Risk of Dementia in Long-Term Benzodiazepine Users: Evidence from a Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: There is conflicting evidence in the literature on the association between benzodiazepines (BDZs) and the risk of dementia. This meta-analysis aimed to determine the relationship between the long-term usage of BDZs and the risk of dementia. METHODS: The PubMed and Embase databases were systematically searched for relevant publications up to September 2017. The literature search focused on observational studies that analyzed the relationship between the long-term use of BDZs and the risk of dementia. Pooled rate ratios (RRs) with 95% confidence interval (CI) were assessed using a random-effects model. The robustness of the results was checked by performing subgroup and sensitivity analyses. RESULTS: Ten studies were included: six case–control and four cohort studies. The pooled RR for developing dementia was 1.51 (95% CI=1.17–1.95, p=0.002) in patients taking BDZ. The risk of dementia was higher in patients taking BDZs with a longer half-life (RR=1.16, 95% CI=0.95–1.41, p=0.150) and for a longer time (RR=1.21, 95% CI=1.04–1.40, p=0.016). CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis that pooled ten studies has shown that BDZ significantly increases the risk of dementia in the elderly population. The risk is higher in patients taking BDZ with a longer half-life (>20 hours) and for a longer duration (>3 years).

Serum levels and significances of miR-335 and miR-155 in primary gallbladder cancer / 国际肿瘤学杂志

Objective To investigate the serum levels and clinical significances of microRNA-335 (miR-335) and microRNA-155 (miR-155) in patients with primary gallbladder cancer (PCG).Methods A total of 96 PCG patients (PCG group) and 50 healthy controls (control group) admitted to the Second People's Hospital of Hainan Province from January 2016 to October 2018 were selected.Real-time quantitative PCR (RT-PCR) was used to detect the serum levels of miR-335 and miR-155 in each group.The relationships between miR-335 and miR-155 levels and clinical pathological characteristics of PCG patients were analyzed.The diagnostic value of miR-335 and miR-155 in PCG was analyzed by ROC curve.Results The serum level of miR-335 in PCG group was significantly lower than that in the control group (1.50 ± 0.42 vs.3.65 ± 1.18,t =10.319,P ＜0.001).The serum level of miR-155 in PCG group was significantly higher than that in the control group (3.18 ±0.61 vs.0.74±0.12,t =13.627,P＜0.001).The serum levels ofmiR-335 and miR-155 in PCG patients were correlated with TNM stage (t =4.863,P =0.024;t =5.117,P =0.008) and lymph node metastasis (t =5.725,P ＜ 0.001;t =6.802,P ＜ 0.001).ROC curve analysis showed that the critical values of serum miR-335 and miR-155 for diagnosing PCG were 1.18 and 2.35,respectively.The area under the curve of the two combined diagnosis of PCG (0.920,95％ CI:0.863-0.977) was the largest,with sensitivity and specificity of 93.8％ and 85.7％.Conclusion The low serum level of miR-335 and high level of miR-155 are associated with the higher TNM stage and lymph node metastasis of PCG,and the combined detection of the two is helpful to improve the diagnostic rate of PCG.

GC-MS based metabolic analysis of baicalein-treated Candida albicans / 第二军医大学学报

Objective To conduct a metabolic analysis of the intracellular metabolism in baicalein-treated Candida albicans, so as to search for possible biomarkers and to discuss the mechanism of baicalein. Methods GC-MS analysis was used to obtain the metabolic fingerprint of C. albicans before and after treatment with baicalein, and multivariate statistical analysis was used to identify the differences in intracellular metabolites between the treated and control groups, so as to search for the possible biomarkers and discuss the possible relevant metabolic pathways. Results and conclusion Twenty metabolites were screened out and selected as potential biomarkers, and they were primarily involved in oxidative stress, citrate cycle, lipid metabolism and amino acid metabolism.

Analysis methods of amino acids and small peptides from microorganism: Recent advance / 第二军医大学学报

Amino acids and small peptides are important active constituents and metabolites of microorganism. With the progression in modern analytical techniques, the qualitative and quantitative analysis methods of amino acids and small peptides from microorganism also keep improving. In this paper, the pretreatment methods were discussed from the quenching, extracting, derivatization and concentration steps. Furthermore, the properties and practical application of the commonly used separation and detection methods were discussed. Meanwhile, the prospects of the analysis methods for amino acids and small peptides from microorganism were also highlighted.

Clinical study of different bowel preparations on changes of gut flora in patients undergoing colorectal resection / 中华胃肠外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the impact of traditional and fast bowel preparation on the changes of gut flora in the patients following colorectal resection.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty patients undergoing colorectal resection from March 2010 to March 2011 in the Nanfang Hospital were randomly divided into the control group(n=27, 3 days of bowel preparation) and the experimental group(n=33, 1 day of bowel preparation). Fresh feces were collected before bowel preparation and on the first defecation after surgery. The postoperative changes in gut flora and septic complications were observed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Gut flora disturbance was found in both groups. The postoperative population of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus decreased significantly(P<0.05), and the decrease was more significant in the experimental group compared to the control group(P<0.05), while E.coli and Staphylococcus were much higher than the preoperative level(P<0.05), which was more significant in the control group. The incidence of postoperative infection was 9.1%(3/33) in the experimental group, which was significantly lower than 29.6%(8/27) in the control group(P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Fast bowel preparation is effective in reducing gut flora disturbance and the incidence of postoperative infection.</p>

Effect of miR-221-specific inhibitor on the proliferation and apoptosis of human colorectal carcinoma cells / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate miRNA-221 expression in human colorectal carcinoma (CRC) cells and the effects of miR-221-specific inhibitor on the proliferation and apoptosis of CRC cells.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Four human CRC cell lines (HT-29, Lovo, SW-480, and CaCO2) were examined for miRNA-221 expression using real-time Q-PCR. The specific 2,-methoxy-modified RNA oligonucleotides of miR-221 (anti-miR-221) were synthesized and transfected into Caco2 cells via liposome, and the changes in the expression of miR-221 in the cells were detected by real-time Q-PCR. The proliferation and apoptosis of the transfected CRC cells were detected using MTT assay and flow cytometry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The 4 human CRC cells showed significantly upregulated expression of miR-221 compare with HUVECs (P<0.01). The miR-221-specific inhibitor, anti-miR-221, significantly inhibited the expression of miR-221 in Caco2 cells and suppressed the cell proliferation, causing also obvious cell apoptosis (P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The miR-221-specific inhibitor shows potent inhibitory effect on the growth of CRC cells, suggesting its value as a potential anti-tumor candidate for treatment of CRC.</p>

MicroRNA-221 promotes colon carcinoma cell proliferation in vitro by inhibiting CDKN1C/p57 expression / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the regulatory effect of microRNA-221 (MIR221) on CDKN1C/p57 expression in colon carcinoma cells in vitro.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Caco2 cells were treated with or without anti-p57-siRNA prior to the addition of pre-MIR221 or anti-MIR221. The MIR221 expression pattern was detected by real-time RT-PCR, and the mRNA and protein levels of CDKN1C/p57 expression were detected using semi-quantitative RT-PCR and Western blotting. Caco2 cell proliferation following the treatment was detected with MTT assay. CDKN1C/p57 3'-UTR fragment was amplified by PCR from the genome DNA of human colon and inserted into a luciferase reporter plasmid. The luciferase reporter plasmid construct was then transfected into Caco2 cells along with pre-MIR221 or anti-MIR221, and the luciferase activity in the transfected cells was detected.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>MIR221-specific inhibitor significantly up-regulated CDKN1C/p57 protein expression in Caco2 cells (P<0.01). Anti-MIR221 could markedly inhibit Caco2 cell proliferation, and the inhibitory effect was obviously abolished by pretreatment with anti-p57-siRNA, suggesting that the inhibition was mediated by CDKN1C/p57 (P<0.01). A significant increase of luciferase activity was detected in Caco2 cells co-transfected with the luciferase reporter plasmid construct and anti-MIR221 (P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>MIR221 can interact with the target site on the 3'-UTR of CDKN1C/p57 mRNA to inhibit CDKN1C/p57 expression by post-transcriptional gene silencing to promote colon carcinoma cell proliferation, suggesting the value of MIR221 as a potential target for treatment of colon carcinoma.</p>

MicroRNA-221 controls CDKN1C/P57 expression in human colorectal carcinoma / 中华胃肠外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the expression of microRNA-221 (miR-221) and CDKN1C/P57 in colorectal carcinoma (CRC) and adjacent non-cancerous tissues. The effect of miR-221-specific inhibitor on cell proliferation and apoptosis in CRC cells was also assessed.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The expression of miR-221 was detected by real-time RT-PCR. CDKN1C/P57 mRNA and corresponding protein expression pattern were detected by semi-quantitative RT-PCR and Western-blot. The specific 2'-methoxy-modified RNA oligonucleotide of miR-221(miRNA inhibitor,anti-miR-221) was designed, synthesized and transfected into Caco2 cell by liposome. Finally, the status of CRC cell proliferation and apoptosis were detected by MTT assay and flow cytometry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The expression of miR-221 was significantly up-regulated in CRC tissues as compared to the adjacent non-cancerous tissues(2.041±1.401 vs. 0.806±0.341, P<0.01). There was no significant difference in CDKN1C/P57 mRNA expression between CRC and non-cancerous tissues, whereas CDKN1C/P57 protein markedly decreased in CRC (3.019±1.708 vs. 0.972±0.316, P<0.01). miR-221-specific inhibitor significantly enhanced CDKN1C/P57 protein expression, inhibited proliferation of CRC cells and induced apoptosis of CRC cells(P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>miR-221 inhibits CDKN1C/P57 expression by post-transcriptional gene silencing to promote CRC development and progression. miR-221-specific inhibitor potentially inhibits the growth of CRC cells. Therefore, it may be a new target for the biologic therapy for CRC.</p>

Effects of FOLFOX4 neoadjuvant chemotherapy on the non-tumoral liver in patients with metastatic colorectal carcinoma / 中华胃肠外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of FOLFOX4 neoadjuvant chemotherapy on the non-tumoral liver in patients with metastatic colorectal carcinoma.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A large series of surgically resected liver metastases(n=42) was selected and the morphological changes were examined by light and electron microscope. The mRNA and protein levels of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) expression were detected by semi-quantitative RT-PCR and Western blotting analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Twelve (63.2%) of the 19 post-chemotherapy liver resection specimens had sinusoidal dilatation and hemorrhage. In contrast, 23 livers treated by surgery alone remained normal. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy could significantly enhance the mRNA and protein levels of CTGF expression in hepatic stellate cells.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Systemic FOLFOX4 neoadjuvant chemotherapy in metastatic colorectal carcinoma frequently causes morphological injuries involving hepatic microvasculature and induces CTGF expression in hepatic stellate cells to participate in hepatic fibrosis.</p>

Expression of R-spondin1 in intestinal epithelium of mice with intestinal ischemia-reperfusion injury / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the expression of R-spondin1 (RSpo1) in the intestinal epithelium of mice with intestinal ischemia-reperfusion injury and explore its significance.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fifty normal male Kunming mice were randomized into sham-operated group (n=10) and intestinal ischemia-reperfusion injury group (n=40), and in the latter group, the mice were subjected to 20-min intestinal mesenteric artery occlusion followed by reperfusion for 6, 12, 24, or 48 h. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and RT-PCR were used to detect intestinal RSpo1 expression of the mice.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The results of RT-PCR and ELISA showed that RSpo1 expression was significantly decreased in mice at 6 h of reperfusion following the intestinal ischemia (P<0.05), and increased gradually with prolonged repersuion time, reaching the peak level at 24 h (P<0.05). The expression underwent rapid decrease afterwards to a significantly lower level than that in the control group at 48 h (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Intestinal ischemia-reperfusion injury may inhibit expression of RSpo1 in the early stage, and enhance its expression in the middle stage. RSpo1 can promote proliferation and differentiation of intestinal epithelial stem cells and plays an important role in the repair intestinal mucosal damage.</p>

Construction of the dioxin bioassay method based on the clonal expressed aryl hydrocarbon receptor system / 中华预防医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the specific binding of the artificial clonal aryl hydrocarbon receptor translocator (ARNT) with the natural aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) and the recolonization by polyclonal antibody. The dose-response relationship with tetrachlo-rodibenzo-dioxin (TCDD) was also studied to develop TCDD detection method and the binding degree related to dose response.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>(1) The target genes including AhR-PAS, AhR-C and ARNT-PAS were amplified by RT-PCR by using the total RNA purified from the liver cells of C57BL/6J mice as templates to construct pGEX-5X1 recombinants. The recombinant plasmids were expressed in E. coli. (2) The rabbits were immuned by the clonal fusion proteins: AhR-PAS, AhR-C to prepare the polyclonal antibody. (3) The natural AhR from the hepatic cytosol of C57BL/6J mice was extracted. The artificial cloning expressed fusion protein:GST-ARNT-PAS and the natural AhR were incubated in different dose of TCDD. The quantity of the heterodimer through affinity adsorption and Western blots were measured.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) The target proteins including AhR-PAS, AhR-C and ARNT-PAS were successfully cloned and expressed in E. coli. (2) The detection limit of polyclonal antibody AhR-PAS and AhR-C were 5 ng and 1 ng, respectively. (3) The total protein concentration prepared from the liver cells was 60.5 mg/ml. The artificial clonal protein ARNT-PAS could specifically bind to the natural AhR complex with the existence of TCDD. The detection limit of TCDD was 0.25 pmol which was 80 pg approximately.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>A TCDD detection method based on the aryl hydrocarbon receptor system was established and the detection limit might reach pg grade.</p>

Dynamic observation of intestinal epithelial stem cells of small intestine during the injured-repaired progress induced by 5-FU / 中华胃肠外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the dynamic changes of intestinal epithelial stem cells during the injured-repaired progress induced by 5-FU.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fifty adult C57BL/6J mice were enrolled in this study, 40 of them were intraperitoneally injected with 5-FU (30 mg per kg of body weigh) for five days, and 10 of them intraperitoneally injected with PBS as control. At day 1, 3, 5, 7 after treatment, the mice were killed and middle intestine was taken. Pathology was examined by HE staining. Musashi-1 (msi-1) expression was detected by immunohistochemical technique. The percentage of Rho low staining cells was detected by flow cytometry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After treatment with 5-FU, the intestinal mucosa was damaged. The Rho low staining cells were increasing, and at day 1 after treatment, the percentage of Rho low staining cells reached the highest level (P<0.01). The number of cells expressing msi-1 did not change significantly (P>0.05), but the percentage of positive msi-1 cells increased significantly (P<0.01). There was positive correlation between the percentage of Rhodamine 123 low staining cells and positive msi-1 cells in each group (r=0.867, P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The Rho low staining cells may contain rich intestinal epithelial stem cells. The intestinal epithelial stem cells expressing msi-1 can regenerate the damage of intestinal mucosa induced by 5-FU.</p>

Screening peptides binding specifically to large intestinal cancer LoVo cells from phage random peptide library / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To screen the polypeptides specifically binding to human large intestinal cancer LoVo cells from a phage-displayed peptide library for potential use as targeting vectors for large intestinal cancer therapy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>With the LoVo cells as the target cells and human normal large intestinal mucosal epithelial cells as the absorber cells for subtraction biopanning from a c7c phage-display peptide library, the positive phage clones were identified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunofluorescence detection. The amino acid sequences of the identified peptides were deduced by DNA sequencing.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After 3 rounds of screening, 5 positive phage clones showing specific binding to LoVo cells and containing conserved motif RPMP were obtained from the 20 randomly selected clones.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Specific peptide against large intestinal cancer cells can be obtained from a phage-display peptide library for use as potential vectors for targeting therapy of large intestinal cancer.</p>

Investigation on nutritional intakes for hospitalized children with blood disease / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the diet and nutritional status of hospitalized children with blood disease in order to provide nutritional guidelines.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The patients' daily dietary intakes, including breakfast, lunch, dinner and additional meals, were recorded in detail for seven consecutive days. The intake amount of various nutrients was calculated using the dietary database.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The majority of children with blood disease showed inadequate intakes of calories [mean 1825.81 kCal/d, 73.62% of the recommended intake (RNI)] and protein (mean 67.68 g/d, 81.34% of RNI). Intakes of vitamin E and riboflavin were adequate, but intakes of vitamin A, thiamine and vitamin C (66.67%, 77.78% and 69.89% of RNI, respectively) were inadequate. Iron and selenium intakes were adequate, but calcium and zinc intakes (41.11% and 56.21% of RNI, respectively) were grossly inadequate.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Hospitalized children with blood disease had decreased dietary intakes of calories, protein, vitamin A, vitamin C, thiamin, calcium and zinc. The dietary pattern and nutritional intake need to be improved.</p>

Study on content of iodine in food in Tianjin market and iodine nutrition conditions among college students / 中华预防医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To know about content of iodine in foods sold in Tianjing markets presently, and the iodine nutrition conditions in college students. It was also aimed to probe the functions of the iodized salt complement with the dietary iodine intake, and whether the urine iodine could reflect dietary iodine intake.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>278 food samples in markets were collected by a randomly stratified sampling method, while the arsenic-cerium catalytic contact method was used to determine the content in food. The dietary information of students for seven days was recorded, and the urine iodine was determined through the arsenic-cerium catalytic spectrophotometry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The determination of 47 kinds and 278 food samples indicated that the content of iodine within animal foods (7.8 microg/100 g - 30.8 microg/100 g) was higher than that within plant foods (1.8 microg/100 g - 16.1 microg/100 g). The investigation also showed that students who regarded vegetarian food as principle accounted for 70. 19%. The amount of dietary iodine intake among those students, based on the dietary survey, was (111.67 +/- 53.18) microg/d, while supplementary iodine from iodized salt was about (230.27 +/- 45.55) microg/d. Therefore, the total iodine provided from diet would be (341.95 +/- 89.58) microg/d. Modified by urine creatinine, the median of urine iodine was 271.28 microg/gCr, and the urine iodine and dietary iodine intake was found positively related (r(s) = 0.463, P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Regarding the vegetarian food as the principle, most of students investigated are not rich. The dietary iodine intake is lower than RDA (150 microg), but it can be obtained the iodized salt by 230. 27 microg, which is the possible supplement to the shortage from foods.</p>

L-arginine reduces intestinal epithelial cell apoptosis in rats with severe abdominal infection / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the effect of L-arginine (L-Arg) on intestinal mucosal cell apoptosis in rats with severe abdominal infection.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Eighteen Wistar rats were randomized into 3 groups, namely the CLP group (n=6) in which the rats were subjected to cecal ligation plus puncture (CLP) to induce severe abdominal infection, L-Arg group (n=6) where the rats received 300 mg/kg peritoneal L-Arg injection following CLP establishment, and the control group (n=6) where the rats underwent ventrotomy only. Intestinal epithelial apoptotic cells were quantified in each group using TUNEL assay 24 h after the operation.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the control group, the rats in CLP and L-Arg groups showed significantly increased number of apoptotic cells in the intestinal epithelium 24 h after the operation (P<0.001). The apoptotic index (AI) in the L-Arg group (18.1-/+2.2) was significantly lower than that in CLP group (20.8-/+2.3, P=0.038).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Severe abdominal infection results in increased apoptosis of the intestinal epithelial cells in rats, and L-Arg treatment may reduce the cell apoptosis.</p>

Expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen in severely damaged small intestinal mucosa due to high-dose 5-FU exposure / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To detect the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in severely damaged intestinal mucosa due to high-dose 5-FU exposure.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty-two adult C57BL/6J mice were subjected to daily intraperitoneal high-dose 5-FU injection at 150 mg/kg for 5 consecutive days, and on days 1, 3, and 5, the mice were sacrificed to obtain the small intestinal tissue for HE straining and immunohistochemistry for detecting PCNA expression. Another 8 mice with intraperitoneal PBS injection served as the control group.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>High-dose 5-FU exposure of the mice resulted in severe intestinal mucous damage, with complete destruction of the villi and crypts and significantly increased cells positive for PCNA expression (P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>High-dose 5-FU treatment can significantly increase the PCNA index, and the cells expressing PCNA can be closely associated with regeneration of the severely damaged mucosa due to the exposure.</p>

Intestinal mucosal pathology in rats with severe abdominal infection / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the pathological changes of the intestinal mucosa in rats with severe abdominal infection.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>A total of 60 SD rats were divided randomly into control group and experimental group (n=30), and in the latter group, the rats underwent cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) while those in the former had only laparotomy. The jejunum and ileum were sampled on postoperative days 1, 2 and 4 for optical and electron microscopic observations. The positivity rate of blood bacterial culture and plasma level of endotoxin were determined in the rats.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>No abnormal changes were observed with either optical and electron microscope in the small intestinal mucous membrane of rats in the control group, but in rats of the experimental group, microscopic examination revealed interstitial edema, vascular engorgement and neutrophil infiltration in the small intestine mucous membrane and the submucosa, and electron microscopy demonstrated loose and disorderly arrangement of the microvilli of the intestinal epithelium. Plasma endotoxin level in rats in the experimental group was 5- to 12-fold higher than that in the control group. The positivity rates of blood bacterial culture were 20%, 30% and 10% on postoperative days 1, 2 and 4 respectively in the experimental group, but were all zero in the control group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Pathologic lesions in the intestinal mucosa occur during the early stage of severe abdominal infection in rats as the result of bacteria and endotoxin translocation.</p>

Beta-catenin expression in intestinal mucosa of rats with severe abdominal infection / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the expression of beta-catenin in the intestinal mucosa of rats with severe abdominal infection.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty healthy adult Wistar rats were randomly divided into a control group (n=10, with celiotomy only) and 3 abdominal infection groups (n=10) sacrificed at 12, 24, 48 h after cecal ligation plus puncture for inducing severe abdominal infection, respectively. Immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR were performed to detect beta-catenin expression in the crypt of the small intestine during severe abdominal infection and in normal conditions.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Rats with severe abdominal infection showed stronger beta-catenin expression in the crypt of the small intestine than normal rats, and the transcription level of beta-catenin was associated with the stages of severe abdominal infection. RT-PCR showed that beta-catenin mRNA increased rapidly 12 h after the infection (0.74-/+0.10 vs 0.52-/+0.06, P<0.01), reaching the peak level at 24 h (0.90-/+0.09, P<0.01), followed then by gradual decrease but remained still obviously higher than the control level at 24 h (0.80-/+0.09, P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Severe abdominal infection may induce beta-catenin expression which might be related with the proliferation and differentiation of intestinal stem cells in such condition and play an important role in intestinal mucosa damage and repair.</p>

Central giant cell lesions of the jaws: a clinicopathological study of 31 cases / 中华口腔医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the clinicopathologic features of central giant cell granuloma (CGCG) of the jaws and the relationship between the pathologic features and its clinical behavior.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Histologic, radiographic and follow-up information for 31 cases of central giant cell granuloma were reviewed. The histopathologic patterns were analyzed between nonrecurrent and recurrent cases for which the following-up information was available.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The majority of the giant cell granuloma of the jaws occurred in patients under 30 with a predilection of females and mostly were involved in the mandible. The radiographic features of CGCG non-specific. The multinucleated giant cell scattered unevenly, the numbers of the nuclei were few and mostly 10-19. The marked fibrosis, the multiple area of hemorrhage, abundant hemosiderin and newly formed bone were always present in the lesions. No significant difference exited between the recurrence and nonrecurrence groups in the pathologic features. The patients with aggressive behavior showed more consistent with the recurrence.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>CGCG was a non-neoplastic lesion of the jaws which was different from the giant cell tumor. It was difficult to distinguish between the CGCG and giant cell tumor (GCT), and to predict its clinical behavior only by the histopathological patterns. It was helpful to combine the clinical presentation of CGCG with its treatment.</p>