Correction to: Relationship Between Magnetic Resonance T2-Mapping and Matrix Metalloproteinase 1,3 in Knee Osteoarthritis

ObjectiveTo investigate the relationship between quantitative analysis of MRI (T2-mapping) and the expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP-1, MMP-3) in osteoarthritis of the knee joint and the role of MMP-1,3 in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis.MethodsThirty cases of knee osteoarthritis (KOA) patients with total knee arthroplasty (TKA) (lesion group) and 30 healthy adult volunteers (control group) were scanned with 1.5 T routine MR and T2-mapping, and their T2 values were measured and statistically analyzed. The pathological examination of the knee cartilage that was replaced during the operation and the immunohistochemical assay were used to measure the expression of MMP-1,3. The correlation between the T2 value of magnetic resonance imaging and the expression of MMP-1,3 was analyzed.Results(1) According to the Recht grading standard for magnetic resonance, the T2 value of magnetic resonance increased significantly with the increase of cartilage degeneration. The differences in T2 values between each level and the normal group were statistically significant (P  < 0.05). (2) The T2 value of magnetic resonance imaging increased with the severity of the cartilage degeneration pathological Mankin grading, and the difference was statistically significant (P  <  0.05). (3) The expression of MMP-1,3 increased with cartilage degeneration. (4) The T2 value and the expression of MMP-1 in cartilage showed a linear trend. The result of Spearman correlation analysis showed that the expression of MMP-1,3 increased as the cartilage T2 value increased. There was a positive linear correlation between the two.ConclusionThe T2 value of magnetic resonance increased with the degeneration of KOA cartilage. The expression of MMP-1,3 increased with the severity of articular cartilage destruction. The T2 value of KOA magnetic resonance was positively correlated with the expression of MMP-1,3.     

Six stroma-based RNA markers diagnostic for prostate cancer in European-Americans validated at the RNA and protein levels in patients in China

We previously analyzed human prostate tissue containing stroma near to tumor and from cancer-negative tissues of volunteers. Over 100 candidate gene expression differences were identified and used to develop a classifier that could detect nearby tumor with an accuracy of 97% (sensitivity = 98% and specificity = 88%) based on 364 independent test cases from primarily European American cases. These stroma-based gene signatures have the potential to identify cancer patients among those with negative biopsies. In this study, we used prostate tissues from Chinese cases to validate six of these markers (CAV1, COL4A2, HSPB1, ITGB3, MAP1A and MCAM). In validation by real-time PCR, four genes (COL4A2, HSPB1, ITGB3, and MAP1A) demonstrated significantly lower expression in tumor-adjacent stroma compared to normal stroma (p value ≤ 0.05). Next, we tested whether these expression differences could be extended to the protein level. In IHC assays, all six selected proteins showed lower expression in tumor-adjacent stroma compared to the normal stroma, of which COL4A2, HSPB1 and ITGB3 showed significant differences (p value ≤ 0.05). These results suggest that biomarkers for diagnosing prostate cancer based on tumor microenvironment may be applicable across multiple racial groups.     

Temporal Patterns in Work-Related Fatalities Among Foreign-Born Workers in the US, 1992–2007

In the United States, approximately 20% of all workers who died on the job in 2007 were foreign-born. The objective of this study was to describe trends in occupational fatalities among foreign-born workers. An analysis of fatal injuries among foreign-born workers in the US occurring from 1992 through 2007 was conducted using the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries. Individual characteristics, employment characteristics, injury events and industry employment were summarized and evaluated for trends. Both the number and proportion of foreign-born workers who died from a traumatic work-related injury increased substantially over the time period studied. The proportion who were men, aged 25–44 years, Hispanic, non self-employed, employed by business establishments with 10 or fewer employees, working at private residences and working in Construction and Services consistently increased throughout the time period. While some trends among foreign-born decedents are improving, others are worsening. More comprehensive research efforts are needed to address the occupational injury and safety issues among foreign-born workers, with a focus on Hispanics.     

Systolic Anterior Motion of the Mitral Valve in the Absence Left Ventricular Hypertrophy: Role of Mitral Leaflet Elongation and Papillary Muscle Displacement

We report a 15‐year‐old patient who presented with exercise dyspnea and limitation of physical activity. Echocardiography revealed significant left ventricular outflow tract obstruction caused by systolic anterior motion (SAM) of the mitral valve. The wall thickness of the left ventricle was within normal limits. Elongation of the mitral leaflets and anterior displacement of the posteromedial papillary muscle were apparent in the echocardiographic examination. These two factors have been previously demonstrated to play a central role in the occurrence of SAM in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. The present case validates that such intrinsic abnormalities of the mitral valve can cause significant SAM even in the absence of left ventricular hypertrophy. (Echocardiography 2010;27:E36‐E38)     

关于“双向评价系统”的评价模式构建

结合“双向评价系统”开发实践，从评价任务实际需求考虑，构建了教学质量评价、教学满意度测评、教学比武竞赛和评价数据管理四大功能模块，并就每个功能模块的组成和特点逐一进行了介绍。     

Genetic and dietary regulation of lipid droplet expansion in Caenorhabditis elegans

Dietary fat accumulates in lipid droplets or endolysosomal compartments that undergo selective expansion under normal or pathophysiological conditions. We find that genetic defects in a peroxisomal β-oxidation pathway cause size expansion in lipid droplets that are distinct from the lysosome-related organelles in Caenorhabditis elegans. Expansion of lipid droplets is accompanied by an increase in triglycerides (TAG) that are resistant to fasting- or TAG lipase-triggered lipolysis. Nevertheless, in mutant animals, a diet poor in vaccenic acid reduced the TAG level and lipid droplet size. Our results implicate peroxisomal dysfunction in pathologic lipid droplet expansion in animals and illustrate how dietary factors modulate the phenotype of such genetic defects.     

Serum VEGF and VEGF-C values before surgery and after postoperative treatment in gastric cancer

Introduction

Angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis are essential processes for the formation of blood and lymphatic vessels that allow tumour growth and spread. The binding of VEGF and VEGF-C factors with their receptors (VEGFR2, VEGFR3) in endothelial cells triggers signals that regulate these processes. We compared preoperative serum VEGF and VEGF-C levels with samples obtained after completion of surgery and adjuvant treatment in patients with gastric cancer. In addition, we determined the prognostic value and relationship to survival of serum VEGF and VEGF-C levels.

Methods

We used a prospective cohort study of 59 gastric cancer patients who underwent surgery. Serum VEGF and VEGF-C were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) the day before surgery and 6 months later, after completion of adjuvant treatment.

Results

Serum VEGF values decreased after treatment in patients with resectable tumours (mean ± SD) (405.42 ± 298.38 vs. 306.38 ± 212.47 pg/ml; p < 0.01), poorly differentiated and undifferentiated tumours (G3, G4) (438 ± 339.71 vs. 322.47 ± 210.71 pg/ml; p = 0.01), locally advanced gastric tumours (T4 stage) (424.27 ± 323.08 vs. 333.62 ± 221.72 pg/ml; p = 0.03) and tumours with a greater number of involved regional lymph nodes (N3) (442.38 ± 311.52 vs. 337.4 ± 203.64 pg/ml; p = 0.04). Serum preoperative VEGF values over 761 pg/ml were associated with shorter patient survival. The mean overall survival time for patients with serum VEGF levels higher than 761 pg/ml was 7 ± 2.99 months (95 % CI 1.14–12.86) while for patients with serum VEGF levels of less than 761 pg/ml was 21.18 ± 2.88 (95 % CI 15.54–26.83) The mean disease-specific survival time for patients with serum VEGF levels higher than 761 pg/ml was 6.25 ± 2.53 months (95 % CI 1.29–11.21) while for patients with serum VEGF levels of less than 761 pg/ml was 27.57 ± 3.45 (95 % CI 20.80–34.35). Multivariate analysis identified preoperative serum VEGF levels as an independent prognostic factor (HR = 0.144; p = 0.03).

Conclusions

Serum VEGF levels decreased after the completion of treatment in patients with resected tumours, suggesting VEGF tracking may be useful in monitoring progression. Preoperative measurement of serum VEGF may help us identify patients with a poor prognosis.     

Mother-to-infant transmission of hepatitis B virus: a Chinese experience

Over 90% of infants infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV) caused by mother-to-infant transmission will evolve to carrier status, and this cannot be prevented until widespread administration of the HB vaccine and hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG) is implemented. This prospective study of 214 infants born to HBsAg-positive mothers was carried out to determine if either perinatal or intrauterine HBV transmission could be effectively prevented with HBIG and the HB vaccine. Peripheral blood was collected from mothers and from newborns before they received HBIG and the HB vaccine, as well as at 0, 1, 7, 24, and 36 months after birth. Infants born with an ratio of signal to noise(S/N) value of >5 for HBsAg (ABBOTT Diagnostic Kit) were defined as mother-to-infant transmission cases, those with an S/N between 5 and 50 were classified as perinatal transmission cases, and those with an S/N >50 were considered intrauterine transmission cases. Mother-to-infant transmission occurred in approximately 4.7% (10/214) of the infants; the perinatal transmission and intrauterine transmission rates were 3.7% (8/214) and 0.9% (2/214), respectively. The risk of mother-to-infant transmission increased along with maternal HBeAg or HBVDNA levels. After 36 months of follow-up, all perinatal cases became HBsAg-negative, whereas all intrauterine transmission cases evolved into carrier status. These results indicate that infants infected via intrauterine transmission cannot be effectively protected by HBIG and HB vaccine.