Potassium dehydroandrographolide succinate regulates the MyD88/CDH13 signaling pathway to enhance vascular injury-induced pathological vascular remodeling / 中国天然药物

Pathological vascular remodeling is a hallmark of various vascular diseases. Previous research has established the significance of andrographolide in maintaining gastric vascular homeostasis and its pivotal role in modulating endothelial barrier dysfunction, which leads to pathological vascular remodeling. Potassium dehydroandrographolide succinate (PDA), a derivative of andrographolide, has been clinically utilized in the treatment of inflammatory diseases precipitated by viral infections. This study investigates the potential of PDA in regulating pathological vascular remodeling. The effect of PDA on vascular remodeling was assessed through the complete ligation of the carotid artery in C57BL/6 mice. Experimental approaches, including rat aortic primary smooth muscle cell culture, flow cytometry, bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation assay, Boyden chamber cell migration assay, spheroid sprouting assay, and Matrigel-based tube formation assay, were employed to evaluate the influence of PDA on the proliferation and motility of smooth muscle cells (SMCs). Molecular docking simulations and co-immunoprecipitation assays were conducted to examine protein interactions. The results revealed that PDA exacerbates vascular injury-induced pathological remodeling, as evidenced by enhanced neointima formation. PDA treatment significantly increased the proliferation and migration of SMCs. Further mechanistic studies disclosed that PDA upregulated myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88) expression in SMCs and interacted with T-cadherin (CDH13). This interaction augmented proliferation, migration, and extracellular matrix deposition, culminating in pathological vascular remodeling. Our findings underscore the critical role of PDA in the regulation of pathological vascular remodeling, mediated through the MyD88/CDH13 signaling pathway.

Effect of transient forebrain ischemia-reperfusion on the binding of brain-derived neurotrophic factor promoters to histone deacetylase 3 in hippocampus of rat and its mechanism / 中国生物制品学杂志

Transient forebrain ischemia-reperfusion(I/R);Brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF);Histone deacetylase 3(HDAC3);Hippocampus@#Objective To evaluate the effect of transient forebrain ischemia-reperfusion(I/R)on the binding of brainderived neurotrophic factor(BDNF)promoters to histone deacetylase 3(HDAC3)in the hippocampus of rat and investigate its mechanism.Methods The I/R model of SD rats(I/R group)was established by Pulsinelli four-vessel clamping method,and sham operation group(Sham group)was set at the same time,which were observed for the survival of neurons in the hippocampus of rats by Nissl staining,detected for the binding of BDNF promoters(Bdnf-p1,Bdnf-p2,Bdnf-p4 and Bdnf-p6)to HDAC3 by chromatin immunoprecipitation(ChIP)and determined for the expression of brain derived neurotrophic factor antisense(BDNF-AS)by qPCR.Results Compared with Sham group,the quantity of neurons in hippocampal CA1 region of rats decreased significantly in I/R group,while those in CA3 region and DG region showed no significant changes.The binding levels of Bdnf-p1 and Bdnf-p2 to HDAC3 in hippocampal CA1 region decreased significantly in I/R Group(t = 2.575 and 2.241 respectively,each P<0.05),while there was no significant difference in the binding levels of Bdnf-p4 and Bdnf-p6 to HDAC3(t = 1.033 and 0.348 respectively,each P>0.05);The binding levels of Bdnf-p1 and Bdnf-p2 to HDAC3 in CA3 region increased significantly(t = 12.600 and 3.191,P<0.001 and<0.05,respectively),while the binding level of Bdnf-p6 to HDAC3 decreased significantly(t = 4.029,P<0.05)and no significant difference was observed in the binding level of Bdnf-p4 to HDAC3(t = 0.175,P>0.05);In DG region,the binding level of each BDNF promoter to HDAC3 showed no significantly difference(t = 0.630 ～ 1.687,each P>0.05).Meanwhile,the expression level of BDNF-AS in hippocampal CA1 region of rats decreased significantly(t = 2.560,P<0.05),but increased significantly in hippocampal CA3 and DG regions(t = 3.543 and 3.637 respectively,each P<0.01)in I/R group.Conclusion I/R showed a significant effect on the binding level of BDNF promoter to HDAC3 in rat hippocampus,which may play a role by changing the expression level of BDNF-AS.

Advances in the Role of Low-Dose Interleukin-2 in Immune-Mediated Dermatosis / 中国医学科学院学报

Immune-mediated dermatoses are the skin diseases caused by the breakdown of immune tolerance,including lupus erythematosus and dermatomyositis.The imbalance between regulatory T cells (Tregs) and effector T cells (Teffs) plays a key role in the pathogenesis of these diseases.Low-dose interleukin-2 can preferentially activate Tregs and reverse the imbalance between Tregs and Teffs to recover the immune tolerance,which has attracted attention in the treatment of immune-mediated dermatoses.This review summarizes the research progress in the immunomodulatory mechanism and clinical application of low-dose interleukin-2 in immune-mediated dermatoses,providing a new idea for the clinical treatment of these diseases.

Effects of velvet antler polypeptide on Rho/ROCK pathway in APP/ PSl double transgenic mice / 解剖学报

Objective To study the effect of velvet antler polypeptides (VAP) on Rho/ROCK pathway in APP/ PSl double transgenic mice. Methods APP/PSl double transgenic mice were randomly divided into model group and velvet antler polypeptide group, 20 mice in each group, and control group consisting of 20 mice of the same litter and the same gender negative. The mice in VAP group were given velvet antler polypeptide 100 mg/kg by intragastric administration once a day for 28 days. After treatment, the water maze experiment was detected and recorded the escape latency and the number of crossing platforms of the mice; the ultrastructures of the synapse were observed by transmission electron microscopy; the expression of Rhs homolog gene family member A(RhoA) and Rho associated coiled-coil forming protein kinase II(ROCKII) in the hippocampal CAI area were observed by immunofluorescence. The expression levels of RhoA and ROCKII protein in the hippocampus were detected by Western blotting. The contents of hippocampus amyloid (3-protein(A(3),

Anti-oxidative stress mechanism of velvet antler polypeptide in Alzheimer's disease model mice / 解剖学报

Objective To study the effect of velvet antler polypeptides (VAP) on antioxidant in Alzheimer' s disease model mice. Methods Eight months old male amyloid precursor protein (APP)/presenilin-l (PS1) double transgenic mice were selected as Alzheimer' s disease (AD) model and divided into the model group and the VAP intervention group, 12 in each group. Besides, normal mice of the same brood (with no transgene) were recruited as a control group (n= 12).After 6 months of intragastric administration, behavior, morphology and oxidative stress related indicators were detected.SH-SY5 cells were used to establish AD model of damaged by Ap2535. The expression levels of APP and p-secreatase-l(BACE1) protein in mouse hippocampus were detected by Western blotting. VAP intervention group SH-SY5Y cells was cultured with VAP (500 g/L) and amyloid P(Ap) 2535(25 ixmol/L) for 24 hours. Control group cells were normally cultured by DMEM medium. Cell apoptosis, membrane potential, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and oxidative stress related indexes were detected. Results In animal models, compared with the model group, the escape latency of mice in the VAP intervention group was shortened (P<0. 05). The neuronal cells in the CA1 region of the hippocampus of the model group were reduced and arranged disorderly. The arrangement of the VAP intervention group was relatively regular, and the morphology was significantly improved. Compared with the model group, senile plaques were decreased in the VAP intervention group. Compared with the model group, the malondialdehyde (MDA) content ol the VAP intervention group increased, and the superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) content increased, the difference was statistically significant. Compared with the control group, the APP and BACE1 content in the model group increased. Compared with the model group, the contents of APP and BACE1 in the VAP intervention group decreased, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0. 05). In the cell model, the apoptosis rates of the VAP intervention group decreased. Compared with the model group, the mitochondrial membrane potential of the VAP intervention group increased, the content ol ROS decreased, the content of MDA decreased, and the content of SOD and GSH-Px increased. The difference were statistically significant (P<0. 05). Conclusion VAP has a protective effect on oxidative stress damage caused by Alzheimer' s disease model animals and cells, which may be achieved by reducing ROS production and increasing the activity of antioxidant enzymes to reduce Ap deposition.

Study on the correlation between preoperative albumin-globulin ratio and prognosis of patients with low rectal cancer surgery / 国际外科学杂志

Objective:To analyze the preoperative albumin-globulin ratio (AGR) of patients with low rectal cancer, and explore its correlation with the clinical outcome of patients after surgery.Methods:One hundred and fifty-two patients who underwent radical resection of low rectal cancer at the General Surgery Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University from June 2013 to June 2015 were selected as the research objects. According to the clinical outcome of the patients, the patients were divided into survival group (128 cases) and death group (24 cases). The general clinical data and preoperative and postoperative serum ALB, GLB, and AGR levels of the two groups of patients were compared; multivariate logistic regression analysis of factors affecting postoperative death of patients; a nomogram prediction model was constructed and verified based on the independent risk factors selected ; ROC curve analyzes the predictive value of AGR for patients′ clinical outcomes, and obtains the best cut-off value; analyzes the correlation between AGR and postoperative clinical outcomes of patients; divides patients into group A and group B according to the cut-off value, and draws by Kaplan-Meier method Survival curve, comparing the survival rate of the two groups of patients during the 5-year follow-up period.Results:In the survival group, the number of tumor stages was Ⅰ, Ⅱ, and Ⅲ, the number of cells with high/moderate differentiation, the depth of tumor invasion was T1/T2, the number, the number of lymph node metastasis, the number of chemotherapy, the preoperative ALB, GLB, and AGR levels were 68 cases, respectively, 42 cases, 18 cases, 99 cases, 95 cases, 108 cases, 60 cases, (43.52±6.73) g/L, (23.75±4.38) g/L, 1.90±0.34, the death group was 6 cases and 11 cases respectively, 7 cases, 15 cases, 17 cases, 18 cases, 8 cases, (39.42±4.28) g/L, (26.58±4.12) g/L, 1.62±0.45, the difference was statistically significant ( t/ χ2=18.695, 4.455, 5.120, 3.742, 2.137, 2.873, 2.931, 3.506, all P<005), all of which were independent risk factors leading to death. ALB, GLB, and AGR in the survival group were (38.72±5.69) g/L and (24.13±4.56), respectively g/L, 1.60±0.35, ALB and AGR were significantly lower than before operation ( t=6.162, 6.956, both P<005), and the death group were (34.18±4.37) g/L and (26.92±4.25) g/L, respectively, 1.27±0.39, ALB and AGR were significantly lower than before operation ( t=4.197, 2.879, both P<005), ALB and AGR of the death group were significantly lower than those of the survival group, and GLB was significantly higher than that of the survival group, the difference was statistically significant ( t=3.705, 2.779, 4.162, all P<005); the best cut-off value of AGR predicting patient death was 1.73; AGR≤1.73 was closely related to postoperative recurrence and death ( OR=1.18, 1.23, 95% CI: 1.02-1.59, 1.08-1.64, both P<005); the number of survivors of patients with AGR>1.73 was 98, which was significantly higher than that of patients with AGR≤1.73 (30 cases). The difference is statistically significant ( χ2=24.869, P<0.05). Conclusion:The preoperative serum AGR level is an independent risk factor affecting the postoperative clinical outcome of patients with low rectal cancer. Patients with a low level of AGR are at greater risk of postoperative death. The preoperative serum AGR level has a higher predictive value for the patient′s clinical outcome.

Determination of carbohydrate chains in two kinds of microvascular endothelial cells by lectin cytochemistry / 解剖学报

Objective To determine the expression pattern of carbohydrate chains in two kinds of microvascular endothelial cells (MVECs). Methods Rat jejunal mucosal MVECs were thawed, and lung tissues were removed from specific pathogen free piglet of 3 days old to isolate and culture porcine pulmonary MVECs by collagerase digestion and differential attachment. By lectin cytochemistry, staining of 8 lectins including concanavalin A (Con A), phaseolus vulgaris erythroagglutinin (PHA-E), ricinus communis agglutinin I (RCA-I), lycopersicon esculentum lectin (LEL), sambucus nigra lectin (SNA), ulex europaeus agglutinin I (UEA-I), wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) and dolichos biflorus agglutinin (DBA) was detected in rat jejunal mucosal and porcine pulmonary MVECs. Results In rat jejunal mucosal MVECs, strong positve staining was present for Con A, WGA and LEL, medium one for PHA-E N SNA and RCA-I, weak one for DBA, and negative staining for UEA-I. In porcine pulmonary MVECs, strong positive staining was present for Con A and PHA-E, medium one in RCA-I, weak one for LEL and SNA, and negative staining for UEA-I, WGA and DBA. Conclusion The carbohydrate patterns in two kinds of MVECs display significant heterogeneity. Both rat jejunal mucosal and porcine pulmonary MVECs express mannose, galactose, 1, 3-N-acetylglucosamine and sialic acid at different levels. N-acetylglucosamine and N-acetylgalactosamine are detected in the former but not in the latter, and fucose do not in both MVECs.

Clinical Analysis of Eight Cases of Pemphigus with High Titers of Anti-desmoglein Antibodies in Remission / 中国医学科学院学报

Objective To investigate the clinical manifestations,diagnosis,treatment,and laboratory examination characteristics of 8 pemphigus patients with high titers of anti-desmoglein antibodies in remission. Methods A retrospective study was conducted for the pemphigus patients diagnosed and treated in the department of dermatology from January 2013 to September 2020.The patients should have the serum anti-desmoglein antibodies ≥150 U/ml in remission or the antibody levels dropped less than 20%(calculated based on the maximum detection limit of 150 U/ml)of their initial ones detected before treatment,and the clinical and laboratory data of patients eligible for the inclusion criteria were collected. Results Among the 134 pemphigus patients with available follow-up data during this period,a total of 8 patients met the criteria,with the follow-up period of 21-85 months and the remission duration of 18-70 months.They all received less than or equal to 10 mg/d prednisone and had high titers of anti-desmoglein antibodies.At their first visit,the number of patients with positive anti-desmoglein 1/desmoglein 3 antibodies was 7.Two patients still had high titers of anti-desmoglein 1 antibodies 19 months and 21 months after they achieved remission,and 5 patients had high titers of anti-desmoglein 3 antibodies in 18-70 months.There was one patient showing high titers of both antibodies,especially for anti-desmoglein 1 antibodies.This patient relapsed after 19 months' remission while other patients were still in clinical remission. Conclusions Some pemphigus patients showed persistent high titers of anti-desmoglein antibodies in remission.Anti-desmoglein 3 antibodies were more common to keep positive,while high titer of anti-desmoglein 1 antibodies was less observed.The high titer of anti-desmoglein 1 antibodies had a correlation with recurrence.For the pemphigus patients with long-term clinical remission but high antibody titer,the dosages of corticosteroids should be adjusted carefully according to their actual clinical manifestations and the positive antibody type.For the patients with high titer of anti-desmoglein 1 antibodies,the dosage reduction of corticosteroids should be appropriately slower.

Distribution and Influencing Factors of Patients with Extra-long Hospital Stay from 128 Hospitals in Hubei Province / 公共卫生与预防医学

Objective Analyze the distribution and influencing factors of inpatients with extra-long hospital stay in Hubei Province. Methods Length of stay≥30 days was defined as the extra-long hospital stay, and logistic regression was used to determine the risk factors. Results There were 26 043 cases with extra-long hospital stay, which accounting for 2.88% of the total cases. Proportion of extra-long hospital stay was increased with age, the proportion of the group aged 65 and above was the highest (3.25%), and which were higher in males than that of females, the sex ratio was 1.58. Patients with extra-long hospital stay mainly had injury/poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes (16.88%), circulatory system disease (12.72%), neoplasms (11.23%), genitourinary system diseases (8.13%), mental and behavioral disorders (6.27%), and the proportion totaled up to 52.23%. Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that gender, age, type of disease, surgery or not and hospital grade were the influencing factors of extra-long hospital stay. Conclusions There are differences in the distribution of extra-long hospital stay in different individuals, diseases and medical treatment, targeted measures should be taken to shorten the length of stay.

Deep learning-based, computer-aided classifier developed with dermoscopic images shows comparable performance to 164 dermatologists in cutaneous disease diagnosis in the Chinese population / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

BACKGROUND@#Diagnoses of Skin diseases are frequently delayed in China due to lack of dermatologists. A deep learning-based diagnosis supporting system can facilitate pre-screening patients to prioritize dermatologists' efforts. We aimed to evaluate the classification sensitivity and specificity of deep learning models to classify skin tumors and psoriasis for Chinese population with a modest number of dermoscopic images.@*METHODS@#We developed a convolutional neural network (CNN) based on two datasets from a consecutive series of patients who underwent the dermoscopy in the clinic of the Department of Dermatology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, between 2016 and 2018, prospectively. In order to evaluate the feasibility of the algorithm, we used two datasets. Dataset I consisted of 7192 dermoscopic images for a multi-class model to differentiate three most common skin tumors and other diseases. Dataset II consisted of 3115 dermoscopic images for a two-class model to classify psoriasis from other inflammatory diseases. We compared the performance of CNN with 164 dermatologists in a reader study with 130 dermoscopic images. The experts' consensus was used as the reference standard except for the cases of basal cell carcinoma (BCC), which were all confirmed by histopathology.@*RESULTS@#The accuracies of multi-class and two-class models were 81.49% ± 0.88% and 77.02% ± 1.81%, respectively. In the reader study, for the multi-class tasks, the diagnosis sensitivity and specificity of 164 dermatologists were 0.770 and 0.962 for BCC, 0.807 and 0.897 for melanocytic nevus, 0.624 and 0.976 for seborrheic keratosis, 0.939 and 0.875 for the "others" group, respectively; the diagnosis sensitivity and specificity of multi-class CNN were 0.800 and 1.000 for BCC, 0.800 and 0.840 for melanocytic nevus, 0.850 and 0.940 for seborrheic keratosis, 0.750 and 0.940 for the "others" group, respectively. For the two-class tasks, the sensitivity and specificity of dermatologists and CNN for classifying psoriasis were 0.872 and 0.838, 1.000 and 0.605, respectively. Both the dermatologists and CNN achieved at least moderate consistency with the reference standard, and there was no significant difference in Kappa coefficients between them (P > 0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#The performance of CNN developed with relatively modest number of dermoscopic images of skin tumors and psoriasis for Chinese population is comparable with 164 dermatologists. These two models could be used for screening in patients suspected with skin tumors and psoriasis respectively in primary care hospital.

Effect of epigallocatechin gallate on expressions of synaptic plasticity and neural cell adhesion molecules in APP / PS1 double transgenic mice / 解剖学报

Objective To observe the effect of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) on the spatial learning memory deficit in amyloid procursor protein (APP) / presenilin-1 (PS1) double transgenic mice, synaptic ultrastructure and expression of neural cell adhesion molecule in hippocampal CA1 region. Methods Eight weeks old male APP / PS1 double transgenic mice were selected as Alzheimer’s disease (AD) model and divided into the model group, the EGCG group and the donepezil hydrochloride group, 12 in each group.Besides,normal mice of the same brood (with no transgene) were recruited as a normal group (n = 12). Related indices were detected after 6 months continuous gastrogavage. The spatial learning-memory deficit of APP / PS1 double transgenic mice was detected by Morris water maze test. The synaptic ultrastructure of hippocampal CA1 region was observed by transmission electron microscopy. The expression levels of neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) and polysialyltranseferase α2,8-polysialic acid (ST8Sia Ⅱ) protein in hippocampal CA1 region of APP / PS1 transgenic mice were detected by immunofluorescence and Western blotting. Results Compared with the normal group, the mean value of escape latency in the model group was extended, and compared with the model group, the mean value of escape latency in the EGCG group and donepezil hydrochloride group were increased (P < 0. 05) . The result of electron microscope showed that the changes of synaptic interface curvature of EGCG group and donepezil hydrochloride group were not obvious. Compared with the model group, the width of the synaptic gap becomes narrower and the thickness of the post-synaptic compact were increases (P < 0. 05) . Immunofluorescence showed that the expression of NCAM and ST8Sia Ⅱ proteins in the hippocampus CA1 region was expressed in the cytoplasm of neurons, the expressions of NCAM and ST8Sia Ⅱ in hippocampal CA1 region were significantly increased in EGCG group and donepezil hydrochloride group (P< 0. 05) . Their contents also showed higher levels of expression in Western blotting (P < 0. 05) . Conclusion EGCG shows improvement on the spatial learning-memory deficit in APP / PS1 double transgenic mice,which may be associated with affecting the synaptic structure of hippocampus and improving the expressions of neural cell adhesion molecule.

IL-36 Promotes Inflammatory Activity and Inhibits Differentiation of Keratinocytes / 中国医学科学杂志(英文版)

Objective Psoriasis is an immune-mediated inflammatory disease. Despite advances in the study of its pathogenesis, the exact development mechanism of psoriasis remains to be fully elucidated. Hyperproliferative epidermis plays a crucial role in psoriasis. This study aimed to investigate the effects of interleukin-36 (IL-36) on keratinocyte dysfunction . Methods Human keratinocyte cell lines, HaCaT cells, were treated with 0 (control), 50 or 100 ng/ml IL-36 respectively for 24 h. Cell viability was determined with a cell counting kit-8 assay. Flow cytometry was used to assess the effects of IL-36 on apoptosis and cell cycle distribution. Expressions of the differentiation markers, such as keratin 10 and involucrin, were evaluated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Expressions of the inflammatory cytokines, IL-1 and IL-6 were tested by ELISA. Results CCK8 assay showed the survival rate had no significant difference between the control and treated group ( > 0.05). Flow cytometry analysis showed cell cycle arrest at S phase in the IL-36-treated groups compared with the control group ( < 0.05). RT-qPCR verified the decreased mRNA expressions of keratin 10 and involucrin in the IL-36-treated groups compared with the negative control ( < 0.01). ELISA showed 100 ng/ml IL-36 enhanced levels of IL-1 and IL-6 in culture supernatants of HaCaT cells compared with the negative control ( < 0.05). Conclusion Taken together, these findings suggest that IL-36 could induce cell cycle arrest at S phase, inhibit keratin 10 and involucrin expressions and promote inflammatory activity in HaCaT cell lines.

High-frequency ultrasound features of basal cell carcinoma and its association with histological recurrence risk / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

Background@#Due to advances in high-frequency ultrasound technology, it is easier to detect fine structures of skin lesions. The aim of this study was to examine the ultrasonographic features and use recurrence risk stratification to assess the diagnostic performance of pre-operative ultrasound examination of basal cell carcinoma (BCC).@*Methods@#This was a retrospective study. Forty-six BCC lesions underwent pre-operative ultrasound examination using 50- and 20- MHz probes. Ultrasonographic shape, margin, internal echoes, hyper-echoic spots, posterior echoes, and depth of the lesion were evaluated and correlated with the risk of recurrence based on histological features.@*Results@#Forty-two patients had 46 skin lesions in total. The high-risk (n = 6) and low-risk (n = 40) groups exhibited considerable overlap in the ultrasonographic manifestations and no significant difference in margin (χ2 = 3.231, P = 0.072), internal echo (χ2 = 1.592, P = 0.207), or posterior echo (P = 0.169). However, high-risk BCCs tended to be irregular in shape than low-risk lesions (χ2 = 4.313, P = 0.038). Both types presented hyper-echoic spots (χ2 = 1.850, P = 0.174). Additionally, 78% of low-risk lesions were confined to the dermis (31/40), and 100% of high-risk lesions infiltrated into the sub-cutaneous tissue, resulting in a significant difference between the two groups (χ2 = 10.951, P = 0.001). Ultrasound detected sub-clinical lesions in five patients.@*Conclusions@#High-frequency ultrasound can provide important information for pre-operative evaluation of risk in BCC foci and reveal hidden lesions. The technique may play a crucial role in guiding therapeutic options for BCC.

High-frequency ultrasound features of basal cell carcinoma and its association with histological recurrence risk / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

BACKGROUND@#Due to advances in high-frequency ultrasound technology, it is easier to detect fine structures of skin lesions. The aim of this study was to examine the ultrasonographic features and use recurrence risk stratification to assess the diagnostic performance of pre-operative ultrasound examination of basal cell carcinoma (BCC).@*METHODS@#This was a retrospective study. Forty-six BCC lesions underwent pre-operative ultrasound examination using 50- and 20-MHz probes. Ultrasonographic shape, margin, internal echoes, hyper-echoic spots, posterior echoes, and depth of the lesion were evaluated and correlated with the risk of recurrence based on histological features.@*RESULTS@#Forty-two patients had 46 skin lesions in total. The high-risk (n = 6) and low-risk (n = 40) groups exhibited considerable overlap in the ultrasonographic manifestations and no significant difference in margin (χ = 3.231, P = 0.072), internal echo (χ = 1.592, P = 0.207), or posterior echo (P = 0.169). However, high-risk BCCs tended to be irregular in shape than low-risk lesions (χ = 4.313, P = 0.038). Both types presented hyper-echoic spots (χ = 1.850, P = 0.174). Additionally, 78% of low-risk lesions were confined to the dermis (31/40), and 100% of high-risk lesions infiltrated into the sub-cutaneous tissue, resulting in a significant difference between the two groups (χ = 10.951, P = 0.001). Ultrasound detected sub-clinical lesions in five patients.@*CONCLUSIONS@#High-frequency ultrasound can provide important information for pre-operative evaluation of risk in BCC foci and reveal hidden lesions. The technique may play a crucial role in guiding therapeutic options for BCC.

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor of the prostate after transurethral resection of the prostate with negative expression of anaplastic lymphoma kinase: a case report

ABSTRACT CONTEXT: Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors are a rare type of soft-tissue tumor. Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors are characterized by rearrangements involving the anaplastic lymphoma kinase gene locus on 2p23. Case Report: We report the case of a 67-year-old Chinese male who presented with dysuria and fever. Magnetic resonance imaging showed an irregular prostatic mass with an isointense signal and obscure boundary. Histopathological evaluation showed that the mass consisted mainly of spindle-shaped cells. Immunohistochemical evaluation showed that the tumor cells were negative for anaplastic lymphoma kinase. CONCLUSIONS: Inflammatory myofibroblastic prostate tumors are rare lesions with unclear etiology. The pathological diagnosis is very important.

Interleukin-6 in Psoriasis / 中国医学科学院学报

Psoriasis is a common,multifactorial,chronic inflammatory skin disease with an incompletely understood pathogenesis. A substantial number of inflammatory cytokines have been found to be elevated in psoriatic lesions,and the serum levels of a subset of these cytokines also correlate with the severity of psoriasis. Interleukin-6 is a multifunctional pro-inflammatory cytokine. Interleukin-6 is proved to be associated with many chronic inflammatory diseases and autoimmunity diseases such as psoriasis. This article reviews the relationship between interleukin-6 and psoriasis.

Psoriasis,Cardiovascular Disease,and Adipokines / 中国医学科学院学报

Psoriasis usually combines with metabolic diseases,and the prevalence of cardiovascular disease remarkably increases in psoriatic patients. Adipokines,which play an important role in the cardiovascular diseases,also express abnormally in psoriasis and may induce or exacerbate the skin lesion. The adipokines associated with psoriasis and cardiovascular disease include adiponectin,leptin,resistin,omentin,visfatin,chemerin,and retinoid binding protein 4 (RBP-4). The levels of adiponectin and omentin apparently decrease in psoriatic patients compared to healthy controls,and thus they may play protective roles for psoriasis. Similarly,adiponectin plays a protective role in cardiovascular disease,but the role of retina in cardiovascular disease is still controversial. However,the concentrations of leptin,resistin,visfatin,chemerin,and RBP-4 in patients with psoriasis or cardiovascular disease are significantly higher than those of the controls;therefore,they may serve as the pathogenic factors for both diseases. Low adiponectin,leptin,visfatin,and chemerin levels may induce or aggravate psoriasis by activating plasmacytoid dendritic cells or T cells,as demonstrated in in vitro experiments. However,in vitro experiments also have shown that visfatin may inhibit cardiomyocyte apoptosis.

Clinical Value of Pulmonary Artery Parameters and Pulmonary Valve Annulus Z Scores for Choosing the Type of Operation in Complete Repaire of Pediatric Tetralogy of Fallot / 中国循环杂志

Objective: To investigate the clinical value of transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) measured pulmonary artery parameters and pulmonary valve annulus Z scores for choosing the type of operation in complete repair of pediatric tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) Methods: A total of 143 patients received complete repair of pediatric TOF in our hospital were retrospectively studied. The patient's median age was 8 (1-171) months. Based on the type of operation, patients were divided into 2 groups: Trans-annular patch group, n=100 and Valve sparing repair group, n=43. Conventional TTE parameters, right ventricular outflow parameters and pulmonary valve annulus Z scores were compared between 2 groups; pulmonary valve annulus diameters measured by TTE and surgery were studied by correlation analysis. Results: Compared with Valve sparing repair group, Trans-annular patch group had decreased left ventricular end diastolic diameter (23.14±3.82) mm vs (25.23±4.56) mm, pulmonary valve annulus diameter (8.52±2.18) mm vs (10.01±2.61) mm and main pulmonary artery diameter (67.31 vs 82.91) all P<0.05. With reduced value of pulmonary valve annulus Z scores, the constituent ratio in Trans-annular patch group was gradually increasing and in Valve sparing repair group was gradually decreasing, all P<0.05. Correlation analysis indicated that pulmonary valve diameters measured by TTE and surgery had moderate agreement (r=0.581, P<0.001). Conclusion: TTE measured pulmonary valve annulus diameter, main pulmonary artery diameter and pulmonary valve annulus Z scores were the objective parameters provided to surgeon at pre-operation, which had clear clinical value.

Orf virus ORF047 gene eukaryotic expression and cell localization / 中国人兽共患病学报

The object of study was to clone the gene of ORFV ORF047 and study the eukaryotic expression and cell localization,making the theoretical basis for the subsequest screening of protein that interact with ORF047.ORF047 gene was amplificated by the specifical primer from the DNA of ORFV using PCR,the length was 735 bp,compared with L1 published in NC-005336.1,the homologies of the nucleotide acid sequence and amino acid sequence were 98.8％ and 98.8％.In order to defined the expression and location of the ORF047 gene in cell,the recombinant plasmid pEGFP-ORF047 was constructed and transfected into 293T cell,after 36 h,the green fluorescence could be observed under fluorescence microscope,and 54 kD protein was detected by western bloting.The plasmid of pHcRed1-Nuc,pHcRed1-Mito and pHcRed1-ER with the recombinant plasmid of pEGFP-ORF047 was cotransfected to veroE6 cell respectively,that fusion protein of ORF047 was mainly located in the cytoplasm,a small amount in the mitochondriabyconfocal microscopy analysis.

Homocysteine: A Potential Common Route for Cardiovascular Risk and DNA Methylation in Psoriasis / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Homocysteine is a sulfur-containing amino acid with potential clinical significance. Abnormal homocysteine levels have been found in patients with psoriasis. This review summarizes the possible correlations among homocysteine, cardiovascular risk, and DNA methylation in psoriasis.</p><p><b>DATA SOURCES</b>We retrieved the articles published in English from the PubMed database up to January 2017, using the keywords including "psoriasis," "homocysteine," "cardiovascular risk," "DNA methylation," "methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase," "MTHFR," and "MTHFR C677T."</p><p><b>STUDY SELECTION</b>Articles about the roles of homocysteine in the cardiovascular risk and DNA methylation in psoriasis were obtained and reviewed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Observational studies consistently reported that elevated homocysteine is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Several studies also consistently reported an association between psoriasis and increased cardiovascular risk. A substantial body of evidence also suggested that an elevated homocysteine level is related to the demethylation of DNA. Data from clinical trials also demonstrated that MTHFR C677T polymorphisms as well as DNA methylation aberrations are associated with psoriasis.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>This review highlighted the relationships among homocysteine, cardiovascular risk, and DNA methylation, suggesting that homocysteine may be a biological link between cardiovascular risk and DNA methylation in psoriasis.</p>