Alcohol and aldehyde dehydrogenase gene polymorphisms influence susceptibility to esophageal cancer in Japanese alcoholics

BACKGROUND: Studies have consistently demonstrated that inactive aldehyde dehydrogenase-2 (ALDH2), encoded by ALDH2*1/2*2, is closely associated with alcohol-related carcinogenesis. Recently, the contributions of alcohol dehydrogenase-2 (ADH2) polymorphism to alcoholism, esophageal cancer, and the flushing response have also been described. METHODS: To determine the effects of ALDH2 and ADH2 genotypes in genetically based cancer susceptibility, lymphocyte DNA samples from 668 Japanese alcoholic men more than 40 years of age (91 with and 577 without esophageal cancer) were genotyped and the results were expressed as odds ratios (ORs). This study also tested 82 of the alcoholics with esophageal cancer to determine whether cancer susceptibility is associated with patients' responses to simple questions about current or former flushing after drinking a glass of beer. RESULTS: The frequencies of ADH2*1/2*1 and ALDH2*1/2*2 were significantly higher in alcoholics with, than in those without, esophageal cancer (0.473 vs. 0.289 and 0.560 vs. 0.099, respectively). After adjustment for drinking and smoking, the analysis showed significantly increased cancer risk for alcoholics with either ADH2*1/2*I (OR = 2.03) or ALDH2*1/2*2 (OR = 12.76). For those having ADH2*1/2*1 combined with ALDH2*1/2*2, the esophageal cancer risk was enhanced in a multiplicative fashion (OR = 27.66). Responses to flushing questions showed that only 47.8% of the ALDH2*1/2*2 heterozygotes with ADH2*1/ 2*1, compared with 92.3% of those with ALDH2*1/2*2 and the ADH2*2 allele, reported current or former flushing. Genotyping showed that for alcoholics who reported ever flushing, the questionnaire was 71.4% correct in identifying ALDH2*1/2*2 and 87.9% correct in identifying ALDH2*1/2*1. CONCLUSION: Japanese alcoholics can be divided into cancer susceptibility groups on the basis of their combined ADH2 and ALDH2 genotypes. The flushing questionnaire can predict high risk ALDH2*1/2*2 fairly accurately in persons with ADH2*2 allele, but a reliable screening procedure for the highest risk gene combination (ADH2*1/2*1 and ALDH2*1/2*2) will require further investigation.     

中国玫瑰痤疮临床特征分析和诊断标准再探讨

【摘要】 目的 在分析玫瑰痤疮临床特征的基础上,提出中国玫瑰痤疮诊断标准并验证其敏感性和特异性。方法 纳入2017年12月至2018年7月于中南大学湘雅医院皮肤科门诊初诊的3 350例玫瑰痤疮患者,分析患者表型及临床特征,提出改良版中国玫瑰痤疮诊断标准。全国28个中心对该标准进行临床验证,纳入2 269例玫瑰痤疮和2 408例其他面部皮肤病患者,与2017版美国国家玫瑰痤疮专家委员会（NRSEC）制订的国际诊断标准比较,评估其敏感性和特异性。结果 3 350例玫瑰痤疮患者均存在面中部持续性红斑（100%）。在1 861例主要表现为面颊部红斑的患者中,1 850例（99.4%）在红斑之前或同时出现阵发性潮红;在1 489例主要表现为鼻或口周部红斑的患者中,仅52例（3.5%）发生阵发性潮红; 342例有肥大增生的患者均在肥大增生改变之前发生持续性红斑。基于以上临床特征提出,面颊部可周期性加重的伴有阵发性潮红的持续性红斑,可诊断为玫瑰痤疮;对于表现为鼻、口周部持续性红斑的患者,需合并至少1项选择性表型（阵发性潮红、毛细血管扩张、丘疹脓疱、肥大增生改变或眼部症状）才可诊断为玫瑰痤疮。全国多中心临床验证结果显示,改良版中国玫瑰痤疮诊断标准敏感性为99.6%,接近国际标准100%,特异性为91.9%,而国际标准为73.3%。结论 改良版中国玫瑰痤疮诊断标准具有良好的敏感性和特异性,也更有利于增生肥大型玫瑰痤疮的早期诊断。     

Beyond Liver and Culture: A Review of Theories and Research in Drinking among Chinese in North America

Low levels of alcohol consumption and drinking problems have been consistently found among the Chinese in North America and in other Chinese societies. Two theories of Chinese drinking have been popular in the literature. First, the physiological explanation attributes the light alcohol use among the Chinese to their high propensity to flush, which protects them from heavy drinking. Second, the cultural explanation suggests that Chinese cultural values emphasizing moderation and self-restraint discourage drinking to the point of drunkenness. A review of existing research shows that both explanations are not supported by adequate empirical research findings and are plagued with conceptual and methodological shortcomings. It is also noted that both theories cannot explain why some Chinese do become heavy or problem drinkers. It is suggested that we should look beyond physiological and cultural factors for a better understanding of contemporary Chinese drinking patterns.     

Clinical experiences with fetal heart rate monitoring of one thousand patients in labor

A series of 1,000 labor patients has been monitored electronically, and their records reviewed. Monitoring provides accurate objective evidence that fetal condition is good and that tolerance for labor is normal. With a normal record, the likelihood is strong that a normal baby will be delivered. Electronic fetal heart rate monitoring is unreliable in the prediction of babies born in poor condition. It does, however, provide an excellent screening test for selection of patients for scalp pH determinations. Electronic monitoring of fetal heart rate provides early evidence of fetal anoxia. It should be carried out in all patients receiving oxytocin during labor to avoid episodes of fetal anoxia. External monitoring methods currently available permit routine monitoring of all patients in labor. Whether monitoring all normal patients will improve fetal health and survival is still an unanswered question.     

羧氨基葡聚多糖钠生物胶体液无菌检查法的建立

目的:建立羧氨基葡聚多糖钠生物胶体液的无菌检查方法。方法:采用薄膜过滤法,对样品中金黄色葡萄球菌、大肠埃希菌、枯草芽孢杆菌、生孢梭菌、白色念珠菌、黑曲霉生长情况进行考察;对受抑制的试验菌(生孢梭菌、白色念珠菌)采用加热冲洗液的方法消除样品对其的抑制作用并进行验证。结果:羧氨基葡聚多糖钠生物胶体液对生孢梭菌的抑菌作用最强;采用加热至45℃的0.1%无菌蛋白胨水溶液500mL(每膜)冲洗可消除其抑菌作用,验证试验中试验菌生长良好。结论:所建立的方法可用于羧氨基葡聚多糖钠生物胶体液的无菌检查,且结果准确、可靠。     

玫瑰痤疮面部潮红与红斑新认识

【摘要】 持续型面中部红斑与潮红是玫瑰痤疮最常见的临床表现,但对其病理机制了解甚少,并缺乏高证据等级临床研究支持。本文结合国内外研究进展及临床经验,强调将面部潮红与红斑作为独立的临床表型进行研究探讨的必要性,认为精神压力、焦虑和/或抑郁可能是其发病的使动环节。由精神因素出发,探索玫瑰痤疮面部潮红及红斑相关神经炎症与皮肤免疫及血管的关系具有潜在的临床意义。