthase was used to represent the Cystathionine β-synthase promoter methylation levels. RESULTS: In this study, the Cystathionine β-synthase promoter methylation levels of hypertensive and stroke participants were both higher than that of the healthy individuals (median percentages of the methylated reference were 50.61%, 38.05% and 30.53%, respectively, all p<0.001). Multivariable analysis showed that Cystathionine β-synthase promoter hypermethylation increased the risk of hypertension [odds ratio, OR (95% confidence interval, CI)=1.035 (1.025-1.045)] and stroke [OR (95% CI)=1.015 (1.003-1.028)]. The area under the curve of Cystathionine β-synthase promoter methylation was 0.844 (95% CI: 0.796-0.892) in male patients with hypertension and 0.722 (95% CI: 0.653-0.799) in male patients with stroke. CONCLUSION: Cystathionine β-synthase promoter hypermethylation increases the risk of hypertension and stroke, especially in male patients.

Inhibitory effect and mechanism of AMPKα over-expression on proliferation, invasion and EMT of bladder cancerT24 cells / 中国肿瘤生物治疗杂志

@# Objective: To investigate the effect and mechanism of AMP-activated protein kinase α (AMPKα) over-expression on proliferation, migration, invasion and epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) of bladder cancer T24 cells. Methods: A bladder cancer T24 cells over-expressing AMPKα was established and divided into T24 group, pc-DNA group and pc-AMPKα group according to different plasmid transfection. Western blotting was used to verify the over-expression ofAMPKα and detect the expressions of EMT-related proteins and EMT pathway-related molecules. Hoechst staining was used to detect apoptosis of transfected T24 cells. CCK8 assay was used to detect cell proliferation. Cell scratch test was used to detect cell migration. Transwell assay was used to detect cell invasion. Results: The bladder cancer cell line T24 over-expressingAMPKα was successfully constructed. Compared with the T24 group and the pc-DNA group, the level of E-cadherin in the pc-AMPKα group was significantly increased (P<0.01) while the levels of Vimentin and N-cadherin were significantly decreased (all P<0.01), and the activities of P38 and STAT3 which related to EMT pathway were significantly inhibited (all P<0.01); cell proliferation, migration and invasion were significantly decreased while cell apoptosis was obviously enhanced (all P<0.01). Conclusion: Over-expression of AMPKα can inhibit the activity of EMT pathway-related molecules, which leads to obvious apoptosis, limited proliferation, reduced invasion and migration of bladder cancer T24 cells, and accompanied by the reversal of EMT.

Episodic angioedema associated with eosinophilia

Abstract: We report a 12-year-old girl who presented with recurrent angioedema on the face, trunk, and extremities, and concomitant marked weight gain for 5 years. During the episode, her white blood cell count increased to 47.7×109/L with 89.9% eosinophils, followed by elevated serum level of IL-5, IgE, IgM, and LDH. Histopathology showed perivascular eosinophilic infiltration and diffuse eosinophilic infiltration throughout the dermis. Possible causes of hypereosinophilia and eosinophilic infiltration of vital organs were ruled out. We also tested the FIP1L1/PDGFRa and ETV6/PDGFRb fusion gene to exclude the possibility of myeloid and lymphatic vessel neoplasms. The patient was treated with methylprednisolone and discharged with an oral prednisolone taper, which resulted in complete remission of the edema and normalization of peripheral blood eosinophil count, serum IL-5 level, IgE, IgM, and LDH.

A simple and rapid identification method for newly emerged porcine Deltacoronavirus with loop-mediated isothermal amplification

BACKGROUND: Porcine Deltacoronavirus (PDCoV) is a newly emerged enteropathogenic coronavirus that causes diarrhea and mortality in neonatal piglets. PDCoV has spread to many countries around the world, leading to significant economic losses in the pork industry. Therefore, a rapid and sensitive method for detection of PDCoV in clinical samples is urgently needed. RESULTS: In this study, we developed a single-tube one-step reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) assay specific for nucleocapsid gene to diagnose and monitor PDCoV infections. The detection limit of RT-LAMP assay was 1 × 101 copies of PDCoV, which was approximately 100-fold more sensitive than gel-based one-step reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). This assay could specifically amplify PDCoV and had no cross amplification with porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV), transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV), porcine kobuvirus (PKoV), porcine astrovirus (PAstV), porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), classic swine fever virus (CSFV), and porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2). By screening a panel of clinical specimens (N = 192), this method presented a similar sensitivity with nested RT-PCR and was 1-2 log more sensitive than conventional RT-PCR in detection of PDCoV. CONCLUSIONS: The RT-LAMP assay established in this study is a potentially valuable tool, especially in low-resource laboratories and filed settings, for a rapid diagnosis, surveillance, and molecular epidemiology investigation of PDCoV infections. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first work for detection of newly emerged PDCoV with LAMP technology.

A quantitative analytical method for valienone and its application in the evaluation of valienone production by a breakthrough microbial process / 中国天然药物

Valienone is a significant natural carbasugar member of the C7-cyclitol family as a valuable precursor for glycosidase inhibitor drugs. It is an intermediate of validamycin A biosynthesis pathway and exhibits minimal accumulation in the fermentation broth of the natural Streptomyces producer. A quantitative analytical method is crucial for the development of a breakthrough microbial process overcoming the consumption of the natural metabolic flux. The present study was designed to develop a pre-column derivatization high-performance liquid chromatography method for quantification of valienone and to help establish a straightforward fermentation process for valienone production by metabolically engineered Streptomyces hygroscopicus 5008. Valienone was derivatized by 2, 4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH) in 10 mmol·L HPO at 37 °C for 45 min and the derivatives were separated on Eclipse XDB-C (5 μm, 4.6 mm × 150 mm) column at 30 °C eluted with 50% acetonitrile for 18 min. The derivatives were detected by diode array detector at 380 nm and the configurations of the derivatives were determined by computational studies. The method was shown to be effective, sensitive, and reliable. Good linearity was found in the range of 5-2 000 μg·mL. The intra- and inter-day precisions were 1.1%-2.7% and 1.7%-2.2%, respectively. The absolute recovery of the spiked samples was 97.2%-102.6%. To date, this is the first reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography detection method for valienone in microbial culture medium. This method successfully helped evaluate the valienone production capability of the engineered Streptomyces hygroscopicus 5008 and could be promising for C7-cyclitol profiling of different engineered mutants combined with the metabonomics methods.

Aberrant Activation of Cdc2/cyclin B1 Is Involved in Initiation of Cytoskeletal Pathology in Murine Niemann-Pick Disease Type C / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

Niemann-Pick disease type C (NPC) is a fatal,neurovisceral lipid storage disease,neuropathologically characterized by cytoplasmic sequestration of glycolipids in neurons,progressive neuronal loss,neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) formation,and axonal spheroids (AS).Cytoskeletal pathology including accumulation of hyperphosphorylated cytoskeletal proteins is a neuropathological hallmark of the mouse model of NPC (npc mice).With a goal of elucidating the mechanisms underlying the lesion formation,we investigated the temporal and spatial characteristics of cytoskeletal lesions and the roles of cdc2,cdk4,and cdk5 in lesion formation in young npc mice.Cytoskeletal lesions were detectable in npc mice at three weeks of age.Importantly,concomitant activation of cdc2/cyclin B 1 kinase and accumulation of a subsequently generated cohort of phospho-epitopes were detected.The activation of cdk4/cyclin D1 and cdk5/p25 kinases was observed during the fourth week of life in npc mice,and this activation contributed to the lesion formation.We concluded that the progression of cytoskeletal pathology in npc mice older than four weeks is accelerated by the cumulative effect of cdc2,cdk4,and cdk5 activation.Furthermore,cdc2/cyclin B1 may act as a key initial player one week earlier.Targeting cell cycle activation may be beneficial to slow down the NPC pathogenesis.

The role of bradykinin in lung ischemia-reperfusion injury in a rat lung transplantation model

ABSTRACT PURPOSE: To investigate the role of bradykinin in a rat lung transplantation (LTx) model and preliminarily discuss the relationship between bradykinin and CD26/DPP-4. METHODS: Rats were randomly divided into four groups: Control (CON), Sham, low potassium dextranglucose (LPD), and AB192 (n=15/group). Orthotopic single LTx was performed in the LPD and AB192 groups. The donor lungs were flush-perfused and preserved with low potassium dextranglucose (LPD) or LPD+CD26/DPP-4 catalytic inhibitor (AB192). LTx was performed after 18 h cold ischemia time and harvested two days post-LTx. Blood gas analysis (PO2), wet/dry weight ratio (W/D), myeloperoxidase activity (MPO), and lipid peroxidation (MDA) were analyzed at 48 hr after transplantation. Immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis was performed in the same sample and validated by Western-Blot. RESULTS: Compared to the LPD group, the AB192 group showed higher PO2, lower W/D ratio, and decreased MPO and MDA. IHC studies showed strong bradykinin β2 receptor (B2R) staining in the LPD group, especially in inflammatory cells, alveolar macrophages, and respiratory epithelial cells. Expression of B2R by Western-Blot was significantly different between the AB192 and LPD groups. CONCLUSION: Bradykinin may be a competitive substrate of DPP-4, and decreased bradykinin levels may enhance protective effects against ischemia/reperfusion injury during LTx.

Imported cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania major in a Chinese laborer who worked in Saudi Arabia

Abstract: We report an imported case of cutaneous leishmaniasis in a 37-year-old man from Saudi Arabia caused by Leishmania major. He presented with non-healing nodulo-ulcerative lesions with a "volcanic crater" on the lower limbs. It was clearly cutaneous leishmaniasis - a rare disease in China - as reflected by the patient's clinical history, the lesions' morphology, histopathological examination, culture and PCR analysis of the lesions. The patient was completely cured after two cycles of sodium stibogluconate treatment. This case report demonstrates that dermatologists should be aware of sporadic cutaneous leishmaniasis cases in non-endemic areas.

Over-expression of CYP78A98, a cytochrome P450 gene from Jatropha curcas L, increases seed size of transgenic tobacco

Background: Jatropha curcas L. (further referred to as Jatropha), as a rapidly emerging biofuel crop, has attracted worldwide interest. However, Jatropha is still an undomesticated plant, the true potential of this shrub has not yet been fully realized. To explore the potential of Jatropha, breeding and domestication are needed. Seed size is one of the most important traits of seed yield and has been selected since the beginning of agriculture. Increasing the seed size is a main goal of Jatropha domestication for increasing the seed yield, but the genetic regulation of seed size in Jatropha has not been fully understood. Results: We cloned CYP78A98 gene from Jatropha,a homologue of CYP78A5 in Arabidopsis.Wefound that CYP78A98 was highly expressed in male flower, female flower, stem apex, leaf and developing seed. However, its transcripts were hardly detected in root and stem. CYP78A98 protein localized in endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and the hydrophobic domain at the N-terminus was essential for the correct protein localization. Furthermore, INNER NO OUTER promoter (pINO) drove specific overexpression of CYP78A98 in transgenic tobacco seeds resulted in increased seed size and weight, as well as improved seed protein and fatty acid content. Conclusions: The results indicated that CYP78A98 played a role in Jatropha seed size control. This may help us to better understand the genetic regulation of Jatropha seed development, and accelerate the breeding progress of Jatropha.

A case of malignant atrophic papulosis with cranial nerve and peripheral nerve impairment

Malignant atrophic papulosisis is a rare, multisystem obliterative vasculopathy of unknown etiology, occasionally involving the cranial nerve. We describe the first case of malignant atrophic papulosisis with cranial nerve and peripheral nerve involvement in China. A 47-year-old woman presented to our hospital with atrophic porcelain white papules over the trunk and extremities, numbness in the right calf, vision decrease and impaired movement of the right eye. She was diagnosed with malignant atrophic papulosisis, based on characteristic symptoms and histopathologic examination. The patient was treated with dipyridamole and aspirin for 9 months, but later died of gastrointestinal hemorrhage. We reviewed currently available case reports on cranial nerve involvement in malignant atrophic papulosisis and emphasized the importance of skin biopsy in diagnosing this disease.

Cutaneous metastases from gastric adenocarcinoma 15 years after curative gastrectomy

We report the case of a 38-year-old man, who developed cutaneous metastases in the left inguinal groove 15 years after curative gastrectomy for advanced gastric adenocarcinoma. Histopathologic examination revealed poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma cells. They were stained positive for villin, CDX-2, CKpan (AE1/ AE3), CEA, CK8/18, CK19, CK7, EMA, Ki-67 (50%), and negative for S-100, CK20, CD34, GCDFP-15 and TTF-1. The patient underwent local excision, after the presence of other metastases was excluded. Nevertheless, local recurrence developed at the surgical bed one year later and PET/CT revealed metastases to lymph nodes, bone and skin. He died 2 years after the appearance of cutaneous metastases. We have reviewed the literature and described the immunohistochemical characteristics of cutaneous metastases from gastric adenocarcinoma.

Combined acute interstitial pneumonitis and pancytopenia induced by low-dose methotrexate in a hemodialysis patient treated for bullous pemphigoid

Methotrexate has been widely used for many years in the treatment of a variety of diseases. Acute pneumonitis and bone marrow suppression are very serious side effects in methotrexate treatment. A 48-year-old man with end-stage renal disease undergoing chronic hemodialysis developed combined acute pneumonitis and pancytopenia after a cumulative dose of 20 mg methotrexate for bullous pemphigoid. Continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) can effi ciently decrease serum methotrexate concentration. A rapid improvement of clinical symptoms and resolution of pulmonary opacifi cation were found after CRRT. Blood cell counts returned to normal after component blood transfusion and cytokine supportive therapy. Patients with impaired renal function are at high risk of methotrexate toxicity, and low-dose methotrexate should be prescribed with great caution.