Decreased expression levels of DAL-1 and TOB1 are associated with clinicopathological features and poor prognosis in gastric cancer

PurposeWe previously demonstrated that the functional inactivation of DAL-1 and TOB1 promotes an aggressive phenotype in gastric cancer cells, but the links between both genes and the survival of patients with gastric cancer are unknown. Here, we investigated the correlations of the expression levels of DAL-1 and TOB1 with the progression of gastric cancer.MethodsA total of 270 patients who underwent resectable gastrectomy were included. The expression of DAL-1 and TOB1 was detected by immunohistochemistry.ResultsLow expression of DAL-1 in cancer tissue was significantly associated with tumor site (p < 0.05), histological grade (p < 0.01), depth of invasion (p < 0.05), lymph node metastasis status (p < 0.05), Lauren classification (p < 0.001), and clinical stage (p < 0.01). A lower level of TOB1 was observed in gastric cancer patients with diffuse type disease compared to patients with either intestinal or mixed type disease (p < 0.001). Additionally, Spearman’s correlation analysis revealed that decreased expression of DAL-1 was positively correlated with low TOB1 expression (r=0.304, p < 0.001). The survival analysis showed that low levels of DAL-1 and TOB1 were significantly associated with poor survival of gastric cancer patients (p <0.001 and p < 0.05, respectively).ConclusionThe downregulation of DAL-1 and TOB1 expression is associated with shorter survival of gastric cancer patients. Hence, DAL-1 and TOB1 may be considered potential novel markers for predicting the outcomes of patients with gastric cancer.     

Therapeutic effects of topical 0.03% Tacrolimus ointment in children with refractory vernal keratoconjunctivitis in Middle East

ObjectiveThe purpose of this paper is to review the efficacy and safety profile in children treated with topical 0.03% Tacrolimus ointment for vernal keratoconjunctivitis in Middle East and to propose a treatment posology. According to recent studies, a complex non-IgE dependent mechanism plays a relevant role in the pathogenesis of vernal keratoconjunctivitis. Numerous cells and mediators have been found in the serum, conjunctiva and tears of patients with Vernal keratoconjunctivitis.DesignThis case series included 10 patients from a single centre, pediatric department of a tertiary hospital with active symptomatic vernal keratoconjunctivitis. All the patients had proliferative lesions and corneal involvement despite conventional medications, including topical steroids. All other medications, systemic and topical: steroids, antihistamines and cyclosporine, were unsuccessful. Patients were treated with topical 0.03% Tacrolimus ointment twice daily for 8 weeks and then once a day for the next two month followed by thrice a week for two months. The changes in symptoms and signs after treatment were evaluated, also the development of possible complications was assessed.ResultsThe results showed a significant reduction in signs and symptoms after 4 weeks of the treatment. Clinical resolution of giant papillae and corneal lesions were seen within eight weeks and no additional drug was required during that period, except tear substitutes. Treatment was continued for period of two months and then slowly reduced.ConclusionThe use of 0.03% Tacrolimus ointment is safe and effective in children refractory to conventional treatment of vernal keratoconjunctivitis even in high temperature climate as Middle East. Due to the effectiveness of the treatment, the dosage used may be proposed for conventional use.     

Successful Treatment for BK Virus Nephropathy by Leflunomide in a Kidney Transplant Patient: A Case Report

IntroductionThe immunosuppressant agents in kidney transplantation (KT) may lead to various complications such as opportunistic infections and malignancies. BK virus associated nephropathy is a significant complication following KT, and it can result in graft failure. BK virus causes tubulointerstitial nephritis, ureter stenosis, and even graft failure in KT recipients with impaired immune system. We described a 63-year-old woman, who was a hepatitis C carrier and on dialysis for 22 years before KT, who received cadaveric-donor KT 2 years previously. She reported decreasing urine output and general weakness. The serum creatinine level was slightly increased from 2.94 to 4.38 mg/dL.MethodsImmunosuppressant medications including prednisolone, everolimus, cyclosporin, and mycophenolate sodium were continued as maintenance therapy post KT. Kidney biopsy was performed due to deterioration of graft function.ResultsThe kidney biopsy showed consistent results with early-stage polyomavirus nephropathy, characterized by focal viral cytopathic changes with positive immunohistochemical signals and mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis, immune-complex-mediated (Fig 1 and Fig 2). Negative C4d staining at peritubular capillary was reported. The dosage of mycophenolate sodium was tapered from 720 to 360 mg daily and that of everolimus increased from 0.5 to 1.0 mg daily due to BK viral infection with BK nephropathy. The serum creatinine level was 2.75 mg/dL after treatment.ConclusionEarly detection of BK nephropathy and decreasing immunosuppressant agents are the mainstay of treatment. Substituting leflunomide for mycophenolate sodium and increasing dosage of everolimus has been proposed to solve BK nephropathy. We presented that the use of leflunomide in such situation is in a timely manner.     

深圳市宝安区梅毒血清固定孕妇的筛查及规范性治疗对妊娠结局和新生儿影响

目的对深圳市宝安区梅毒血清固定的妊娠期孕妇的状况进行筛查及了解规范性治疗对妊娠结局和新生儿的影响。方法选取2015年1月至2017年12月深圳市宝安区医疗单位进行免费梅毒保健筛查的妊娠期孕妇作为观察对象。对妊娠期梅毒患者的数量及梅毒血清固定的人数比例进行分析。梅毒血清固定孕妇,根据第一疗程、第二疗程同时驱梅用药患者作为治疗组,而两疗程没有同时进行药物治疗或两疗程均没有驱梅用药的患者作为未治疗组,选取同期正常孕妇作为对照组,观察规范性治疗对妊娠结局和新生儿影响。结果 2015年1月至2017年12月深圳市宝安区梅毒筛查中,3年的梅毒确诊分别为204例、154例和195例;血清固定孕妇占比分别为5.39%、9.74%和3.07%;在血清固定组患者中不良结局妊娠上三组之间差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);梅毒血清固定患者中治疗组新生儿血清梅毒阳性率和不良事件发生率均显著低于未治疗组,差异具有统计学意义(均P<0.05)。结论本次研究结果显示,在梅毒血清固定患者中采取药物治疗对于提高新生儿的存活率、降低新生儿血清感染率和不良疾病发生率上均具有较好帮助,值得在梅毒血清型固定妊娠妇女中推荐应用。     

南山区与某社区常住人口6年恶性肿瘤发病调查

目的：了解某社区常住人口恶性肿瘤平均年发病率是否高于周边人群，重点是白血病平均年发病率。方法：采用回顾性调查法及个案调查表收集该社区1998年6月～2004年9月常住人口中的确诊恶性肿瘤病人22例，将该社区恶性肿瘤平均年发病率与南山区在该时段恶性肿瘤平均的发病率进行比较。结果：1998年6月～2004年9月南山区常住人口恶性肿瘤平均年发病66．1／10万，某社区常住人口恶性肿瘤平均年发病率29．9／10万，两地差异有统计学意义（F=0．0001，P〈0．05）；南山区常住人口白血病平均年发病率2．79／10万，某社区常住人口白血病平均年发病率4．07／10万，两者无统计学意义差异（F=0．467，P〉0．05）。结论：该社区常住人口恶性肿瘤及白血病平均年发病水平低于南山区全区水平。     

伊克昭盟甘草群落调查报告

通过样地调查和采挖试验,内蒙古伊克昭盟的甘草群落可划分为12个类型,并对各类群落的利用作出评估。     

Aspects of imported malaria at a district general hospital in non-endemic Kuwait,Arabian Gulf

There is no indigenous mosquito-borne transmission of malaria in Kuwait. However, in a five year period at a district general hospital, the number of laboratory-diagnosed cases of malaria increased annually from 25 to 84, a rise of 336%. Except for two induced infections, all were imported, mainly from the Indian subcontinent. Plasmodium vivax was responsible for 87.29% of the cases; P. falciparum (12.05%), a mixed infection of P. vivax and P. falciparum (0.33%) and a case of P. ovale (0.33%) were also identified. Rapid preparation of acetone-fixed, Giemsa-stained thick blood films, a heightened awareness of the infection, examination of multiple samples of blood from patients and the general resurgence of malaria in endemic areas were some of the factors responsible for the high number of cases diagnosed. Most patients were young males and presented with clinical malaria due to P. vivax between May and October each year, an apparent seasonal peak. However, many were already resident in the country for a variable period. Patients with P. falciparum though, presented clinically within two weeks of arrival in the country. Parasite densities were calculated to monitor the progress of treatment and identify quickly any possible chloroquine-resistant P. falciparum strains. A policy of active prophylaxis is suggested to stem the tide of imported malaria.Corresponding author.     

云南省卫生资源配置标准的弹性系数研究

目的　在进行云南省区域分类基础上制定云南省区域卫生资源配置标准标志值后 ,根据云南省各个地区的特点增加不同弹性系数。方法　采用流行病学研究方法 ,收集和分析云南省不同地州市 1990～ 1999年有关人口、社会经济状况及卫生经费的投入、居民健康状况、居民文化、生活水平、少数民族状况、旅游地区、边境线长短及贫困状况等资料。结果　研究结果表明曲靖地区、玉溪市、保山地区增加弹性系数最少 ,分别为 0 67%、 1 5 8%和1 68% ,怒江州、迪庆州和西双版纳州增加弹性系数最多 ,分别为 11 15 %、 10 2 5 %和 9 84 %。其它地区的弹性系数分别为昆明市 5 88% ,昭通地区 2 3 1% ,楚雄州 2 3 0 % ,红河州 7 0 3 % ,文山州 5 5 3 % ,思茅地区 7 4 3 % ,大理州4 94 % ,德宏州 6 78% ,丽江地区 4 3 5 % ,临沧地区 6 13 %。结论　云南省区域卫生配置标准的弹性系数研究为云南省卫生资源区域分类配置标准提供了科学依据 ,不同弹性系数体现了云南省不同地区的卫生资源区域分类配置标准的公平性、合理性及实用性     

2006—2020年重庆市涪陵区职业病发病情况分析

目的调查了解2006—2020年重庆市涪陵区职业病发病情况,为进一步制定针对性的职业病防控策略和措施提供科学依据。方法从"职业病及健康危害因素监测信息系统"中导出2006—2020年重庆市涪陵区职业病报告卡,提取病例及用人单位基本情况和诊断信息等,采用SPSS 19.0软件建立数据库并进行描述性统计分析。结果2006—2020年重庆市涪陵区共报告新发职业病8类443例,发病例数除2012年出现爆发式增长外(236例,53.27%),其余年份发病较为平稳。男性441例,女性2例,以职业性尘肺病为主(409例,92.33%),患者平均发病年龄为60.55岁,平均接害工龄为2年(2,12),用人单位行业主要分布在建筑业(247例,61.29%)。尘肺病病例以壹期(236例,57.70%)、矽肺病例为主(343例,83.82%)。行业分布前3位分别为建筑业(246例,60.15%)、采矿业(80例,19.56%)和公共管理、社会保障和社会组织(54例,13.20%)。除尘肺病外其他类型职业病以职业性化学性中毒(14例)和职业性耳鼻口腔疾病(13例)居多,其中又以氟及其无机化合物中毒(10/14)及噪声聋(12/13)居多。结论尘肺病仍然是重庆市涪陵区职业病防治工作的重中之重,控制增量,保障现存患者的治疗和康复,提高其生存质量,是今后尘肺病防治工作的重点,同时应重点加强对噪声作业和氟作业危害的关注。