ALEX1 may be a novel biomarker for human cervical squamous cell carcinoma

The armadillo repeat proteins were first found in armadillo gene of Drosophila. Since then a number of proteins containing armadillo repeats have been noticed and studied. These proteins that consist of 6 to 13 armadillo repeat domains are classified as family of armadillo repeat proteins. Recently, several studies indicated that armadillo repeat family of proteins play an important role in the tumorigenesis and maintenance of tissue integrity. ALEX1 (Arm protein lost in epithelial cancers, on chromosome X), contains two armadillo repeats domains, is expressed different in normal and carcinomas tissues. Several studies have found that ALEX1 protein lost in tumors that originated in epithelial tissues. We evaluated the ALEX1 protein expression in 53 cervical cancers and in 53 non-cancerous cervical tissues from patients and adjacent non-cancerous tissues using immunohistochemistry Results: ALEX1 protein expression is significantly increased in 53 cervical cancers tissues compared with non-cancerous tissues. We found, for the first time, that ALEX1 protein expression in cervical cancers tissues is higher than non-cancerous tissues. It is suggested that the ALEX1 protein is associated with tumorigenesis in cervical cancer and we speculate that the ALEX1 may plays a role as an oncogene in cervical cancer. Moreover, ALEX1 may serve as a novel potential diagnostic biomarker in identifying cervical cancer.     

Comparison of changes in retentive force of three stud attachments for implant overdentures

PURPOSEThe aim of this study was to compare the changes in retentive force of stud attachments for implant overdentures by in vitro 2-year-wear simulation.RESULTSA comparison of the initial retentive force revealed the highest value for Kerator, followed by the O-ring and EZ lock attachments. However, no significant difference was detected between Kerator and O-ring (P>.05). After 2500 insertion and removal cycles, the highest retention loss was recorded for O-ring, and no significant difference between Kerator and EZ lock (P>.05). Also, Kerator showed the highest retentive force, followed by EZ lock and O-ring, after 2500 cycles (P<.05). Based on SEM analysis, the polymeric components in O-ring and Kerator were observed to exhibit surface wear and deformation.CONCLUSIONAfter 2500 insertion and removal cycles, all attachments exhibited significant loss in retention. Mechanism of retention loss can only be partially explained by surface changes.     

斑点追踪技术及三维超声心动图评价肺动脉高压患者右心房功能

目的 应用斑点追踪技术(STE)和三维超声心动图(3DE)分析肺动脉高压患者右心房各时相功能的变化,并探讨两者右心房功能参数的相关性。方法 选取临床诊断为肺动脉高压且经胸超声心动图估测肺动脉收缩压(PASP)≥40 mmHg者60例,按PASP分为:Ⅰ组(PASP为40~59 mmHg,20例),Ⅱ组(PASP为60~79 mmHg,20例)和Ⅲ组(≥80 mmHg,20例),另选健康体检者30名作为对照组,行常规二维、三维超声心动图检查,脱机分析获得右心房相关应变和三维容积参数。 结果 右心房平均纵向应变值:随PASP的升高,负向峰值(LSneg)较对照组呈先增高后减低的趋势,正向峰值(LSpos)和总体纵向应变值(LStot))呈减低趋势。3DE参数:总排空分数指数(EFI)、被动排空分数指数(EFIpas)随PASP的升高呈减低趋势,主动排空分数指数(EFIact)随PASP的升高较对照组呈先增高后减低的趋势(P均<0.05)。右心房排空容积指数(SVI)、主动排空容积指数(SVIact)、被动排空容积指数(SVIpas)随PASP的升高变化趋势不明显。相关性参数:LSneg与最小容积指数、LSpos与收缩前容积指数、LStot与EFI分别呈显著正相关(P均<0.01)。结论 STE和3DE两种方法均能较客观地反应不同程度肺动脉高压患者右心房功能的变化,二者相关性良好,相互补充,对疾病的诊断、病情评估及预后判断更加敏感、准确。     

Amino acids 89–96 of Salmonella typhimurium flagellin represent the major domain responsible for TLR5-independent adjuvanticity in the humoral immune response

Toll-like receptor 5 (TLR5) signaling in response to flagellin is dispensable for inducing humoral immunity, but alterations of aa 89–96, the TLR5 binding site, significantly reduced the adjuvanticity of flagellin. These observations indicate that the underlying mechanism remains incompletely understood. Here, we found that the native form of Salmonella typhimurium aa 89–96-mutant flagellin extracted from flagella retains some TLR5 recognition activity, indicating that aa 89–96 is the primary, but not the only site that imparts TLR5 activity. Additionally, this mutation impaired the production of IL-1β and IL-18. Using TLR5KO mice, we found that aa 89–96 is critical for the humoral adjuvant effect, but this effect was independent of TLR5 activation triggered by this region of flagellin. In summary, our findings suggest that aa 89–96 of flagellin is not only the crucial site responsible for TLR5 recognition, but is also important for humoral immune adjuvanticity through a TLR5-independent pathway.     

枕骨大孔-第二颈段血管周细胞瘤1例报道并文献复习

目的:探讨血管周细胞瘤的临床病理学特点及诊断要点.方法:对1例血管周细胞瘤进行临床资料、病理形态学及免疫组化观察,并结合文献对其诊断及鉴别诊断进行探讨.结果:本例镜下观肿瘤细胞为梭形,血管丰富,形成弥漫的网状结构,鹿角状的血管将肿瘤细胞分割小叶状,瘤细胞体积较大,胞浆丰富,边界不清,核呈圆形、卵圆形,病理性核分裂相多.免疫组化染色结果显示肿瘤细胞Vimentin(+)、CD34(+)、FVIII(+)、S-100(?)、CEA(?)和GFAP(?).结论:血管周细胞瘤,非常少见,因此缺乏对其认识,从而易与其他肿瘤混淆导致误诊.提高对血管周细胞瘤的认识,对避免误诊是至关重要的.     

高迁移率族蛋白B1在风湿性疾病中的作用及机制

高迁移率族蛋白B1(HMGB1)是一种非组蛋白性核蛋白,除了能与DNA结合并调节着染色体的架构外,它还能作为一种损伤相关的分子模式(DAMP)参与风湿性疾病的病理过程.尽管HMGB1主要位于细胞核内,但它在细胞活化和细胞死亡时可以转位至细胞质以及细细胞外空间.在细胞外,HMGB1的活性随半胱氨酸残基的氧化还原状态的不同而发生改变,其中半胱氨酸残基是其与TLR4结合所必需的.HMGB1除了直接刺激细胞外,它还能通过与细胞因子以及其他内源和外源的因子形成免疫复合物而发挥作用.在类风湿性关节炎患者滑液以及该疾病的动物模型中,核外HMGB1的表达量增加.在动物模型中阻断HMGB1表达能使疾病减轻.在系统性红斑狼疮(SLE)中能与DNA相互作用的HMGB1是免疫复合物的组成部分.总之,HMGB1可以是风湿性疾病中的一个重要中介物和生物标志,有希望成为有价值的新靶点用于治疗相关疾病.     

肺良性转移性子宫平滑肌瘤临床病理分析并文献复习

目的：探讨肺良性转移性子宫平滑肌瘤(benign metastasizing leiomyoma,BML)的临床病理学特点及临床治疗。方法：对1例肺良性转移性子宫平滑肌瘤进行临床资料、病理形态学形态及免疫组织化学观察,并结合文献对其诊断及鉴别诊断、临床治疗、预后进行探讨。结果：肿瘤形态类似子宫平滑肌瘤,瘤细胞呈梭形,无细胞的非典型性,未见坏死,核分裂像罕见。免疫组织化学染色示肿瘤细胞：ER、PR、SMA、Calponin强阳性。结论：BML非常罕见,肺是常见转移部位,因缺乏对其认识,易与其他肿瘤混淆导致误诊。提高对BML的认识对避免误诊非常重要。     

Toll-like receptor 4 gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to colorectal cancer: a meta-analysis and review

Introduction

Many case-control studies have investigated the association between toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) Asp299Gly and Thr399Ile polymorphisms and risk of colorectal cancer (CRC). However, published data are still conflicting.

Material and methods

A systematic search was conducted in the electronic databases of PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science and CNKI between 2000 and 2014. The associations between TLR4 polymorphisms and CRC susceptibility were assessed by pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) in fixed or random effects models.

Results

In total nine case-control studies were identified in this meta-analysis. For TLR4 Asp299Gly polymorphism, 9 studies included 1198 cases and 1290 controls. The GG genotype carriers had higher risk for developing CRC than AA + GA genotype carriers (OR = 1.95, 95% CI: 1.00–3.77, p = 0.05). No association was found in other genetic models (p > 0.05). Analysis stratified by ethnicity showed no association in any genetic models among the Asian or Caucasian population. For TLR4 Thr399Ile polymorphism, 6 studies contained 619 cases and 632 controls. The overall analysis showed significantly increased risk in TT homozygote carriers compared to CC homozygote (OR = 4.99, 95% CI: 1.41–17.65, p = 0.01) and C carriers (TC + CC) (OR = 4.50, 95% CI: 1.27–15.87, p = 0.02). In terms of analyses stratified by race, a significant association was found in each genetic model among the Asian population, rather than the Caucasian group.

Conclusions

The GG homozygote carriers of TLR4 Asp299Gly and TT homozygote carriers of TLR4 Thr399Ile polymorphisms might be correlated with an increased risk of CRC, suggesting they may serve as genetic risk factors for CRC.     

Effect of Rifampin and Rifabutin on Serum Itraconazole Levels in Patients with Chronic Pulmonary Aspergillosis and Coexisting Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Infection

We investigated the effects of rifampin and rifabutin on serum itraconazole levels in patients with chronic pulmonary aspergillosis. Serum itraconazole concentrations were significantly lower in patients who received itraconazole with rifampin (median, 0.1 μg/ml; P < 0.001) or rifabutin (median, 0.34 μg/ml; P < 0.001) than those receiving itraconazole alone (median, 5.92 μg/ml). Concomitant use of rifampin or rifabutin and itraconazole should be avoided in patients with chronic pulmonary aspergillosis and coexisting mycobacterial infections.     

PBL教学法在儿童神经内科疾病临床见习中的应用

把以问题为基础的学习（PBL）教学的方法运用到儿童神经病学的教学工作中,取得了良好的教学效果,培养了学生独立自主的精神,可以提高学生在实际的临床环境中分析问题和解决问题的能力。但是,与传统的教学模式相比,PBL也有其局限性,并对教师提出了更高的要求。