The effect of androgen on wool follicles and keratin production in Hetian sheep / Efeito do androgênio na produção de folículos e queratina em ovinos Hetianos

Abstract To investigate the optimal androgen concentration for culturing Hetian sheep wool follicle and to detect effects of androgen concentration on wool follicle cell proliferation and apoptosis using immunofluorescence labeling and real-time quantitative fluorescence determinations of wool keratin-associated protein gene expression levels. Wool follicles were isolated by microdissection and wool follicles and skin pieces were cultured in various concentrations of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in culture medium. Next, daily lengthwise growth measurements of wool follicles were obtained using a microscopic micrometer. Cultured Hetian wool follicles were stained using the SACPIC method to reveal wool follicle structure, while sheep skin slices were used to observe cell proliferation by immunostaining and cell apoptosis using the TUNEL method. At the molecular biological level, keratin-associated protein (Kap) gene expression was studied using wool follicles cultured for various numbers of days in vitro. Effects of androgen concentrations on Hetian wool follicle growth and development were experimentally studied. EdU proliferation assays revealed that androgen promoted cell proliferation within wool follicle dermal papillae. TUNEL apoptosis detection demonstrated that androgen treatment could delay cell apoptosis. Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) results demonstrated that gene expression level patterns of Hetian mountain sheep super-high sulfur protein. Kap1.1, KIF1.2, Kap2.12 and Kap4.2 gene expression level of the mountainous experimental group was significantly higher than plains Hetian sheep. An androgen concentration of 100 nM can promote the growth of Hetian wool follicle cells in vitro, resulting in overexpression of some genes of the Kap family.

Resumo Investigar a concentração ideal de andrógenos em cultura de folículos pilosos de carneiro Hetiano e detectar os efeitos da concentração de andrógenos na proliferação e apoptose de células foliculares, por meio de imunofluorescência e de determinação quantitativa, em tempo real, da fluorescência dos níveis de expressão gênica de proteína associada à queratina. Folículos pilosos foram isolados por microdissecção, e folículos de lã e pedaços de pele foram cultivados em várias concentrações de di-hidrotestosterona (DHT) em meio de cultura. Em seguida, medições diárias de crescimento longitudinal dos folículos capilares foram obtidas usando um micrômetro microscópico. Folículos de lã cultivados de Hetianos foram corados pelo método SACPIC para revelar a estrutura do folículo piloso, enquanto fatias de pele de carneiro foram usadas para observar a proliferação celular por imunocoloração e apoptose celular por meio do método TUNEL. Em âmbito da biologia molecular, a expressão gênica da proteína associada à queratina (Kap) foi estudada usando folículos capilares cultivados por vários dias, in vitro. Os efeitos das concentrações de andrógenos no crescimento e desenvolvimento dos folículos de lã de Hetianos foram estudados experimentalmente. Ensaios de proliferação de EdU revelaram que o andrógeno promoveu a proliferação celular dentro das papilas dérmicas do folículo piloso. A detecção de apoptose por TUNEL demonstrou que o tratamento com andrógeno poderia atrasar a apoptose celular. Os resultados da reação em cadeia da polimerase transcrição reversa quantitativa (qPCR) demonstraram que os padrões de expressão gênica da proteína de enxofre Kap1.1, KIF1.2, Kap2.12 e Kap4.2 foram significativamente maiores no grupo de ovinos Hetianos de montanha. Uma concentração de androgênio de 100 nM pode promover o crescimento de células foliculares de lã de Hetianos in vitro, resultando na superexpressão de alguns genes da família Kap.

Screening de lesiones orales malignas y potencialmente malignas en funcionarios de Universidad de Valparaíso y Universidad Viña del Mar durante los años 2016 - 2017 / Screening of malignant and potentially malignant oral lesions in employee of the University of Valparaíso and the University of Viña del Mar during 2016 - 2017

El objetivo de este estudio es determinar la prevalencia de lesiones orales malignas y potencialmente malignas (LPM) en funcionarios de la Universidad de Valparaíso y de Viña del Mar durante los años 2016 - 2017. Fueron citados 161 funcionarios, quienes accedieron a una encuesta que evaluaba factores de riesgo de cáncer oral (tabaco y alcohol) y si habían escuchado de la patología, sumado a un examen clínico. De los pacientes examinados, se diagnosticaron 121 lesiones de las cuales 2 fueron diagnosticadas como lesiones potencialmente malignas: Liquen plano y Leucoplasia, con una prevalencia de 1,7 %. El 50,3 % de los pacientes sabía de la existencia de cáncer oral. El Screening es una medida que permite dar a conocer a la población la existencia de cáncer oral y alertarlos sobre la importancia de su examen para su identificación de manera temprana.

The objective of this study is to determine the prevalence of malignant and potentially malignant oral lesions (PML) in University of Valparaíso and Viña del Mar employees, during the years 2016 - 2017. We cited 161 employees, who accessed a survey evaluating risk factors for oral cancer (tobacco and alcohol) and if they had heard of the disease. In addition, a clinical examination was carried out. Of the patients examined, 121 lesions were diagnosed, of which 2 were diagnosed as potentially malignant lesions: Lichen planus and Leukoplakia, with a prevalence of 1.6 %. 50.3 % of patients knew of the existence of oral cancer. Epidemiological designs are needed to better establish causality between risk factors and malignant or, potentially malignant lesions.

Different characteristics between mycobacteriophage Chy1 and D29, which were classified as cluster A2 mycobacteriophages.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to isolate a novel mycobacteriophage and then explore its anti‑tuberculosis (TB) potential. Materials and Methods: Phage was isolated from enriched soil sample. A total of 36 mycobacterial strains obtained from clinical specimens were subjected to investigate the host range of phage by the spot lysis assay. Biological characteristics were investigated through growth curve, host range and phage antimicrobial activity in vitro. Then, genome sequencing and further analysis were accomplished by using an ABI3730XL DNA sequencer and comparative genome, respectively. Results: A lytic mycobacteriophage (Chy1) was isolated and the plaque morphology was similar to D29. The genome of Chy1 was estimated to be about 47,198 base pair (bp) and strong similarity (97.4% identity) to D29, especially, the Chy1 gene 7 encoding holin which is considered as a clock controlling growth cycle of the corresponding phage, was identical (100% identity) to phage D29 gene 11, thus classifying Chy1 as a member of the cluster A2 family. However, to our surprise, Chy1 can infect a narrower range of host‑mycobacterial strains than that of D29. The latent period of Chy1 was quite longer compared to D29. Moreover, Chy1 has a weaker ability to lyse Mycobacterium smegmatis compared to D29. Conclusions: The sequence of Chy1 showed 97.4% homology with the genome sequence of D29, but there was a large difference in their biological characteristics. Overall, the results of this investigation indicate that Chy1 is not an ideal candidate for developing mycobacteriophage‑based anti‑TB therapies but for future researches to investigate the reason why biological characteristics of Chy1 and D29 were remarkably different.

Transradial arterial chemoembolization reduces complications and costs in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

PURPOSE: To improve patient comfort and reduce complications, clinical benefit of a transradial approach for transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) was evaluated in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: A total of 284 patients with HCC for TACE was divided into transradial approach group (n = 126) and transfemoral approach group (n = 158). These two groups of cases were retrospectively compared with regard to complications, the procedural time, X‑ray exposure time, length of hospitalization, and hospital costs. RESULTS: There were lower incidence rates of complications including abdominal distension (42.85% vs. 87.97%, P < 0.001), vomiting (53.17% vs. 77.22%, P < 0.001), lumbago (1.59% vs. 97.46%, P < 0.001), and dysuria (0% vs. 62.03%, P < 0.001) in the transradial group as compared with the transfemoral group. The time required for catheterization and total X‑ray exposure time were less in the transradial group compared with the transfemoral group (Pall < 0.001). The hospital stay time and costs required for catheterization were less in the transradial group compared with the transfemoral group (P < 0.001 and P = 0.001, respectively). In addition, hepatic angiography and TACE were completed in 100% and 99.2% cases in transfemoral and transradial groups, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Transradial approach for TACE improves quality of life in patients with HCC by offering fewer complications and lower costs compared with transfemoral approach.

Treatment‑associated severe thrombocytopenia affects survival rate in esophageal cancer patients undergoing concurrent chemoradiotherapy.

BACKGROUND: Esophageal cancer is commonly treated with surgery, concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT), or a combination of both. The correlation between the hematological parameters during CCRT and early survival of esophageal cancer has not been fully evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed the records of 65 esophageal cancer patients treated by CCRT between 2007 and 2010 retrospectively. The association between CCRT‑associated myelosuppression, demographic variables, and survival rates were analyzed by univariate and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: The univariate analysis showed that tumor extent of T3-4, a higher stage of tumor, a lower albumin level, grade 3 or higher anemia and thrombocytopenia, and interruptions in treatment affected survival rates. Further, the multivariate analysis revealed that stage IV (P = 0.030) is an independently negative prognostic factor for a one‑year survival rate. Stage IV (P = 0.035), tumor extent of T3-4 (P = 0.002), and grade 3-4 thrombocytopenia (P = 0.015) are independently negative prognostic factors for a two‑year survival rate. CONCLUSIONS: Severe decrease in platelet count during CCRT independently affects survival of esophageal cancer patients in addition to stage of the tumor.

High altitude disease on the Tibetan Plateau / Enfermedad de altura en la planicie del Tibet

En China, las altiplanicies de Qinghai en el Tibet son las más altas del mundo, y en ellas residen los tibetianos nativos y los inmigrantes chinos (Han). Este artículo se ocupa de las enfermedades producidas por la altura. Existen tres problemas serios producidos por la altura. Primero, el edema pulmonar de altura (HAPE); se observa una alta incidencia de HAPE en los recién llegados a la altura, y por el contrario una menor incidencia en los nativos de altura que reascienden a ella, lo que difiere con los reportes en Norte América y en los Andes. Segundo, la enfermedad cardiaca de altura (HAHD). Los niños y los infantes son los que se encuentran especialmente en riesgo. La mayoría de infantes afectados por esta enfermedad son de origen Han, y presentan insuficiencia cardiaca congestiva severa debido a hipertension pulmonar dentro de los pocos meses de nacido o de arribo a la altura. Las autopsias muestran una hipertrofia ventricular derecha y un engrosamiento de la muscular de las arterias pulmonares periféricas. La mortalidad en promedio fue de 15 por ciento, tal que la HAHD infantil es una emfermedad fatal. Tercero, la enfermedad de Monge o mal de Montaña Crónico (CMS). En los indígenas tibetianos se han observado 15 casos de CMS entre 1991-1993. Los datos epidemiológicos y clínicos muestran que la CMS existe en la altiplanicie de Qinghai-Tibet.