FHL2 regulates THP-1 macrophage foaming through NF-κB signaling pathway / 基础医学与临床

Objective To determine whether four-and-a-half LIM-only protein 2(FHL2)can affect macrophage foa-ming by regulating nuclear factor kappa-B(NF-κB)signaling pathway.Methods FHL2 over-expression plasmids and siRNA of FHL2 were constructed and transfected into human monocyte/macrophages cell line THP-1.Western blot was used to detect the expression of FHL2.The cells were stimulated with oxidized low density lipoprotein(ox-LDL)and the expression of IL-6,IL-1β,TNF-α and other cytokines were detected by ELISA.Oil red O staining was used to detect the degree of cell foaming.The protein expression of NF-κB signaling pathway was detected by Western blot.Results The expression of FHL2 increased after transfected with FHL2 over-expression plasmids while decreased in si-FLH2 transfected cells.FHL2 down-regulated secretion of inflammatory cytokines.Down-regulation of FHL2 allevi-ated THP-1 macrophage foaming.The down-regulation of FHL2 inhibited activation of NF-κB signaling pathway,while the over-expression FHL2 showed an opposite trend.Conclusions FHL2 down-regulation inhibits the activation of NF-κB signaling pathway,reduces the secretion of inflammatory cytokines and alleviates foaming of macrophages.

Percepciones de los estudiantes de Medicina de la Universidad Nacional de Asunción sobre la salud mental y sobre las barreras para acceder a los servicios de salud mental ofrecidos por la institución / National University of Asunción medical students' perceptions on mental health and on the barriers to accessing mental healthcare services offered by the institution

Introducción: El estudio de las percepciones de los estudiantes de Medicina sobre la salud mental es un tema de investigación significativo, puesto que su conocimiento puede ayudar a comprender las principales barreras a vencer para acceder a servicios de salud mental. Objetivos: Describir la percepción de los estudiantes de Medicina (campus de Sajonia y de San Lorenzo) de la Facultad de Ciencias Médicas de la Universidad Nacional de Asunción sobre los problemas de salud mental y sobre las barreras para acceder a los servicios de atención a la salud mental ofrecidos por la institución. Materiales y métodos: Estudio observacional descriptivo, de corte transversal y temporalmente prospectivo, con muestreo no probabilístico. A través de una encuesta en línea, se examinaron una serie de variables con el fin de describir las percepciones, tales como estigma, actitudes de la Facultad hacia la salud mental y barreras para acceder a los servicios de salud mental. Resultados: 243 estudiantes fueron encuestados. El 24,7 % mencionó haber sido tratado por un problema de salud mental. El 83,13% refirió conocer a algún estudiante con problemas de salud mental en la Facultad. 81,07% indicó que el estigma/vergüenza es la barrera más importante en el acceso a los servicios de salud mental ofrecidos por la institución. El 89,71% sostuvo que la Facultad tiene la responsabilidad de brindar mejor atención a los estudiantes con problemas de salud mental, mientras que el 37,04% estuvo de acuerdo con que la Facultad es amigable con estudiantes con problemas de salud mental. Conclusión: estos hallazgos servirán de base para futuras investigaciones sobre problemas prevalentes de salud mental en los estudiantes de Medicina, incluyendo las maneras de abordarlos y tratarlos, y sobre qué debe hacer la Facultad para mejorar el cuidado de la salud mental de sus estudiantes.

Introduction: The study of the medical students' perceptions on mental health is a significant research topic, since its knowledge can help to understand the main barriers to overcome to access mental healthcare services. Objectives: To describe the perceptions of medical students (Sajonia and San Lorenzo campuses) of the Faculty of Medical Sciences of the National University of Asunción about mental health problems and about the barriers to accessing mental healthcare services offered by the institution. Materials and methods: Descriptive, cross-sectional and temporally prospective observational study, with non-probabilistic sampling. Through an online survey, a series of variables were examined to describe perceptions, such as stigma, Faculty attitudes towards mental health, and barriers to accessing mental healthcare services. Results: 243 students were surveyed. 24.7% mentioned having been treated for a mental health problem. 83.13% reported knowing a student with mental health problems at the Faculty. 81.07% indicated that stigma/shame is the most important barrier in accessing mental healthcare services offered by the institution. 89.71% said that the Faculty has the responsibility to provide better care to students with mental health problems, while 37.04% agreed that the Faculty is friendly with students with mental health problems. Conclusion: These findings will serve as the basis for future research on prevalent mental health problems in medical students, including ways to approach and treat them, and on what the Faculty should do to improve mental healthcare for its students.

Patient and Care Delays of Breast Cancer in China / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

PURPOSE: This study differentiates patient and care delays of breast cancer and explores the related factors as well as the associations with the prognosis in Guangzhou, a southern city of China. METHODS: A cohort of female incident breast cancer patients (n=1,551) was recruited from October 2008 to March 2012 and followed up until January 1, 2016 (n=1,374) in the affiliated hospitals of Sun Yat-sen University. The factors associated with patient and care delays were analyzed with multivariable logistic models. Cox proportional hazards regression models were constructed to estimate the impacts of the delays on the prognosis. RESULTS: There were 40.4% patient delay (≥3 months) and 15.5% care delay (≥1 month). The patient delay, but not the care delay, was significantly related to the clinical stage and consequently worsened the prognosis of breast cancer (hazard ratio, 1.45; 95% confidence interval, 1.09 to 1.91 for progression-free survival). The factors related to an increased patient delay included premenopausal status, history of benign breast disease, and less physical examination. CONCLUSION: Patient delay was the main type of delay in Guangzhou and resulted in higher clinical stage and poor prognosis of breast cancer. Screening for breast cancer among premenopausal women may be an effective way to reduce this delay.

Effect of photochemotherapy on expression of gelatases / 上海第二医科大学学报

Objective To determine the effect of photochemotherapy on the expression of gelatinases. Methods Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and gelatine zymography were employed to detect the effect of photochemotherapy on the expression and bioactivity of gelatinases at mRNA and protein levels respectively. Results Combination of ultraviolet A(UVA,0.8-2.0 J/cm2) and 8-methoxypsoralen(8-MOP,100 ng/mL) resulted in a decrease in the expression and bioactivity of gelatinases. Conclusion Photochemotherapy can inhibit the angiogenesis of endothelial cells through downregulating the expression and bioactivity of gelatinases.

Cutaneous lesions and visceral involvement of tuberous sclerosis / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Tuberous sclerosis (TS) is an autosomal dominant disorder with a significant range of clinical expressions. The involvement of vital organs, such as the brain, kidney, heart and lung is the main cause of death in patients with TS. The aim of this study is to summarize the characteristic cutaneous features and common extracutaneous involvement of TS, which are helpful to the early detection of visceral involvement.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The analyzed clinical data from 78 patients with TS included those from detailed history, physical and dermatological examination, cranial computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), abdominal ultrasonography, chest roentgenography, hand and foot X-ray and ophthalmologic examination.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The skin, brain and kidney were involved frequently in TS patients. Hypomelanotic macules were the most common and earliest cutaneous lesions. Their number was more than 3 in 81.5% of the patients. They were followed by facial angiofibromas and Shangreen's patch in a decreasing frequency. Forehead plaque, facial angiofibromas and Shagreen's patch appeared in patients at mean age of 2.6, 6.0 and 8.1 years respectively. Cranial CT showed a high positive rate in TS patients.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Cutaneous features of TS are helpful in the early diagnosis of the disease. Hypomelanotic macules are especially important for patients with epilepsy or babies whose number of hypomelanotic macules is more than 3. Cranial CT is of great value in the diagnosis of TS. The involvement of visceral organs such as the brain and kidney should be examined in TS patients.</p>