DNA polymerase β mutations and survival of patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in Linzhou City,China

Linzhou City in northern China has a high incidence of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). This study retrospectively analyzed the data of 231 cases with ESCC collected from 1998 to 2012. Mutations of DNA polymerase β (polβ) gene in the ESCC samples from patients in Linzhou City were examined by amplifying polβ cDNA by RT-PCR followed by cloning and sequencing. Mutations in polβ were found in 105 cases (45.9 %). Nine types of mutations were identified in the polβ cDNA; the most common were 177–234 nt deletion (11.3 %), 462 nt G?→?T (9.1 %), and 648 nt G?→?C (6.9 %). Mutations in polβ appeared to be associated with TNM status (P?=?0.048). Follow-up data was used for survival analysis. The overall 5-year survival rate of the 231 patients was 37.4 %; the rate for patients with wild-type (WT) polβ was 41.8 %. Compared with the WT polβ group, the median survival for patients with specific mutations (177–234 nt deletion, 462 nt G?→?T, or 613 nt A?→?T) was significantly shorter (all P?=?0.000), and the 5-year survival rate decreased to 0 %. Patients with the 648 nt G?→?C mutation had improved survival (P?=?0.000) with a 5-year survival rate of 100 %. Our results identified nine types of mutations within polβ cDNA in ESCC patients with four mutations related to patient survival.     

Effect of retinoic acid on renal development in newborn mice treated with an angiogenesis inhibitor

Background: A mouse model of impaired renal development was developed and the effect of retinoic acid (RA) was investigated in this animal model. Methods: An angiogenesis inhibitor (SU1498) was injected s.c. into day 3 C57BL/6 newborn mice to create a model of arrested renal development. RA (2 mg/kg) was injected i.p. for 10 days. Morphometry and immunohistochemistry were done. Results: Mice injected with SU1498 demonstrated deranged renal development in tubular structure and glomerular tuft area. Cortical thickness and area of glomerular tuft were significantly decreased after vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitor, and were significantly restored by RA. The length of capillary loops/glomerulus, the number of podocytes/glomerulus, and density of peritubular capillaries on CD31 immunostaining were significantly decreased by VEGF blocking and recovered by RA. Conclusions: VEGF plays a major role in renal development, and RA reverses the inhibited development caused by an angiogenesis inhibitor.     

Evaluation of Femoral Tunnel Positioning Using 3-Dimensional Computed Tomography and Radiographs after Single Bundle Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction with Modified Transtibial Technique

Background

The purpose of this study is to report a modified transtibial technique to approach the center of anatomical femoral footprint in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction and to investigate the accurate femoral tunnel position with 3-dimensional computed tomography (3D-CT) and radiography after reconstruction.

Methods

From December 2010 to October 2011, we evaluated 98 patients who underwent primary ACL reconstruction using a modified transtibial technique to approach the center of anatomical femoral footprint in single bundle ACL reconstruction with hamstring autograft. Their femoral tunnel positions were investigated with 3D-CT and radiography postoperatively. Femoral tunnel angle was measured on the postoperative anteroposterior (AP) radiograph and the center of the femoral tunnel aperture on the lateral femoral condyle was assessed with 3D-CT according to the quadrant method by two orthopedic surgeons.

Results

According to the quadrant method with 3D-CT, the femoral tunnel was measured at a mean of 32.94% ± 5.16% from the proximal condylar surface (parallel to the Blumensaat line) and 41.89% ± 5.58% from the notch roof (perpendicular to the Blumensaat line) with good interobserver (intraclass correlation coefficients [ICC], 0.766 and 0.793, respectively) and intraobserver reliability (ICC, 0.875 and 0.893, respectively). According to the radiographic measurement on the AP view, the femoral tunnel angles averaged 50.43° ± 7.04° (ICC, 0.783 and 0.911, respectively).

Conclusions

Our modified transtibial technique is anticipated to provide more anatomical placement of the femoral tunnel during ACL reconstruction than the former traditional transtibial techniques.     

Receptors involved in the antinociception of intrathecal melatonin in formalin test of rats

The authors examined the antinocicepotive effect of melatonin in a nociceptive state and investigated a possible interaction with adrenergic or cholinergic receptors underlying this effect at the spinal level. Nociception was induced by a subcutaneous injection of 50 μl of a 5% formalin solution to the hindpaw of male Sprague–Dawley rats. The reversal effects of alpha-1 adrenoceptor antagonist (prazosin), alpha-2 adrenoceptor antagonist (yohimbine), muscarinic receptor antagonist (atropine) and nicotinic receptor antagonist (mecamylamine) on the activity of melatonin were assessed. Intrathecal melatonin reduced the flinching response during phase 1 and phase 2 in the formalin test. Intrathecal prazosin, yohimbine, atropine and mecamylamine increased the attenuating flinching response in both phases observed by intrathecal melatonin. Collectively, the present data suggest that intrathecal melatonin attenuates the facilitated state and acute pain evoked by formalin injection. Furthermore, the antinociception of melatonin is mediated through the alpha-1 adrenoceptor, alpha-2 adrenoceptor, muscarinic and nicotinic receptors in the spinal cord.     

Predictive Value of Echocardiographic Abnormalities and the Impact of Diastolic Dysfunction on In-hospital Major Cardiovascular Complications after Living Donor Kidney Transplantation

Patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) show characteristic abnormalities in cardiac structure and function. We evaluated the influence of these abnormalities on adverse cardiopulmonary outcomes after living donor kidney transplantation in patients with valid preoperative transthoracic echocardiographic evaluation. We then observed any development of major postoperative cardiovascular complications and pulmonary edema until hospital discharge. In-hospital major cardiovascular complications were defined as acute myocardial infarction, ventricular fibrillation/tachycardia, cardiogenic shock, newly-onset atrial fibrillation, clinical pulmonary edema requiring endotracheal intubation or dialysis. Among the 242 ESRD study patients, 9 patients (4%) developed major cardiovascular complications, and 39 patients (16%) developed pulmonary edema. Diabetes, ischemia-reperfusion time, left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDd), left ventricular mass index (LVMI), right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP), left atrium volume index (LAVI), and high E/E'' ratios were risk factors of major cardiovascular complications, while age, LVEDd, LVMI, LAVI, and high E/E'' ratios were risk factors of pulmonary edema. The optimal E/E'' cut-off value for predicting major cardiovascular complications was 13.0, showing 77.8% sensitivity and 78.5% specificity. Thus, the patient''s E/E'' ratio is useful for predicting in-hospital major cardiovascular complications after kidney transplantation. We recommend that goal-directed therapy employing E/E'' ratio be enacted in kidney recipients with baseline diastolic dysfunction to avert postoperative morbidity. (http://Clinical Trials.gov number: {"type":"clinical-trial","attrs":{"text":"NCT02322567","term_id":"NCT02322567"}}NCT02322567)     

进驻海拔4300m不同时间对移居青年血流动力学的影响

目的探讨进驻海拔4 300 m不同时间对移居青年血流动力学的影响。方法对进驻海拔4 300 m 1年和3年的健康青年,分别用XG-Ⅲ型血液循环功能自动测试仪检测血流动力学并与海拔1 400 m青年比较。结果进驻1年者较海拔1 400 m青年P,TPR,AR,η,CCP增加非常显著,BV,SV,VPE,mAP降低非常显著(P<0.01);ALT,PAWP增加显著,ETK降低显著(P<0.05)。进驻3年较进驻1年者η和ALT增加非常显著(P<0.01),SV和mAP降低显著(P<0.05);TPR,AR,PAWP,CCP增加,BV,VPE,ETK降低,但无统计学意义。结论青年人进驻海拔4 300 m 1年时血流动力学为低排高阻性改变;进驻3年时其低排高阻性改变较1年时有所加重。     

富氧水对进驻海拔5 380m青年抗低氧效果的观察

目的观察富氧水在高原的抗低氧效果。方法在海拔5380 m选择已习服2个月的男性士兵10名,分别在连续口服富氧水3 d前后做台阶运动负荷实验。结果服用3 d后与服用前比较,安静状态下和停止踏阶即刻心率(HR)显著降低(P<0.05);血氧饱和度(SaO2)及台阶指数显著增高(P<0.05)。结论口服富氧水3 d可改善高原低氧血症,增强进驻青年的运动能力。     

Out of sight but not out of mind: Home countries' macroeconomic volatilities and immigrants' mental health

We provide the first empirical evidence that better economic performances by immigrants' countries of origin, as measured by lower consumer price index (CPI) or higher gross domestic product, improve immigrants' mental health. We use an econometrically‐robust approach that exploits exogenous changes in macroeconomic conditions across immigrants' home countries over time and controls for immigrants' observable and unobservable characteristics. The CPI effect is statistically significant and sizeable. Furthermore, the CPI effect diminishes as the time since emigrating increases. By contrast, home countries' unemployment rates and exchange rate fluctuations have no impact on immigrants' mental health.     

Biogenetic temperament and character and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in Korean children

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and biogenetic temperament, as assessed by the Junior Temperament and Character Inventory (JTCI) in Korean elementary school children. SAMPLING AND METHODS: Five hundred and sixteen elementary school students (254 boys and 262 girls; age range 9-14 years, mean age 11.0 +/- 1.0 years) were studied. The Junior Temperament and Character Inventory, both the self-rating and parent rating scales, the DuPaul ADHD rating scale (ARS-IV) for parents and teachers and the Child Behavior Checklist have been completed by study subjects. Children with high ARS-IV scores (the upper 10th percentile, n = 52) were defined to have ADHD. Fifty-two age- and sex-matched non-ADHD control subjects were selected randomly from a pool of 464 subjects. RESULTS: Inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity symptoms correlated positively with Novelty Seeking in both children and parent ratings. These symptoms correlated negatively with Persistence, Self-Directedness and Cooperativeness. Novelty Seeking also had significant correlations with attention problems, delinquent behavior, aggressive behavior, externalizing problems and social problems in the Child Behavior Checklist. The ADHD group (n = 52) had higher scores of Novelty Seeking and lower scores of Self-Directedness and Cooperativeness, compared with the control group. CONCLUSIONS: There were significant correlations between ADHD symptoms and Novelty Seeking. Current findings suggest that Novelty Seeking and ADHD share biogenetic backgrounds.     

Should we screen for globin gene mutations in blood samples with mean corpuscular volume (MCV) greater than 80 fL in areas with a high prevalence of thalassaemia?

AIMS: To investigate whether it is worthwhile, in areas where thalassaemia is common, to screen for globin gene mutations in subjects with a mean corpuscular volume (MCV) above 80 fL, especially in partners of known thalassaemia carriers. METHODS: Blood samples from 95 subjects with MCV between 80 and 85 fL were screened for the presence of alpha globin gene mutations and the haemoglobin (Hb) E mutation. RESULTS: Thirty four subjects harboured globin gene mutations. Of these, 31 had deletions of one alpha globin gene, one had Hb Constant Spring, and three had Hb E mutations. CONCLUSION: Based on the above figures and known prevalence rates of thalassaemia carriers, it would seem worthwhile to screen for globin gene mutations in partners of known thalassaemia carriers, regardless of MCV, to identify pregnancies at risk of Hb H disease or Hb E/beta thalassaemia.