Tid1 functions as a tumour suppressor in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Human tumourous imaginal disc (Tid1), a human homologue of the Drosophila tumour suppressor protein Tid56, is involved in multiple intracellular signalling pathways such as apoptosis, cell proliferation, and cell survival. Here, we investigated the anti‐tumourigenic activity of Tid1 in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) in vitro and in vivo. Firstly, the clinical association between Tid1 expression and progression of HNSCC was explored. It was found that expression of Tid1 was negatively associated with tumour status, recurrence, and survival prognosis using immunohistochemical analysis of primary HNSCC patient tumour tissue. Secondly, ectopic expression of Tid1 in HNSCC cells was shown to significantly inhibit cell proliferation, migration, invasion, anchorage‐independent growth, and xenotransplantation tumourigenicity. Thirdly, we showed that overexpression of Tid1 attenuated EGFR activity and blocked the activation of AKT in HNSCC cells, which are known to be involved in the regulation of survival in HNSCC cells. On the other hand, ectopic expression of constitutively active AKT greatly reduced apoptosis induced by Tid1 overexpression. Together, these findings suggest that Tid1 functions as a tumour suppressor in HNSCC tumourigenesis. Copyright © 2009 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Bacterial infection in deep paraspinal muscles in a parturient following epidural analgesia

We report a case of paraspinal muscle infection shortly after epidural analgesia for labor pain in a nulliparous parturient who was subjected to emergent Cesarean section because of fetal distress. Epidural morphine was administered for 3 days for postoperative pain control. She began to have constant lower back pain on postpartum Day 4. Magnetic resonance image study revealed a broad area of subcutaneous edema with a continuum along the catheter trajectory deep to the paraspinal muscles. An injection-related bacterial infection was suspected; the patient was treated with intravenous antibiotics and was soon cured uncomplicatedly. Epidural analgesia is effective to control labor pain and, in general, it is safe. However, the sequelae of complicated infection may be underestimated. We herein report a case complicated by iatrogenic infection, discuss the causes, and give suggestions for prevention.     

一次随机尿碘在碘缺乏病监测中应用的可行性

同步采集了１００名７～１４岁儿童一次随机尿和２４ｈ尿，结果显示：１１～１４岁儿童２４ｈ尿量接近１１，一次随机尿碘与２４ｈ尿碘呈统计学显著正相关，并有良好的线性回归关系。证明在一定范围内，可通过监测一次随机尿碘推测２４ｈ尿碘．还分两个季节对１１名成人进行了一次随机尿的连续采集，发现各次采样人群尿碘平均水平无统计学显著差异，说明就群体而言，一次随机尿碘可以代表一个时期内人群碘营养状况。     

Two polymorphisms in NEDD4L gene and essential hypertension in Chinese Hans - a population-based case-control study

Neural precursor cell expressed developmentally down-regulated 4-like (NEDD4L) gene may play an important role in the development of hypertension by regulating the amiloride-sensitive epithelial sodium channel for sodium reabsorption. Recently, a functional polymorphism located at the last nucleotide of exon 1 (rs4149601) of the NEDD4L gene were found to be associated with hypertension both in African Americans and whites, and a "flip-flop" association with hypertension was found in two white samples for a polymorphism located at intron 13 (rs3865418). In this study, we aimed at examining the role of these two variants on essential hypertension in Chinese Hans. In a population-based association study, we observed significantly higher prevalence of T allelic frequencies (p = 0.023) in hypertensives than normotensives. In logistic regression analysis, the stronger association was found under the additive model with an odds ratio of 1.31 (1.04-1.67) for T allele (p = 0.025). The association remained significant (p = 0.039) with an odds ratio of 1.29 (1.01-3.66) when adjusting for age and sex. We also constructed an ANCOVA factorial model by using clinical parameters as the dependent variable for rs3865418 polymorphisms. A significantly higher diastolic blood pressure was observed at rs3865418 in the dominant model for the T allele (p = 0.009). The positive association still exist after controlling age and sex (p = 0.013). For rs4149601 polymorphism, however, we did not observe a positive association with hypertension by implicating either logistic regression models or ANCOVA models. Thus, our results support rs3865418 but not rs4149601 polymorphism of NEDD4L gene implicated in the prevalence of hypertension in Chinese Hans.     

Acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: Influence of social factors in determining length of hospital stay and readmission rates

BACKGROUND:

Acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) is the leading reason for hospitalization in Canada and a significant financial burden on hospital resources. Identifying factors that influence the time a patient spends in the hospital and readmission rates will allow for better use of scarce hospital resources.

OBJECTIVES:

To determine the factors that influence length of stay (LOS) in the hospital and readmission for patients with AECOPD in an inner-city hospital.

METHODS:

Using the Providence Health Records, a retrospective review of patients admitted to St Paul’s Hospital (Vancouver, British Columbia) during the winter of 2006 to 2007 (six months) with a diagnosis of AECOPD, was conducted. Exacerbations were classified according to Anthonisen criteria to determine the severity of exacerbation on admission. Severity of COPD was scored using the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) criteria. For comparative analysis, severity of disease (GOLD criteria), age, sex and smoking history were matched.

RESULTS:

Of 109 admissions reviewed, 66 were single admissions (61%) and 43 were readmissions (39%). The number of readmissions ranged from two to nine (mean of 3.3 readmissions). More than 85% of admissions had the severity of COPD equal to or greater than GOLD stage 3. The significant indicators for readmission were GOLD status (P<0.001), number of related comorbidities (OR 1.47, 95% CI 1.10 to 1.97; P<0.009) and marital status (single) (OR 4.18, 95% CI 1.03 to 17.02; P<0.046). The requirement for social work involvement during hospital admission was associated with a prolonged LOS (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS:

The results of the present study show that disease severity (GOLD status) and number of comorbidities are associated with readmission rates of patients with AECOPD. Interestingly, social factors such as marital status and the need for social work intervention are also linked to readmission rates and LOS, respectively, in patients with AECOPD.     

单克隆抗体抗贾第虫作用的研究

应用体外纯培养的贾第虫滋养体免疫ＢＡＬＢ／ｃ小鼠和常规杂交瘤细胞技术，制备特异的抗贾第虫单克隆抗体（１Ｅ２，１Ｇ５），以其与贾第虫滋养体相互作用，均发现具有明显的抗贾第虫效果，生长抑制率分别为３５％和６３．４％；将此单抗加入正常培养液中，其含量与抑制率呈现明显的剂量反应关系，相关系数分别为０．９７６４和０．８９８７；单抗经滋养体吸收后，对贾第虫的生长抑制作用消失；经补体灭活前后的豚鼠血清对单抗的抑制作用无影响。     

放置胆管支架治疗胆管梗阻131例临床分析

目的 探讨放置胆管支架治疗胆管梗阻性疾病的可行性和疗效.方法 回顾性分析解放军总医院消化疾病中心2006年4月至2007年2月对131例住院胆管梗阻性疾病患者行138例次放置胆管支架的诊治经过,分析其黄疸改善情况及并发症的发生率.结果 全部患者均成功放置了胆管支架,术后3d血清总胆红素、直接胆红素、碱性磷酸酶和γ-谷氨酰转移酶均明显下降,差异有统计学意义.主要并发症为胆管炎及胰腺炎.结论 放置胆管支架为治疗胆管梗阻性疾病的有效治疗方法,尤其是为失去手术机会的患者提供了重要的治疗方案.