小柴胡汤对鼠实验性肝纤维化的影响

目的:探讨小柴胡汤对鼠肝纤维化的抑制作用及该抑制作用与活性伊东细胞间的相互关系。方法:分别腹腔注射二甲基亚硝基胺和猪血清复制两种肝纤维化动物模型并投予小柴胡汤观察其预防与治疗作用。结果:小柴胡汤可促进肝维生素 A 含量恢复;降低肝胶原含量和明显抑制肝前α-Ⅰ型胶原的基因表达;显著减少Ⅰ、Ⅲ型胶原在肝脏沉积,明显减少。α-平滑肌原纤维阳性的伊东细胞的数目。结论:小柴胡汤可防治鼠肝纤维化的发生与发展。     

Overexpression of the aldo-keto reductase family protein AKR1B10 is highly correlated with smokers' non-small cell lung carcinomas.

PURPOSE: Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and adenocarcinoma of the lung are currently subject to similar treatment regimens despite distinct differences in histology and epidemiology. The aim of this study is to identify a molecular target with diagnostic and therapeutic values for SCC. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Genes specifically up-regulated in SCC were explored through microarray analysis of 5 SCCs, 5 adenocarcinomas, 10 small cell lung carcinomas, 27 normal tissues, and 40 cancer cell lines. Clinical usefulness of these genes was subsequently examined mainly by immunohistochemical analysis. RESULTS: Seven genes, including aldo-keto reductase family 1, member B10 (AKR1B10), were identified as SCC-specific genes. AKR1B10 was further examined by immunohistochemical analysis of 101 non-small cell lung carcinomas (NSCLC) and its overexpression was observed in 27 of 32 (84.4%) SCCs and 19 of 65 (29.2%) adenocarcinomas. Multiple regression analysis showed that smoking was an independent variable responsible for AKR1B10 overexpression in NSCLCs (P < 0.01) and adenocarcinomas (P < 0.01). AKR1B10 staining was occasionally observed even in squamous metaplasia, a precancerous lesion of SCC. CONCLUSION: AKR1B10 was overexpressed in most cases with SCC, which is closely associated with smoking, and many adenocarcinoma cases of smokers. These results suggest that AKR1B10 is a potential diagnostic marker specific to smokers' NSCLCs and might be involved in tobacco-related carcinogenesis.     

Mother-to-Child Transmission of Congenital Chagas Disease,Japan

We report a patient with congenital Chagas disease in Japan. This report reemphasizes the role of neglected and emerging tropical diseases in the era of globalization. It also indicates the need for increased vigilance for detecting Chagas disease in non–disease-endemic countries.     

Congenital Cytomegalovirus Infection in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Association of congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection with autism spectral disorder (ASD) has been suggested since 1980s. Despite the observed association, its role as a risk factor for ASD remains to be defined. In the present review, we systematically evaluated the available evidence associating congenital CMV infection with ASD using PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Embase databases. Any studies on children with CMV infection and ASD were evaluated for eligibility and three observational studies were included in meta-analysis. Although a high prevalence of congenital CMV infection in ASD cases (OR 11.31, 95% CI 3.07–41.66) was indicated, too few events (0–2 events) in all included studies imposed serious limitations. There is urgent need for further studies to clarify this issue.