Di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate Disorders Lipid Metabolism via TYK2/STAT1 and Autophagy in Rats.

OBJECTIVE: Previous studies have indicated that the plasticizer di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) affects lipid accumulation; however, its underlying mechanism remains unclear. We aim to clarify the effect of DEHP on lipid metabolism and the role of TYK2/STAT1 and autophagy. METHODS: In total, 160 Wistar rats were exposed to DEHP [0, 5, 50, 500 mg/(kg•d)] for 8 weeks. Lipid levels, as well as mRNA and protein levels of TYK2, STAT1, PPARγ, AOX, FAS, LPL, and LC3 were detected. RESULTS: The results indicate that DEHP exposure may lead to increased weight gain and altered serum lipids. We observed that DEHP exposure affected liver parenchyma and increased the volume or number of fat cells. In adipose tissue, decreased TYK2 and STAT1 promoted the expression of PPARγ and FAS. The mRNA and protein expression of LC3 in 50 and 500 mg/(kg•d) groups was increased significantly. In the liver, TYK2 and STAT1 increased compensatorily; however, the expression of FAS and AOX increased, while LPL expression decreased. Joint exposure to both a high-fat diet and DEHP led to complete disorder of lipid metabolism. CONCLUSION: It is suggested that DEHP induces lipid metabolism disorder by regulating TYK2/STAT1. Autophagy may play a potential role in this process as well. High-fat diet, in combination with DEHP exposure, may jointly have an effect on lipid metabolism disorder.

Expression of human papillomavirus and prognosis of juvenile laryngeal papilloma.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between clinical behavior and expression of human papillomavirus (HPV) in patients with juvenile laryngeal papillomatosis, in an attempt to develop an effective molecular biological method to predict prognosis. We included 37 patients with juvenile laryngeal papillomatosis in the study group and 10 cases each of juvenile vocal cord polyps and juvenile normal laryngeal mucosa as the control group. We detected HPV by immunocytochemistry and in situ hybridization, identified the virus type, and measured HPV-DNA content using a computer-assisted, color pathological image-analysis system. Additionally, we conducted a retrospective study with regard to the patients' clinical history to evaluate the prognosis. The data of the 2 groups were compared and statistically analyzed, including a correlation with prognosis. In the study group, 67.3% (25/37) were positive for HPV-Ag by immunocytochemistry; whereas 53.2%, 45.8%, and 25.4% were positive for HPV6b-DNA, HPV11-DNA, and HPV6b+11-DNA, respectively, by in situ hybridization. HPV was not detected in the control group. There was a significant difference between two groups (P < 0.05). Compared to HPV11-DNA-positive cases, those that were positive for HPV6b-DNA and HPV6b+11-DNA showed lower results on average, for age at first diagnosis and self-relief, number of surgeries, and interval between surgeries. Our findings suggest that immunocytochemistry and in situ hybridization are useful methods to evaluate the prognosis of juvenile laryngeal papilloma (JLP) and that HPV6b-positivity can be used as an index to predict the development and outcome of JLP.

[Effect of comprehensive prevention and control of soil-transmitted nematodiasis in Runzhou District of Zhenjiang City].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of comprehensive prevention and control of soil-transmitted nematodiasis in Runzhou District, Zhenjiang City, Jiangsu Province from 1997 to 2012. METHODS: The comprehensive prevention and control measures included the helminthicide, health education, improvement of water supplier and harmless toilets, and these measures were implemented continuously. At the same time, the infection rates of soil-transmitted nematodes, the local economic indicators, and the coverage rates of tap water and harmless toilets were surveyed. RESULTS: The mass chemotherapy was performed for 202 100 person-times and the diagnosed chemotherapy was performed for 2 006 person-times in Runzhou District from 1997 to 2012. The awareness rates of health knowledge were 57.18% in 1997, and 95.62% in 2012. The coverage rates of tap water and harmless toilets were 10.14% and 10.21% in 1997, and 100.0% and 90.38% in 2012, respectively. There were negative correlations between the awareness rate of per capita GDP, per capita net income, coverage rates of tap water, coverage rates of harmless toilets, health knowledge and the infection rate of soil-transmitted nematodes, respectively (r(per capitaGDP) = -0.526, P < 0.05; r(per capita net income) = -0.671, P < 0.01; r(coverage rates of tap water) = -0.936, P < 0.01; r(coverage rates of harmless toilets) = -0.922, P < 0.01; r(awareness) = -0.774, P < 0.01). The statistical analysis showed that the infection rate of soil-transmitted nematodes had a downward trend as an exponential curve in Runzhou District from 1997 to 2012 (y = 42.031 7e(-0.357 6x), R2 = 0.803 6, F = 57.28, P = 0.000). The infection rate of degradation by an annual rate was 29.18%. The infection rate in farmers was significantly higher than that in students (χ2 = 17.998, P < 0.01). There was no significant difference between men and women in the infection rate of soil-transmitted nematodes (χ2 = 3.627, P = 0.057). CONCLUSION: The comprehensive prevention and control measures and the development of social economy contribute to the steady decline of soil-transmitted nematode infections.

[Effect and cost-benefit of Oncomelania snail control by plowing and planting in Jiaobei Beach of Zhenjiang City].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect and cost-benefit of Oncomelania snail control by plowing and planting in Jiaobei Beach of Zhenjiang City. METHODS: In 2009, the measures of building low dike and plowing and planting were implemented in the experimental area of the east part of Jiaobei Beach, while in the control area of the west part of the beach, the molluscacide (niclosamide) was used to control snails. Then, the snail control effects and the cost-benefits of the two groups were compared. RESULTS: In the experimental area, the density of living snails decreased by 99.75% in the year when the measures were implemented, and no living snails were found from the second year. Though that the density of living snails in the control area decreased by 70% around, it aroused again in the second year. The net cost-benefit ratios of the experimental area and the control area were 2.18 and -0.92, respectively. CONCLUSION: Building low dike and plowing and planting in the beaches along the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River can effectively control snails, meanwhile, it is economic.

[Clinical characteristics of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome: analysis of 82 cases].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical characteristics of Chinese patients suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and provide clinical and laboratory evidence for the study of its etiology and treatment. METHODS: 82 patients with CFS diagnosed based on the CDC criteria 1994 were recruited. History was collected, and physical examination was made. SCL-90 and memory test were used, and Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale was used to those showing depression and/or anxiety. Laboratory examination, including examination of electrolytes, blood sugar, creatinine, bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, alanine trasaminase, etc, was conducted. Western blotting was used to detect the protein-24 of Borna disease virus (BDV) in the plasma of 61 patients and 73 healthy controls. High-pressure chromatography was conducted to detect n-6 fatty acids on the membrane of erythrocytes of 42 patients and 37 healthy controls. Plasma L-carnitine in 61 patients and 73 healthy controls was detected by zymological analysis. In different examinations sex and age-matched controls were used. RESULTS: Most of the patients were 21 approximately 50 years old (74/82, 90.24%). No gender difference was found. The patients usually had 4 approximately 6 symptoms besides distinctive fatigue. Descent of remembrance and/or attention was the most conspicuous accompanying symptoms (69/82, 84.15%). Abnormalities in SCL-90 scores were present in 57 patients (69.51%), e.g, somatization existed most commonly (32/82, 39.02%), and anxiety and depression were 20.73% (17/82) and 18.29% (15/82) respectively. The prevalence of anti-BDV-p24 antibody was 20.73% (17/82), significantly higher than that of the controls (0%, chi(2) = 6.673, P = 0.010). The arachidonic acid level was significantly lower in the CFS group than in the controls (P > 0.05) and there were no differences in linoleic acid and ETA (both P > 0.05). The level of L-carnitine was 6.4336 +/- 3.4225, significantly lower than that of the control group (7.6666 +/- 3.5819, t = 2.025, P = 0.045) and the L-carnitine level was increased 2 weeks after supplementary treatment, together with improvement of symptoms. CONCLUSION: Most of the CFS patients are young and middle-aged. Descent of reorganization is common in these patients. Psychological abnormalities exist in most patients. Some patients are infected with BDV, some with deficiency of nutrition and/or abnormality of energy metabolism.