[Effects of decline of pH value on cardiomyocyte viability of rats and the mechanism]

Objective: To explore the effects of decline of pH value on cardiomyocyte viability of rats, and to analyze the possible mechanism. Methods: Hearts of five newborn Sprague-Dawley rats were isolated, and then primary cardiomyocytes were cultured and used in the following experiments. (1) The primary cardiomyocytes were divided into pH 7.4+ 6 h, pH 7.0+ 6 h, pH 6.5+ 6 h, pH 6.0+ 6 h, pH 6.5+ 1 h, and pH 6.5+ 3 h groups according to the random number table, with 4 wells in each group. After being routinely cultured for 48 h (similarly hereinafter), cells in pH 7.4+ 6 h, pH 7.0+ 6 h, pH 6.5+ 6 h, and pH 6.0+ 6 h groups were cultured with pH 7.4, pH 7.0, pH 6.5, and pH 6.0 DMEM-F12 medium (similarly hereinafter), respectively, and then they were cultured for 6 h. Cells in pH 6.5+ 1 h and pH 6.5+ 3 h groups were cultured with pH 6.5 medium, and then they were cultured for 1 h and 3 h, respectively. Viability of cells was detected by methyl-thiazolyl-tetrazolium (MTT) method. (2) The primary cardiomyocytes were divided into pH 7.4, pH 6.5, and pH 6.5+ taxol groups according to the random number table, with 2 wells in each group. Cells in pH 7.4 group were cultured with pH 7.4 medium, while cells in pH 6.5 and pH 6.5+ taxol groups were cultured with pH 6.5 medium. Cells in pH 6.5+ taxol group were added with taxol of a final molarity of 0.2 μmol/L in addition, and then they were cultured for 6 h. Morphology and density of microtubule of cells was detected by immunofluorescence assay. (3) The primary cardiomyocytes were grouped and treated as in experiment (2), with 2 wells in each group. The expressions of polymerized microtubulin and free microtubulin were determined with Western blotting. (4) The primary cardiomyocytes were grouped and treated as in experiment (2), with 4 wells in each group. Viability of cells after treated with taxol was detected by MTT method. Data were processed with one-way analysis of variance and LSD-t test. Results: (1) The viability of cells in pH 7.4+ 6 h, pH 7.0+ 6 h, pH 6.5+ 6 h, pH 6.0+ 6 h, pH 6.5+ 1 h, and pH 6.5+ 3 h groups were 1.00±0.08, 0.90±0.08, 0.85±0.06, 0.83±0.04, 0.91±0.10, and 0.89±0.10, respectively. Compared with that in pH 7.4+ 6 h group, viability of cells in pH 7.0+ 6 h, pH 6.5+ 6 h, pH 6.0+ 6 h, pH 6.5+ 1 h, and pH 6.5+ 3 h groups were all decreased in different degrees (t=2.476, 4.002, 4.996, 2.168, 2.400, P<0.05). (2) Microtubules of cells in pH 7.4 group were radially distributed around the nucleus with clear tubular structure. Compared with that in pH 7.4 group, the skeleton of microtubules of cells in pH 6.5 group was obviously damaged, with broken structure of microtubule and reduced density. Compared with that in pH 6.5 group, the damage degree of microtubules of cells in pH 6.5+ taxol group was obviously alleviated, and the structure of microtubules basically returned to normal. (3) Compared with that in pH 7.4 group, the expression of free microtubulin of cells in pH 6.5 group was significantly increased (t=3.030, P<0.05), while the expression of polymerized microtubulin of cells was significantly decreased (t=8.604, P<0.05). Compared with that in pH 6.5 group, the expression of free microtubulin of cells in pH 6.5+ taxol group was significantly decreased (t=4.559, P<0.05), while the expression of polymerized microtubulin of cells was significantly increased (t=5.472, P<0.05). (4) Viability of cells in pH 7.4, pH 6.5, and pH 6.5+ taxol groups were 1.00±0.10, 0.83±0.04, and 0.93±0.10, respectively. Compared with that in pH 7.4 group, the viability of cells in pH 6.5 group was obviously declined (t=4.412, P<0.05). Compared with that in pH 6.5 group, the viability of cells in pH 6.5+ taxol group was obviously increased (t=2.461, P<0.05). Conclusions: The decline of pH value reduces the viability of cardiomyocytes of rats through destroying the skeleton of microtubule. Stabilizing microtubule skeleton can significantly reduce acidic treatment-induced damage and ameliorate cardiomyocyte viability.

[Effects of double-dose antihistamine or combined therapy in allergic rhinitis]

Objective:To compare the efficacy and side effects of combined therapy with single-dose oral antihistamine and intranasal corticosteroid to monotherapy with double-dose oral antihistamine in the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis. Method:Eighty-two patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis caused by cypress pollen were enrolled in a randomized, parallel-group studycomparing 2 weeks therapy of either 10mg oral ebastine plus 200 μg intranasal mometasone furoate once daily (combined group) or 20 mg oral ebastine once daily (double-dose group) during the pollen season. Daily rhinoconjunctivitis symptom score and rescue medication use were recorded in both groups. After the treatment period, questionnaires were used to survey the side effects of medicines and dosage form preference of the patients. The levels of IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α in the peripheral blood were measured before and after the therapy. Result:During the cypress pollen season, the daily rhinoconjunctivitis symptom score of the combined group (n=42, 3.7±0.4) was significantly lower than that of double-dose group (n=40, 4.5±0.5), P<0.001. The daily rescue medication score of the combined group (1.3±0.6) was also significantly lower than double-dose group(1.7±0.7), P<0.001. The daily medication cost of combined group was 7.08±0.33 Yuan, which was less than that of double-dose group (7.28±0.51 Yuan, P=0.002). There was no statistical difference in the rate of adverse reactions between the two groups. The peripheral levels of IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α in two groups did not show significant difference at the end of therapy . Conclusion:The combined therapy with single-dose oral antihistamine and intranasal corticosteroid was superior to the monotherapy with double-dose oral antihistamine in the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis in our study.

Analysis of sensitive skin barrier function: basic indicators and sebum composition

OBJECTIVES

Sensitive skin (SS) is a condition characterised by high reactivity, low tolerance, and susceptibility to allergies of the skin. Owing to changes in the environment and marketing strategies, as well as the increasing public awareness about skin care, attention to skin condition is gradually increasing. The aim of this study is to explore the differences in the skin barrier of SS and normal skin (NS).

METHODS

A questionnaire survey was conducted and basic indicators of the skin barrier were analysed. It was found that sebum secretion in the SS group was lower than that in the NS group, suggesting that the development of SS might be associated with sebum secretion and its specific components. Next, an ultra performance liquid chromatography-quadruple time-of-flight mass spectrometer was used to identify facial sebum components in female volunteers.

RESULTS

The results showed that the sebum of female volunteers with SS had high levels of ceramides, glycerophosphoethanolamines, and diacylglycerols, and low levels of glucosylceramides, glycerophosphoserines, glycerophosphocholines, and triacylglycerols.

CONCLUSION

Analysis of lipid functions suggested that the main reason for SS development in women might be a barrier dysfunction caused by excessive apoptosis and lack of water. Therefore, anti-allergy additives in cosmetic products that could inhibit apoptosis of keratinocytes and methods to maintain the stability of water molecules in the skin should be further studied.

Surgical Management of Renal Cell Carcinoma Extending Into Venous System: A 20-Year Experience

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The purpose of this study is to report our 20-year experience with the surgical management of renal cell carcinoma extending into the inferior vena cava using a novel classification system.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the data of 103 patients (69 males, 34 females, mean age: 52.9 ± 12.6 years) with renal cell carcinoma involving the venous system treated between 1993 and 2014. The inferior vena cava tumor thrombus was classified into five levels: 0 (renal vein, n = 12), 1 (infrahepatic, n = 33), 2a (low retrohepatic, n = 26), 2b (high retrohepatic, n = 19), and 3 (supradiaphragmatic, n = 13). Clinical data were summarized, and overall survival, cancer-specific survival, and disease-free survival were examined by Cox regression analysis.

RESULTS

All patients underwent radical surgery. Complete resections of the renal tumor and thrombus were achieved in 101 patients (98.1%). Two intraoperative and one postoperative in-hospital deaths (2.9%) occurred. In total, 19 patients (18.8%) had a total of 29 postoperative complications. Mean follow-up time was 46 months (range, 1-239 months). The 5- and 10-year overall survival rates were 62.9% and 56.0%, respectively. Metastasis, rather than thrombus level, was a significant risk factor associated with overall survival (hazard ratio = 4.89, 95% confidence interval: 2.24-10.67, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Our novel classification system can be used to select the optimal surgical approach and method for patients with renal cell carcinoma and venous thrombus. Its use is associated with prolonged survival and relatively few complications. Metastasis is an independent risk factor of overall survival.

Dysregulation of Circulating Tfr/Tfh Ratio in Primary biliary cholangitis

Follicular helper T (Tfh) cells and follicular regulatory T (Tfr) cells are critical for the development and maintenance of germinal centre (GC) and humoral immune responses. Accumulating evidence has demonstrated that the dysregulation of either Tfh cells or Tfr cells contributes to the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. We aim to investigate the roles of circulating Tfh cells and circulating Tfr cells in the pathogenesis of primary biliary cholangitis (PBC). A total of 34 patients with PBC and 27 health individuals were enrolled in this study. Flow cytometry revealed that circulating Tfh (CD4⁺ CXCR5⁺ CD127^hi CD25^lo ) cells were increased, but Tfr (CD4⁺ CXCR5⁺ CD127^lo CD25^hi ) cells and ratio of Tfr/Tfh were dramatically decreased in PBC patients compared with healthy controls. The Tfr/Tfh ratio was negatively correlated with level of serum IgM. Meanwhile, we also observed effector memory (CCR7^lo PD-1^hi ) Tfh cells and Tfr cells were dramatically increased, but central memory (CCR7^hi PD-1^lo ) Tfh cells and Tfr cells were decreased in PBC patients compared with healthy controls. Effector memory Tfr cells were positively correlated with level of serum ALP. These results indicate that an imbalance of circulating Tfr cells and Tfh cells may be involved in the immunopathogenesis of PBC and may provide novel insight for the development of PBC therapies.

Genetic mapping using 1.4M SNP array refined loci for fatty acid composition traits in Chinese Erhualian and Bamaxiang pigs

Chinese indigenous pigs display marked genetic and phenotypic differences compared with western commercial pigs. In this study, we tested the association between 660K SNPs and longissimus muscle fatty acid composition traits in Chinese Erhualian (n = 331) and Bamaxiang (n = 315) pigs based on a customized 1.4 million SNP array. We identified a total of 64 significant associations for 20 fatty acid composition traits at the p-value threshold of 1 × 10^-6 among which 42 associations in low linkage disequilibrium (r²  < .2) with previously reported loci were considered novel. We substantially improved the strength and precision of the associations at four previously detected loci near FADS2, ELOVL7, ELOVL6 and FASN genes, facilitating follow-up candidate gene studies. Moreover, we also identified loci near ABCD2, ACSBG1, ELOVL5, HPGDS, DAGT2, ACAD10 and ACSL1 genes with function relevant to metabolism of fatty acids. In this study, valuable genetic variants and candidate genes associated with fatty acid composition traits were identified in Erhualian and Bamaxiang pigs. Some identified loci could be used to improve pork nutrition in pig breeding practice. Using the SNP array with higher marker density and less ascertainment bias improved QTL detection power and precision in Chinese indigenous pigs.

Correlation between diffusion tensor imaging parameters and clinical assessments in patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy with and without high signal intensity

STUDY DESIGN

A cross-sectional observational study.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study is to compare the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and fractional anisotropy (FA) between patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) with and without high T2-weighted signal intensity, and to correlate each parameter with clinical assessments.

SETTING

CSM is a common cause of spinal cord dysfunction. The significance of T2 high signal intensity in the prognosis of CSM remains controversial.

METHODS

Diffusion tensor imaging was performed at the cervical spinal cord in 40 patients with CSM and 42 healthy subjects. Patients with high signal intensity were separated from those without high signal intensity. ADC and FA values were compared among different groups, and the correlation between each parameter and the modified Japanese Orthopedic Association (mJOA) score was examined.

RESULTS

The ADC and FA values of C2/3 differed significantly from those of C5/6 and C6/7 in healthy subjects. Patients with CSM had a higher ADC but a lower FA value than did healthy subjects. In all patients with CSM, there was a negative linear correlation between ADC and mJOA score, but FA value correlated positively with mJOA score. Secondary analysis suggested that FA value in patients with high signal intensity was lower than that in patients without high signal intensity. FA value showed a positive linear correlation with mJOA score in the patients with high signal intensity but not in the patients without high signal intensity.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with high signal intensity may have more severe spinal cord injury than patients without high signal intensity, and FA may be a useful indicator of functional status in patients with CSM with high signal intensity.

Stepwise preconditioning enhances mesenchymal stem cell-based cartilage regeneration through epigenetic modification

OBJECTIVE

This study is to investigate the functions and underlying mechanisms of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) underwent stepwise preconditioning in chondrogenic medium before expansion, then further explore their therapeutic effects in a surgically induced osteoarthritis (OA) model.

METHODS

MSCs isolated from the adult rats expressing Green Fluorescence Protein (GFP) were incubated in basal medium or primed in chondrogenic medium before expansion. The multipotency including cell proliferation, differentiation, and survivability was compared between chondrogenic manipulated MSCs (M-MSCs) and untreated MSCs. Methylation modification of Nanog and Oct4 were detected by bisulfite genomic sequencing. Loss-of-function phenotype in M-MSCs induced by shNanog was also observed. Then the therapeutic effect of the cells was evaluated in a surgically induced OA rat model by single intraarticular injection. The injected GFP-labeled cells in the joints were monitored in vivo. These rats were sacrificed and subjected to histological examinations and microstructural analysis after 4 weeks.

RESULTS

We found that cell clonogenicity, proliferation, survivability, and chondrogenic property were enhanced after stepwise preconditioning. We then further found that the expression level of Nanog and Oct4 was temporarily increased in the M-MSCs. Results of epigenetic analysis revealed that demethylation happened in Nanog and Oct4 after the stepwise preconditioning. Results of in vivo imaging showed more GFP-labeled cells in the M-MSCs-injected group. And results of histology and micro-CT analysis also indicated a superior therapeutic effect of M-MSCs on the surgically induced-OA.

CONCLUSION

These findings indicated a feasible method to obtain a cell population with high survivability and chondrogenic commitment for the treatment of OA.

Vertebral fracture in postmenopausal Chinese women: a population-based study

In a random sample of postmenopausal Chinese women, the prevalence of radiographic vertebral fractures increased from 13% between ages 50 and 59 to over 50% after age 80 years. A model with seven clinical risk factors predicted the probability of vertebral fractures as well with as without BMD and better than a model with only three risk factors. More than half an hour of outdoor activity per day might correlate with lower risk of vertebral fracture in this population.

INTRODUCTION

We aimed to describe the prevalence and develop a model for prediction of radiographic vertebral fractures in a large random sample of postmenopausal Chinese women.

METHODS

We enrolled 1760 women from an age-stratified random sample of postmenopausal women in Beijing, China. The presence of vertebral fracture was assessed by semi-quantitative grading of lateral thoracolumbar radiographs, risk factors by interview, bone mineral density (BMD) of the proximal femur and lumbar spine by dual x-ray absorptiometry (DXA), and markers of bone turnover from a fasting blood sample. Associations of these factors were analyzed in logistic models and discrimination by areas of receiver operating characteristics curves (AUC).

RESULTS

The prevalence of vertebral fracture, ranged from 13.4% ages 50 to 59 years old to 58.1% at age 80 years or older. Older age, a history of non-vertebral fracture, lower femoral neck BMD T-score, body mass index (BMI), height loss, housework, and less than half an hour of outdoor activity were significantly associated with increased probability of having a vertebral fracture. A model with those seven factors had a similar AUC with or without BMD and performed better than a simple model with three factors.

CONCLUSION

This study is from a true random sample of postmenopausal women in urban China with high response rate. The prevalence of vertebral fractures in postmenopausal women in Beijing increases from 13% under age 60 to over 50% by age 80 years. A model with seven clinical risk factors with or without BMD is better than simple models and may guide the use of spine x-rays to identify women with vertebral fractures. More than half an hour of outdoor activity might correlate with lower risk of vertebral fracture in this population.

Dysregulation of objectively assessed 24-hour motor activity patterns as a potential marker for bipolar I disorder: results of a community-based family study

There has been a growing number of studies that have employed actigraphy to investigate differences in motor activity in mood disorders. In general, these studies have shown that people with bipolar disorders (BPDs) tend to exhibit greater variability and less daytime motor activity than controls. The goal of this study was to examine whether patterns of motor activity differ in euthymic individuals across the full range of mood disorder subtypes (Bipolar I (BPI), Bipolar II (BPII) and major depression (MDD)) compared with unaffected controls in a community-based family study of mood spectrum disorders. Minute-to-minute activity counts derived from actigraphy were collected over a 2-week period for each participant. Prospective assessments of the level, timing and day-to-day variability of physical activity measures were compared across diagnostic groups after controlling for a comprehensive list of potential confounding factors. After adjusting for the effects of age, sex, body mass index (BMI) and medication use, the BPI group had lower median activity intensity levels across the second half of the day and greater variability in the afternoon compared with controls. Those with a history of BPII had increased variability during the night time compared with controls, indicating poorer sleep quality. No differences were found in the average intensity, variability or timing of activity in comparisons between other mood disorder subgroups and controls. Findings confirm evidence from previous studies that BPI may be a manifestation of a rhythm disturbance that is most prominent during the second half of the day. The present study is the largest study to date that included the full range of mood disorder subgroups in a nonclinical sample that increases the generalizability of our findings to the general community. The manifestations of activity patterns outside of acute episodes add to the accumulating evidence that dysregulation of patterns of activity may constitute a potential biomarker for BPD.

Plasma pharmacokinetics of quinocetone in ducks after oral and intravenous administration

Quinocetone (QCT), an antimicrobial growth promoter, is widely used in food-producing animals. However, information about pharmacokinetics (PK) of QCT in ducks still remains unavailable up to now. In this study, QCT and its major metabolites (1-desoxyquinocetone, di-desoxyquinocetone and 3-methyl-quinoxaline-2-carboxylic) in ducks were studied using a simple and sensitive UHPLC-MS/MS assay. Twenty ducks were divided into two groups. (n = 10/group). One group received QCT by oral administration at dose of 40 mg/kg while another group received QCT intravenously at 10 mg/kg. Plasma samples were collected at various time points from 0 to 96 hr. QCT and its major metabolites in duck plasma samples were extracted by 1 ml acetonitrile and detected by UHPLC-MS/MS, with the gradient mobile phase that consisted of 0.1% formic acid in water (A) and acetonitrile (B). A noncompartment analysis was used to calculate the PK parameters. The results showed that following oral dosing, the peak plasma concentration (C_max ) of QCT was 32.14 ng/ml and the area under the curve (AUCINF_obs) was 233.63 (h ng)/ ml. Following intravenous dosing, the C_max , AUCINF_obs and Vss_obs were 96.70 ng/ml, 152.34 (h ng)/ ml and 807.00 L/kg, respectively. These data indicated that the QCT was less absorbed in vivo following oral administration, with low bioavailability (38.43%). QCT and its major metabolites such as 1-desoxyquinocetone and 3-methyl-quinoxaline-2-carboxylic were detected at individual time points in individual ducks, while the di-desoxyquinocetone was not detected in all time points in all ducks. This study enriches basic scientific data about pharmacokinetics of QCT in ducks after oral and intravenous administration and will be beneficial for clinical application in ducks.

Population-production-pollution nexus based air pollution management model for alleviating the atmospheric crisis in Beijing, China

In recent years, increscent emissions in the city of Beijing due to expanded population, accelerated industrialization and inter-regional pollutant transportation have led to hazardous atmospheric pollution issues. Although a number of anthropogenic control measures have been put into use, frequent/severe haze events have still challenged regional governments. In this study, a hybrid population-production-pollution nexus model (PPP) is proposed for air pollution management and air quality planning (AMP) with the aim to coordinate human activities and environmental protection. A fuzzy-stochastic mixed quadratic programming method (FSQ) is developed and introduced into a PPP for tackling atmospheric pollution issues with uncertainties. Based on the contribution of an index of population-production-pollution, a hybrid PPP-based AMP model that considers employment structure, industrial layout pattern, production mode, pollutant purification efficiency and a pollution mitigation scheme have been applied in Beijing. Results of the adjustment of employment structure, pollution mitigation scheme, and green gross domestic product under various environmental regulation scenarios are obtained and analyzed. This study can facilitate the identification of optimized policies for alleviating population-production-emission conflict in the study region, as well as ameliorating the hazardous air pollution crisis at an urban level.

Overexpression of β-arrestin2 induces G1-phase cell cycle arrest and suppresses tumorigenicity in renal cell carcinoma

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to investigate the role of β-arrestin2 in the proliferation, migration, apoptosis, cell cycle and clone formation of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) cell lines and to explore the possible mechanism of β-arrestin2 in RCC invasion and metastasis to find a new therapeutic target.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Cell proliferation, migration, apoptosis, cell cycle and clone formation were analyzed after RCC cell lines (786-0 and CaKi) and transfected with β-arrestin2 overexpression plasmid. Using small interfering RNA (siRNA) interference technology abrogates β-arrestin2 overexpression, and changes in cell proliferation, migration, apoptosis, cell cycle and clone formation were analyzed. The expression levels of total IkBa, IkBa phosphorylation (P-IkBa) and NFkB P65 in 786-0 cells were examined after transfection with β-arrestin2 overexpression plasmid to explore the mechanism of β-arrestin2.

RESULTS

After transfection with β-arrestin2 overexpression plasmid, the abilities of proliferation, migration, and cloning formation in 786-0 and CaKi cells decreased significantly, the apoptosis rate increased significantly, and the cell cycles were blocked in the G1 phase. After siRNA reduced the expression of β-arrestin2, the abilities to proceed through cell proliferation, migration, apoptosis, the cell cycle and clone formation were enhanced. The P-IkBa level in 786-0 cells decreased significantly after transfection, while the expression of P-IkBa in the control group remained high. The expression of NFkB P65 was high in the control group and low in the transfection group.

CONCLUSIONS

The overexpression of β-arrestin2 can inhibit the growth of RCC cells in vitro, and β-arrestin2 acts as a tumor suppressor gene in RCC. The main mechanism may directly suppress the phosphorylation of IkBa and indirectly suppress NFkB activation. Thus, β-arrestin2 is expected to be an important marker of RCC prognosis and a new therapeutic target.

[The value of different antibodies detection in diagnosis of rheumatism with uveitis]

Objective: To investigate the value of HLA-B27 antigen, antinuclear antibody (ANA), anti-dsDNA and Anti-Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibodies (ANCA) detection in diagnosis of rheumatism with uveitis. Methods: Seven hundred and twenty four newly diagnosed patients with non-infection uveitis in Beijing Tongren Hospital from March 2012 to March 2016 who long-term lived in Beijing and its surrounding areas were continuously enrolled. HLA-B27 antigen expressions in peripheral blood lymphocytes and ANA, anti-dsDNA and ANCA levels in serum were tested. The detailed clinical data, imaging examinations and pathological examinations were recorded to define whether the patients had rheumatism and the types of rheumatism. Results: There were 285 patients were diagnosed with rheumatism in 724 patients (39.4%), with 135 male (47.4%) and 150 female (52.6%). The mean age of male (41±14) was lower than that of female (44±14), with statistically significant (t=2.18, P<0.05). There were 176 patients with Spondyloarthropathies, 48 patients with primary systemic vasculitis, 22 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, 18 patients with primary Sjogren's syndrome, 16 patients with rheumatoid arthritis and 5 patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis in 285 rheumatism patients. The positive rate of HLA-B27(57.2%), ANA(15.8%), anti-dsDNA (5.3%) and ANCA(9.1%) in rheumatic uveitis patients were obviously higher than those of non-rheumatic uveitis patients [HLA-B27(1.1%), ANA(1.6%), anti-dsDNA (0.0%) and ANCA(0.9%)], with statistically significant (Fisher's exact test, P<0.01). The HLA-B27 positive antigen were mainly in patients with Spondyloarthropathies, rate was 92.1%; the positive ANA were mainly in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, rate was 95.5%; the positive anti-dsDNA were mainly in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, rate was 59.1%; the positive ANCA were mainly in patients with primary systemic vasculitis (besides Behcet disease), rate was 57.1%. Conclusions: The detections of HLA-B27 antigen, ANA, anti-dsDNA and ANCA are valuable for primary screening of some rheumatic uveitis. There fore, clinicians should select targeted laboratory examination combine with the patients' clinical manifestations. This will be helpful in the auxiliary diagnosis of some types of rheumatic uveitis.

Two novel polymorphisms in PLCE1 are associated with the susceptibility to esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in Chinese population

Esophageal cancer is the sixth leading cause of cancer-associated death worldwide. Phospholipase C epsilon 1 (PLCE1) gene was found to be associated with the risk of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) by three large-scale genome-wide association studies (GWAS) in Chinese populations. To evaluate the association between the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in PLCE1 gene and ESCC risk, a case-control study including 550 patients with ESCC and 550 age, gender-matched controls was carried out to investigate the genetic susceptibility of three SNPs (rs3765524 C/T and two unreported potentially functional SNPs rs10882379 G/A and rs829232 G/A) as well as the interactions of gene-gene and gene-environment in the development of ESCC. And the results showed that GA genotype of rs10882379 was significantly associated with reduced ESCC risk compared with GG genotype (adjusted OR [95% CI]: 0.66 [0.51, 0.86]), while AA genotype of rs829232 was significantly associated with increased ESCC risk compared with GG genotype (adjusted OR [95% CI]: 1.37 [1.12, 1.67]). The haplotype analysis showed increased ESCC risk in Grs10882379Crs3765524Ars829232 and Grs10882379Trs3765524Ars829232 haplotypes with OR (95% CI) of 1.40 (1.13, 1.73) and 1.66 (1.18, 2.34), respectively and inversely reduced ESCC risk in Ars10882379Crs3765524Grs829232 haplotype with OR (95% CI) of 0.74 (0.61, 0.91). The gene-environment interaction analysis emerged a best model consisted of four factors (rs10882379, rs3765524, rs829232 and family history of ESCC) that could increase the ESCC risk in the 'high risk group' with 4.45-fold (OR [95% CI]: 5.45 [4.13, 7.19]), compared to the 'low risk group.' Our results further validate that the SNPs in PLCE1 gene may contribute to the ESCC susceptibility in Chinese Han population. Also the gene-gene and gene-environment interactions play a certain crucial role in the ESCC progression.

[Dihydrotestosterone inhibits foam cell formation via a lectin-like ox-low-density lipoprotein receptor mediated mechanism in J774.1 cell line]

Objective: To investigate the effect of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) on lectin-like ox- low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor(LOX-1)expression and foam cell formation in the female macrophage cell line J774.1. Methods: In cultured J774.1 cells, after pretreated with DHT at concentrations of 1×10^-9 mol/L and 1×10^-8 mol/L, ox-LDL-induced LOX-1 expression and foam cell formation were investigated by quantitative real-time PCR, Western blotting, and oil-red O staining. Results: DHT at concentrations of 1×10^-9 mol/L and 1×10^-8 mol/L inhibited ox-LDL-induced LOX-1 mRNA (2.81±0.46 and 2.29±0.21 vs 4.71±0.31, both P<0.01) and protein expression (1.35±0.06 and 1.09±0.04 vs 1.75±0.11, both P<0.05). The effect was partly reversed by the androgen receptor (AR) blocker flutamide (87.6%, P=0.004). Oil-red O staining also revealed that DHT at concentrations of 1×10^-9 mol/L and 1×10^-8 mol/L suppressed ox-LDL-induced foam cell formation as quantified by the number of foam cells per high-power field (HPF) (36.0±3.0 and 29.1±1.3 vs 45.9±3.7, both P<0.05) and by the area of oil-red O stained particles per HPF (7 983±1 035 and 4 060±390 vs 14 750±2 489, both P<0.05). Conclusion: DHT at concentrations of 1×10^-9 mol/L and 1×10^-8 mol/L decreases LOX-1 expression and foam cell formation via AR.

Inactivation of Cronobacter sakazakii in reconstituted infant formula by combination of thymoquinone and mild heat

AIMS

The objective of this study was to determine the combined effect of thymoquinone (TQ) and mild heat on Cronobacter sakazakii in reconstituted infant formula.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Reconstituted infant formula samples inoculated with a mixture of four C. sakazakii strains (approx. 6·5 log CFU ml(-1) ) were prepared with various concentrations of TQ (0, 5, 10, 20 and 30 mmol l(-1) ) and were heated to 45, 50 and 55°C for 0, 10, 20, 30, 60 and 120 min, and the surviving populations of C. sakazakii at each sampling time were enumerated. To elucidate the mode of action of TQ, membrane integrity and changes in cell morphology were examined by LIVE/DEAD(®) BacLight(™) bacterial viability kit and field emission scanning electron microscope respectively. TQ at 30 mmol l(-1) reduced the pathogen to undetectable level in between 60 and 120 min at 45°C, 60 min at 50°C and 10 min at 55°C respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results demonstrated that the combined treatments significantly reduced (P < 0·05) the population of C. sakazakii, compared to the control. Cronobacter sakazakii numbers were reduced much more rapidly with higher temperatures and increased concentrations of TQ. And combined treatment inactivated pathogen partly by causing cell membrane disruption.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

These findings suggested that TQ, together with mild heat, may have potential application in infant formula to control C. sakazakii before consumption and therefore is a possible way to prevent infections associated with C. sakazakii in infant formula.

[Total laparoscopy to treat hepatolithiasis using gallbladder-hepatic duct subcutaneous tunnel]

To investigate the effect and feasibility of total laparoscopy to treat hepatolithiasis using gallbladder-hepatic duct subcutaneous tunnel. Retrospective analysis was conducted of the case data of 11 patients with hepatolithiasis who underwent total laparoscopic treatment using gallbladder-hepatic duct subcutaneous tunnel from January 2010 to October 2014. The operation time, blood loss, postoperative complications and recurrence of stones were recorded.All the cases completed the operation.The average hospital-stay was 9.2 days (range: 3-29 d). The average operation time was 298 min (range: 225-480 min). The average blood loss was 253 mL (range: 50-700 mL), and the average blood loss of liver resection groups was 325 mL (range: 200-700 mL). The average discharge time was 3.3 days (range: 3-5 d). The rate of postoperative residual stones was 36.4% (4/11).We extracted stones with choledochofiberscope via T-tube sinus six weeks after operation. One case developed biliary leakage, and healed through adequate drainage and the T-tube was pulled out after one month. There was no perioperative mortality. All the cases were followed up and the mean follow-up was 22 months (range: 2-51 months). The anastomotic stenosis of gallbladder-hepatic duct was found in one case. But we got a good therapeutic result with performed gallbladder chemical ablation with 95% ethanol. No recurrence of hepatolithiasis was found. As a choice for minimally invasive method to hepatolithiasis using gallbladder-hepatic duct subcutaneous tunnel,total laparoscopy is a safe and feasible procedure.