Correlation between food-specific IgG antibodies and phenotypes of chronic spontaneous urticaria / 中华皮肤科杂志

Objective:To investigate the correlation between food-specific IgG (sIgG) antibodies and phenotypes of chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) .Methods:Serum samples were collected from outpatients with active CSU, symptomatic dermographism (SD) , or acute urticaria (AU) , and healthy controls from 5 third-grade class-A hospitals such as the First Hospital of China Medical University between April 2014 and March 2015. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was conducted to detect serum levels of 90 food-sIgG antibodies and total IgE, Western blot analysis to detect levels of 20 allergen-specific IgE antibodies, and chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay to detect levels of anti-thyroid peroxidase IgG antibodies and anti-thyroglobulin IgG antibodies. Comparisons of normally distributed quantitative data between two groups and among several groups were performed by t test and one-way analysis of variance, respectively; comparisons of non-normally distributed quantitative data between two groups were performed by Mann-Whitney U test; for comparisons of proportions, chi-square test and Fisher′s exact test were used. Results:A total of 248 patients with CSU, 22 with SD, 15 with AU and 13 healthy controls were recruited. The cut-off level for sIgG positivity was 100 U/ml (at least 2+) , and the positive rate of food-sIgG antibodies was slightly higher in the patients with CSU (176/248, 70.97%) , SD (15/22, 68.18%) and AU (11/15) than in the healthy controls (7/13; χ2 = 1.80, P = 0.615) . Among the 248 CSU patients, the proportion of patients with family history of allergic diseases was significantly higher in the sIgG-positive group (71/176, 40.34%) than in the sIgG-negative group (19/72, 26.39%; χ2 = 4.30, P = 0.042) , while no significant difference was observed in the 1-day urticaria activity score (UASday) between the two groups ( Z = 0.18, P = 0.859) . Totally, 177 CSU patients completed 12- to 40-week treatment; their condition could be completely controlled by second-generation H1-antihistamines, and there was no significant difference in the required dosage of second-generation H1-antihistamines between the sIgG-positive group (128 cases) and sIgG-negative group (49 cases; Z = -1.06, P = 0.298) . Conclusions:The prevalence of family history of allergic diseases was relatively high in food-sIgG-positive patients with CSU. However, food-sIgG could not be used as an indicator to reflect the disease activity of CSU and treatment response.

Xinhui citrus fermentation liquor ameliorates acute ulcerative colitis in mice via regulating intestinal bacteria homeostasis and Nrf2/NLRP3 pathway to repair intestinal mucosa / 药学学报

This study investigated the protective effect and related mechanisms of Xinhui citrus fermentation liquor on mice with ulcerative colitis. Animal experiments follow the rules of Animal Ethics Committee of Southern Medical University. C57BL/6 mice were given 3% dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) for 6 days to induce acute ulcerative colitis. During this period, Xinhui citrus fermentation liquor, decoction of Citrus reticulata blanco (both orally administrated with 300 mg·kg-1·d-1 crude polysaccharide) or positive drug 5-aminosalicylic acid (100 mg·kg-1·d-1) were gavaged continuously for 9 days. Cecal contents were collected for 16S rRNA sequencing analysis. The levels of inflammatory factors, tight junction proteins and nuclear factor erythroid 2 related factor 2 / Nod-like receptor protein 3 (Nrf2/NLRP3) pathway related proteins in the colon were detected by real-time PCR (RT-PCR), immunofluorescence and Western blot. Our results showed that Xinhui citrus fermentation liquor and Citrus reticulata blanco protected against UC-induced weight loss, diarrhea, bloody stool, and colon shortening. The mRNA and protein levels of pro-inflammatory factors, such as interleukin 6 (Il-6) and CXC chemokine ligand 10 (Cxcl10) and NLRP3 inflammasome were significantly decreased; the mRNA levels of colon anti-inflammatory factor (Il-10), tight junction protein [zonula occludens-1 (Zo-1), occludin, claudin-1], mucin 2 (Muc2), Nrf2, as well as the mRNA and protein levels of NAD(P)H quinine oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) and heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) were significantly increased. In addition, Xinhui citrus fermentation liquor increased the abundance of Akkermansia and reduced the abundance of harmful bacteria Enterococcus and Streptococcus. The correlation analysis showed that the abundance of Akkermansia was positively correlated with anti-inflammatory factors, tight junction protein and the related genes levels of Nrf2 signaling pathway. In summary, Xinhui citrus fermentation liquor ameliorates acute ulcerative colitis in mice via regulating intestinal bacteria homeostasis and Nrf2/NLRP3 pathway to repair intestinal mucosa.

Basal Energy Expenditure of Chinese Healthy Adults: Comparison of Measured and Predicted Values / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

Objective@#This study aimed to measure the basal energy expenditure (BEE) of Chinese healthy adults and establish an accurate predictive equation for this population.@*Methods@#In total, 470 Chinese healthy adults had their BEE measured using the Cosmed K4b portable metabolic system. Multiple linear regression analysis was applied to develop new optimal equations for predicting BEE. The bias, accuracy rate, concordance correlation coefficient (CCC), and root mean square error (RMSE) were used to evaluate the accuracy of the predictive equations.@*Results@#There was a significant difference in BEE between males and females, with 5,954 kJ/d and 5,089 kJ/d, respectively. People living in rural areas expended significantly higher BEE (5,885 kJ/d) than those in urban areas (5,279 kJ/d). Previous equations developed by Henry, Schofield, Harris-Benedict (H-B), and Liu overestimated the BEE of Chinese healthy adults. The new equations derived from the present study displayed the smallest average bias and RMSE from the measured basal energy expenditure (mBEE). The CCC of the new equations was higher than other predictive equations, but it was lower than 0.8. There was no significant difference in the accuracy rate among all predictive equations.@*Conclusions@#Sex and regional differences in BEE were observed in Chinese healthy adults. Neither the widely used previous predictive equations nor the one derived in the present study were accurate enough for estimating the BEE of Chinese healthy adults. Further study is required to develop more accurate equations for predicting the BEE of Chinese healthy adults aged between 20-45 years.

An influence on postoperative axial pain by laminoplasty combined with different fixations and bone grafting / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND: In clinical practice, inducible grafting from trimmed spinous process of hinge groove combined with different internal fixators is primarily applied to prevent postoperative axial pain after unilateral open-door cervical expansive laminoplasty. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the influence of autologous grafting of hinge groove combined with two internal fixators on postoperative axial pain after unilateral open-door cervical expansive laminoplasty. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 106 patients with multilevel ossification of cervical posterior longitudinal ligament who had underwent unilateral open-door cervical expansive laminoplasty with pedicle screw fixation (n=52, including grafting in 24 cases and non-grafting in 28 cases) or with mini-plate fixation (n=54, including grafting in 37 cases and non-grafting in 17 cases). Fusion rate of hinge groove, characteristics of postoperative axial pain and postoperative efficacy were evaluated by means of imaging methods. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: All the 106 patients were followed up for 3.2-5.9 years, with no appearance of breaking or loosening of fixed appliances, disruption of the interior cortex of hinge groove. The 19 of 106 cases appeared to have postoperative axial pain, including 9 cases in the pedicle screw group (grafting: 4 cases, non-grafting: 5 cases) and 10 cases in the mini-plate group (grafting: 3 cases, non-grafting: 7 cases). Under the condition of pedicle screw fixation, there were no significant differences in the fusion rate at 3 months postoperatively and improvement rate of Japanese Orthopaedic Association Scale (JOA) score at final follow-up between the grating and non-grafting groups. After the implementation of mini-plate fixation, there was also no difference in JOA improvement rate at final follow-up between the grafting and non-grafting groups, but the fusion rate in the grafting group was significantly higher than that in the non-grafting group at 3 months postoperatively (P < 0.05). After pedicle screw fixation, there was no significant difference in incidence, onset time and severity of initial onset, duration, pain improvement between grafting and non-grafting groups. When fixed by mini-plates, pain duration and pain improvement were better in the grafting group than the non-grafting group (P < 0.05), and there were still no significant differences in the other indices between the two groups. To conclude, hinge grafting combined with pedicle screw fixation cannot affect onset characteristics of postoperative axial pain, while hinge grafting combined with mini-plate fixation can reduce duration of postoperative axial pain, improve prognosis, promote definite fusion of hinge groove, thereby remodeling alignment balance and biomechanical stability as soon as possible.

Influence on postoperative axial symptom by unilateral laminoplasty combined with different fixations / 医疗卫生装备

Objective To observe the influence of preoperatively physical curvature abnormality and different fixation systems on postoperative axial symptom (PAS) and union rate of hinge groove after unilateral expansive laminoplasty for the patient with cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM).Methods The study reviewed 106 CSM patients who underwent unilateral laminoplasty supplemented by lateral mass or pedicle screw/rod fixation with a minimum of 36 months of follow-up.According to being complicated with physical curvature abnormality or not,the incidence,initial onset,severity,duration of PAS and union rate of hinge groove at postoperative 6 months were respectively compared to analyze the influences of two internal methods on the features of PAS.Results For 50 cases without physical curvature abnormality,fusion rates of hinge groove in pedicle placement group was higher than that in lateral mass fixation group,the P value reached statistical difference (t=142.2,P=0.032).Duration of PAS in pedicle group was shorter than that in lateral mass group,the difference reached statistic significance (t=147.2,P=0.019).For 56 cases of with physical curvature abnormality,incidence of PAS in pedicle group presented was lower than that in lateral mass group,the difference achieved statistic significance (x2=3.89,P=-0.042).Conclusion Whether concomitant with physical curvature abnormality or not,pedicle fixation would be beneficial to promoting bony fusion of hinge groove,shortening duration of PAS and reducing incidence of PAS in contrast to lateral mass fixation to some extent after unilateral laminoplasty for treating CSM patients.

Porokeratosis: clinical analysis of seven cases / 中华全科医师杂志

The clinical data of 7 patients with porokeratosis (PK) were analyzed retrospectively.In 7 PK patients, 4 cases were disseminated superficial actinic porokeratosis (DSAP),1 case was disseminated superficial porokeratosis (DSP),1 case was giant porokeratosis (GP) and 1 case was hypertrophic porokeratosis (HP).The characteristic cutaneous manifestations were annular well-circumscribed keratotic plaques with slightly atrophic center and elevated border.All patients shared a common histological hallmark, the cornoid lamella.Four cases of DSAP patients had family medical history, consistent with autosomal dominant inheritance.DSP, GP and HP patients denied family medical history.Diagnosis of PK should be based on clinical manifestations, family medical history and histopathological examination.

Blood lipid, glucose and uric acid levels in patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria / 中华全科医师杂志

Serum triglyceride ( TG ) , total cholesterol ( TC ) , low density lipoprotein cholesterol ( LDL-C) , high density lipoprotein cholesterol ( HDL-C) , uric acid ( UA) levels and fasting blood glucose ( FBG) were measured in 67 patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria ( CSU ) and 66 healthy subjects ( controls).Results showed that the rates of increased serum TG and FBG levels in CSU patients were higher than those in controls ( 19% vs.6%,χ2 =5.309, P 0.05).The rate of rising FBG in CSU patients accompanied by angioedema(4/9)was higher than that in CSU patients without angioedema(7%,χ2 =7.181,P<0.05).

Photoprotective effect of the N-terminal 5-mer peptide analog P165 of amyloid precursor protein in human dermal fibroblasts / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>We showed in our previous study that the N-terminal 17-mer peptide of amyloid precursor protein (APP17-mer peptide), an active peptide segment with trophic and antioxidative effects, protects skin fibroblasts against ultraviolet (UV) damage and downregulates matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP-1) expression. The aim of the current study was to explore the protective effects of P165, the N-terminal 5-mer peptide analog of amyloid precursor protein that is resistant to enzymolysis, on UVA-induced damage in human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>HDFs were cultured in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium without and with P165 (concentrations were 1, 10, and 100 µmol/L). Then, 15 J/cm(2) UVA irradiation was used to obtain the UV-irradiated model. Cell proliferation was analyzed using MTT kit. The collagen type I and MMP-1 contents in cell lysate were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Fluorometric assays were performed to detect the formation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the cells.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>P165 significantly protected the HDFs against UVA-induced cytotoxicity. Compared with the UVA-irradiated control, 1, 10, and 100 µmol/L P165 elevated cell proliferation by 14.98% (P < 0.05), 17.52% (P < 0.01) and 28.34% (P < 0.001), respectively. Simultaneously, 10 and 100 µmol/L P165 increased collagen type I content (both P < 0.05). Moreover, P165 treatment (all concentrations) also markedly suppressed the UVA-induced MMP-1 expression (all P < 0.001). P165 at 1, 10, and 100 µmol/L also reduced UVA-induced ROS generation by 11.27%, 13.69% (both P < 0.05), and 25.48% (P < 0.001), respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>P165 could protect the HDFs against UVA-induced photodamage, including cytotoxicity, and MMP-1 generation. Furthermore, it also increased the collagen type I content in the cells. The inhibitory effect on intracellular ROS generation might be involved in these photoprotective effects. Thus, P165 may be a useful candidate in the prevention and treatment of skin photoaging.</p>

A new flavanol glycoside from Phymatopteris hastata with effect on glucose metabolism / 中国中药杂志

By repeated column chromatography, including silica gel, macroporous resin, and preparative HPLC, a new compound (1) was isolated and purified. On the basis of spectroscopic methods, the structure of 1 was elucidated as ( - ) -epiafzelechin-3, 5-di-O-beta-D-apiofuranoside (1). In the bioassay screening experiments, glucose consumption assays in IR HepG2 cells and colorimetric assay of surface GLUT4myc translocation were used to assess the effects on glucose metabolism of compound 1. Both compound 1 and its derivatives--naringin could improve glucose consumption in IR HepG2 cells and enhance GLUT4 translocation in skeletal muscle cell L6myc in a dose-dependent manner, indicating that these two compouds showed potential anti-diabetic activities in vitro.

Treponema pallidum-specific antibody expression for the diagnosis of different stages of syphilis / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Tp15, Tp17, Tp45, and Tp47 are outer-membrane proteins found in Treponema pallidum, the etiologic agent of syphilis. These proteins are potent antigens and are potential markers for the serological detection of syphilis. The present study analyzed antibodies to these protein antigens (TP-IgM and TP-IgG) in human serum and investigated the expression of these antibodies during different stages of syphilis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Serum samples were collected from 69 subjects (male 45, female 24) diagnosed with syphilis and analyzed by Western blotting for the expression of IgM and IgG against the four protein antigens. Expression levels of the target antibodies were compared during the same stage of syphilis as well as between different stages of this disease.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In subjects with primary syphilis, the positive rate of Tp45 IgM was higher than that of other TP-IgM. Tp15 IgM was detected only in subjects with tertiary syphilis. Similarly, the seroprevalence of Tp45 IgG in primary syphilis was higher than for other TP-IgG. No target TP-IgM was detected in subjects with latent syphilis. In subjects with secondary syphilis, the expression level of Tp15 IgG (138.73 ± 20.16) was higher than for other target TP-IgG. In subjects with tertiary syphilis, all target TP-IgG were detected. In subjects with tertiary or latent syphilis, the expression levels of Tp45 IgG (121.33 ± 11.04 and 110.10 ± 40.19, respectively) were higher than those of other target TP-IgG. The expression levels of all Tp-IgM were similar before or after anti-syphilis treatment. In comparison, the expression levels of all TP-IgG decreased compared with the pre-treatment levels, and this decrease was statistically significant (both P < 0.05) for Tp17 IgG and Tp47 IgG.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>After Treponema pallidum infection, Tp45 IgM appeared first and Tp15 IgM occurred during later stages. The positive rates of all TP-IgG increased with the duration of this disease. Anti-syphilis treatment reduced the expression levels of Tp17 IgG and Tp47 IgG. Larger-scale studies are required to further validate the value of Tp15, Tp17, Tp45, and Tp47 as markers for the early detection of primary and latent syphilis.</p>

Genetic analyses of Chinese patients with digenic oculocutaneous albinism / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Oculocutaneous albinism (OCA) is a heterogeneous and autosomal recessive disorder in all populations worldwide. The mutational spectra of OCA are population-specific. Some OCA patients carry mutations from different OCA genes. In this study, we investigated the frequency of digenic mutations in Chinese OCA patients.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Genomic DNAs were extracted from the blood samples of 184 clinically diagnosed OCA patients and 120 unaffected subjects. The amplified DNA segments of the exons and exon-intron boundaries were screened for mutations of TYR, OCA2, TYRP1, SLC45A2, and HPS1 by direct sequencing. To exclude the previously unidentified alleles from polymorphisms, samples from 120 unaffected controls were sequenced for the same regions of variations.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In all 184 patients, 134 had two pathologic mutations on one locus. Eleven cases had no apparent pathologic mutations in any of the genes studied. Among the remaining 39 patients who had only one pathologic mutation, five patients (2.7% in total) were found to carry the mutational alleles on a second locus in TYR, OCA2 or SLC45A2. Of the five digenic OCA patients, four patients were clinically diagnosed as OCA2 and one patient as OCA1. A previous unidentified allele p.G188D in SLC45A2 was identified, which was not present in the 120 unaffected controls.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The identification of the digenic OCA patients suggests the synergistic roles among TYR, OCA2 and SLC45A2 during melanin biosynthesis, which may cause OCA under digenic mutations. This information will be useful for gene diagnosis and genetic counseling of OCA in China.</p>

Recurrent trichilemmal carcinoma with a large cutaneous horn formation

We describe an unusual case of trichilemmal carcinoma accompanied be a large horn formation in a 79-years-old man who presented with a brown tumor mass including a 15-cm-long horn on the vertex for one and a half years. Two months after the surgical removal of the primary tumor, the tumor recurred with a dimension 10x8x8 cm. The tumor was then excised again and the wound was covered using skin from the patient's back. Microscopically, the tumor showed histology consistent with trichilemmal carcinoma. After 2 years, the patient had not shown any recurrence or metastases. We highlight the features that distinguish trichilemmal carcinoma from the other malignant tumors, such as squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, nodular melanoma, or keratoacanthoma.

Molecular mechanism of hydroxyurea enhances K562 cell apoptosis induced by tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand / 中国医学科学院学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the molecular mechanism via which the chemotherapeutic drug hydroxyurea (HU) enhances K562 cell apoptosis induced by tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Chronic myelogenous leukemia-derived K562 and SVT-35 cells were treated with recombinant soluble TRAIL (rsTRAIL) alone or combined with HU for a time course, and the cell viability was determined by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-4-sulfophenyl-2H-tetrazolium-phenazine methosulphate assay. Western blot was performed to analyze the activation of apoptosis-related protein kinases and the expression of apoptosis inhibitor molecules.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The survival rates of SVT-35 and K562 cells treated with 1 μg/ml rsTRAIL for 24 hours were 32% and 93%, respectively. HU significantly increased the sensitivity of K562 cells to rsTRAIL cytotoxicity. Combination of rsTRAIL and HU resulted in the phosphorylation of rat sarcoma (RAS), mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase kinase (MEK), extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), and c-Jun N-terminal kinase and in the significant reduction of apoptosis-inhibited molecule Fas associated death domain protein-like interleukin-1 beta-convening enzyme inhibitory protein and cellular inhibitor of apoptosis protein-1 in K562 cells.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>HU enhanced K562 cell sensitivity to rsTRAIL is mediated by Ras-MEK-ERK signaling pathway. Expression of antiapoptotic proteins cellular Fas associated death domain protein-like interleukin-1 beta-convening enzyme inhibitory protein and cellular inhibitor of apoptosis protein-1 is also down-regulated during this process. These results may through light on the therapeutic study of human chronic myelogenous leukemia.</p>

A novel missense mutation of the TYR gene in a pedigree with oculocutaneous albinism type 1 from China / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>The mutation of the tyrosinase (TYR) gene results in oculocutaneous albinism type 1 (OCA1), an autosomal recessive genetic disorder. OCA1 is the most common type of OCA in the Chinese population. Hence, the TYR gene was tested in this study. We also delineated the genetic analysis of OCA1 in a Chinese family.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Genomic DNA was isolated from the blood leukocytes of a proband and his family. Mutational analysis at the TYR locus by DNA sequencing was used to screen five exons, including the intron/exon junctions. A pedigree chart was drawn and the fundus of the eyes of the proband was also examined.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A novel missense mutation p.I151S on exon 1, and homozygous TYR mutant alleles were identified in the proband. None of the mutants was identified among the 100 normal control subjects. Genetic analysis of the proband's wife showed normal alleles in the TYR gene. Thus, the fetus was predicated a carrier of OCA1 with a normal appearance.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>This study provided new information about a novel mutation, p.I151S, in the TYR gene in a Chinese family with OCA1. Further investigation of the proband would be helpful to determine the effects of this mutation on TYR activity.</p>

Structural and functional analysis of the N-terminal region of death receptor 5 / 中国医学科学院学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the structure and function of the N-terminal region (NTR) of death receptor 5 (DR5).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A series of deletions of the DR5 extracellular domain (DR5-ECD) proteins were expressed in E.coli. and purified by affinity chromatography. The binding ability of these deletant proteins to AD5-10, a mouse anti-human DR5 monoclonal antibody, was evaluated by immunoblotting and ELISA.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Recombinant DR5-ECD proteins containing the NTR were recognized and bound by AD5-10, while the other deletant proteins without the NTR failed to interact with AD5-10.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>There is an AD5-10 targeting site in the NTR of DR5, which may play a role in developing novel immunotherapies for cancers.</p>

Ultraviolet B light-induced apoptosis in human keratinocytes enriched with epidermal stem cells and normal keratinocytes / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>The stem-cell compartment is the primary target for the accumulation of oncogenic mutations. Overexposure to solar ultraviolet radiation is responsible for the development and progression of > 90% of skin cancers. Ultraviolet B (UVB) light-induced keratinocyte apoptosis is a strong preventive mechanism against carcinogenesis. The aim of this study was to isolate keratinocytes enriched with putative human epidermal stem cells and to investigate their apoptotic induction by UVB.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Keratinocytes enriched with putative human epidermal stem cells were isolated by adherence to collagen IV and the expressions of β1-integrin and p63 were investigated. Keratinocytes enriched with putative human epidermal stem cells and normal keratinocytes were irradiated with UVB at 0 - 80 mJ/cm(2). The apoptotic response was investigated with phase-contrast microscopy, Hoechst 33342 staining, flow cytometry of annexin V/PI, and procaspase-3 Western blotting.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Keratinocyte enriched with stem cells expressed high levels of p63 protein and β1-integrin and low level of pan-keratin (C11). In comparison to non-irradiated cells, significant apoptosis of keratinocyte enriched with stem cells was found with 40 and 80 mJ/cm(2) UVB. However, significant apoptosis of normal keratinocytes was only found for 80 mJ/cm(2) UVB.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Human epidermal stem cells can undergo apoptosis in response to UVB radiation and are more susceptible than other keratinocytes. The method could be used in vitro studies of human epidermal stem cells.</p>

Effects of low-dose aspirin on primary prevention of cardiovascular events: a systematic review / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the effect and safety of low-dose aspirin for primary prevention of cardiovascular events.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We searched for randomized controlled trials (RCT) in the following electronic databases: MEDLINE, EMbase, the Cochrane Library (Issue 3, 2008), CBM, CNKI. Quality assessment and data extraction were conducted by two reviewers independently. All data were analyzed using Review Manager 4.2.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Six studies (TPT, HOT, PPP, WHS, POPADAD, J-PAD) involving a total of 72,466 participants met the inclusion criteria. Meta-analysis results showed that: (1) Compared with placebo, the incidences of total cardiovascular events (RR = 0.85, 95% CI: 0.80-0.92), stroke (RR = 0.87, 95% CI: 0.77-0.98), nonfatal stroke (RR = 0.81, 95% CI: 0.70-0.95) and transient ischemic attack (RR = 0.76, 95% CI: 0.64-0.90) were significantly lower in low-dose aspirin group than those in placebo control group (all P < 0.05). (2) Nonfatal myocardial infarction (RR = 0.89, 95% CI: 0.77-1.02), death from cardiovascular causes (RR = 0.98, 95% CI: 0.86-1.13) and death from any cause (RR = 0.95, 95% CI: 0.88-1.02) were similar between the 2 groups (all P > 0.05). (3) The risk of coronary heart disease was reduced in low-dose aspirin group in the elderly (RR = 0.81, 95% CI: 0.70-0.94, P < 0.05). (4) The risk of bleeding was higher in low aspirin group compared to placebo group (RR = 1.15, 95% CI: 1.12-1.18, P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Low-dose aspirin use could reduce the incidences of total cardiovascular events, stroke, nonfatal stroke and transient ischemic attack but increase the risk of bleeding, the incidence of nonfatal myocardial infarction, death from cardiovascular causes and death from any cause was not affected by low-dose aspirin use. Low-dose aspirin use was also significantly reduced the risk of coronary heart disease in the elderly.</p>

Promoter methylation of CHFR gene in gastric carcinoma tissues detected using two methods / 癌症

<p><b>BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE</b>Transcriptional silencing induced by CpG island methylation is believed to be one of the important mechanisms of carcinogenesis. Checkpoint with fork head-associated and ring finger (CHFR) governs the transition from prophase to prometaphase in response to mitotic stress. This study was to analyze the relationship between the methylation of CHFR gene and the clinicopathologic features of gastric cancer, and the difference of results between methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (MSP) and combined bisulfite restriction analysis (COBRA) in detecting aberrant methylation of CHFR gene in gastric cancer.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Both MSP and COBRA methods were used to detect the promoter methylation of CHFR gene in gastric cancer specimens from 64 patients. The relationship between methylation status of CHFR gene and the clinicopathologic features of gastric cancer were analyzed using SPSS16.0.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The methylation rates of CHFR gene promoter were significantly higher in gastric cancer samples than in the corresponding paracancer normal gastric mucosa by MSP (51.6% vs. 18.8%, P < 0.001). However, there was no significant correlation between methylation status of CHFR gene and the clinicopathologic parameters of gastric cancer, including age, gender, tumor size, clinical stage, Borrman type, tumor invasion depth, differentiation, and lymph node metastasis (P > 0.05). Aberrant methylation of the CHFR gene was detected in 27 (42.2%) of the 64 specimens of gastric cancer using COBRA, which did not significantly differ from that using MSP (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Aberrant methylation of the CHFR gene is a frequent event in the carcinogenesis of gastric cancer. Detecting the methylation of CHFR gene in gastric mucosa may conduce to the diagnosis of gastric cancer. No difference was found between MSP and COBRA in detecting promoter methylation of CHFR gene in gastric cancer.</p>

Characterization of a small molecule inhibitor of tumor necrosis factor-alpha production / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Numerous studies have shown that reducing the level of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα) through the use of anti-TNF antibodies or soluble TNF receptor is a safe and efficacious treatment to inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. Therefore, novel approaches to achieve this outcome are desired. The aim of this study was to investigate the characterization of a small molecule inhibitor, Y316, which blocks TNF mRNA upregulation and TNF production by lipopolysaccharides (LPS) stimulated monocytes.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from healthy volunteers were plated in 24-well plates and stimulated with LPS (1 µg/ml), phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) (100 ng/ml), zymosan (10 µg/ml) and Tsst (100 ng/ml). Supernatants were collected after 4-hour culture at 37°C, and quantitative determination of TNFα, interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6, IL-8, IL-10 and IL-2 production in the supernatants was performed by colorimetric enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Total RNA of PBMC was isolated and cytokine mRNA quantitation was performed by using a RNA level measuring kit (R & D Systems). PBMC were pretreated with Y316 (10 µmol/L, 1 µmol/L, 0.1 µmol/L, 0.01 µol/L and 0.001 µmol/L) or dimethyl sulfoxide at 37°C for 10 minutes, and then stimulated with LPS or PMA, protein concentrations of p44.42, IKBα, P38 and Jun NH2-terminal kinase were determined by Western blotting. Cyclic adenosine-3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP) of PBMC was measured by enzyme immunoassay kit (Amersham Pharmacia Biotech).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Y316 blocked TNF production and inhibited the upregulation of TNF mRNA levels in response to LPS, and also prevented the production of IL-1 and IL-6. In contrast, Y316 augmented the production of IL-10 in LPS-stimulated monocytes. Y316 failed to prevent the production of IL-2 and TNF in antigen-stimulated T cells, suggesting that its effects may be cell-type specific. Y316 prevented the phosphorylation and activation of the MAPK, ERK, and therefore appeared to mediate its effects on TNF by acting at an early point in the signaling cascade induced in response to LPS. There was no effect of Y316 on cAMP levels either alone or in the presence of LPS.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Y316 appears to be a small molecule inhibiting TNF production, which may act via a novel mechanism. Identification of the target of Y316 may lead to the development of alternative strategies for achieving selective cytokine inhibition.</p>

Biological characteristics of dendritic cells derived from peripheral blood of patients diagnosed with syphilis / 中华皮肤科杂志

Objective To study the biological characteristics of dendritic cells (DCs) derived from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of patients diagnosed with syphilis. Methods PBMCs were isolated from 16 patients clinically and serologically diagnosed with syphilis, and from 16 healthy human controls, then cultured with GM-CSF and IL-4. On day 10, the monocyte-derived dendritic cells (MoDCs)of the patients and controls were collected and subjected to the detection of surface molecules by flow cytometry; TpN17 was used to stimulate MoDCs from the controls, the expression of phosphorylated ERK was detected by Westem blotting 20 minutes following the stimulation. Results The positivity rate of CD80 was significantly increased in the patients with syphilis than that in the controls (51.90% vs 33.67,P ＜ 0.05), while no significant difference was observed in the expressions of CD83, CD86 or HLA-DR be tween the two groups (16.53% vs 15.99%, 66.13% vs 59.32%, 91.29% vs 90.51%, all P 0.05). The ex pressions of CD80 and CD83 on the surface of MoDCs were enhanced in a dose-dependent manner after ex-posure to TpN17. The expression of cytoplasmic phosphorylated ERK was observed in MoDC stimulated by TpN17, but not in those without the treatment. Conclusions Antigenic stimulation with Treponema pal-lidum may be a reason for phenotypic abnormality of MoDCs derived from patients with syphilis. TpN17 may stimulate the maturation of DCs through the ERK signal transduction pathway.