Maternal exposure to Di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) aggravate gestational diabetes mellitus via FoxM1 suppression by pSTAT1 signalling.

The study focused on the toxicological effect of Di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) on the expression of Phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (pSTAT1) -regulated Forkhead box protein M1 (FoxM1), which might provide a new understanding of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) development and a potential target for treatment. Streptozotocin (STZ) (40 mg/kg) was introduced in maternal rats by intraperitoneal injection on gestation day 0 (GD 0) in the STZ and STZ + DBP groups. DBP was introduced in maternal rats by oral feeding in the STZ + DBP group over the following 3 days (750 mg/kg/day). The changes in fasting blood glucose level in rats were detected on GD 1 and GD 5. The insulin levels in maternal rats and PIBCs were measured on GD 18. The Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) test was performed on GD 18 to check the stability of the GDM model. The primary islet ß cells (PIBCs) were established for in vitro experiments. We examined the FoxM1 and pSTAT1 expression in pancreas by immunohistochemistry. Real-time PCR and Western blot were used to detect the pSTAR1 and FoxM1 protein and mRNA gene expression levels in PIBCs. Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) and flow cytometric analysis was used to test the viability and apoptosis of cells. The results showed that the STZ + DBP group had higher glucose and lower insulin secretion levels than the other groups by both fasting test and OGTT. FoxM1 was significantly suppressed while pSTAT1 was highly expressed after DBP exposure. FoxM1 could be regulated by pSTAT1. DBP can influence the progression of GDM through its toxicological effect, which significantly increases the expression of pSTAT1 and suppresses FoxM1, causing a decline in ß cell viability.

[Long-term efficacy of tubularized peritoneal free grafts as ureteral mucosal substitutes in dogs].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the long-term efficacy of ureteral reconstruction with tubularized peritoneal free grafts for the treatment of avulsion of ureteral mucosa in animal models. METHODS: The model of avulsion of ureteral mucosa was established in 12 adult dogs. Then they were divided into Group A (n = 6, length of avulsed mucosa at 4 cm) and Group B (n = 6, length of avulsed mucosa at 6 cm). And the tubularized peritoneal free grafts and ureteral stents were implanted into the injured ureters. The curative effect was observed by intravenous urethrogram (IVU) and histological examination at Week 24 post-operation. RESULTS: Severe stenosis was observed by IVU in 1 dogs in Groups A and B respectively. In the remaining 10 dogs, IVU showed normal size and morphology of kidneys. There was no hydronephrosis. And no obvious stricture of ureteral part was observed for mucosa substitutes made of peritoneal free grafts. In all 10 dogs without stenosis of both groups, peritoneal membrane was replaced by integrated transitional epithelium. And there was no obvious stricture. Collagen fibers were arranged parallel to mucosal surface. CONCLUSION: For avulsion of ureteral mucosa under 6 cm, reconstruction with tubularized peritoneal free grafts as mucosa substitutes is an effective method. And its long-term efficacy is satisfactory.

[Cystic lymphangioma of the spermatic cord in old man: a case report and review of the literature].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical and pathological features, diagnosis and treatment of cystic lymphangioma of the spermatic cord. METHODS: One case of cystic lymphangioma of the spermatic cord in a 71-year-old patient was retrospectively analyzed and the relevant literature was reviewed. RESULTS: The patient, presented with spermatic cord hydrocele, was treated by local excision of the tumor, which was pathologically diagnosed as cystic lymphangioma. No relapse was found during a 3-month follow-up after the operation. CONCLUSION: Lymphangioma of the spermatic cord is a benign tumor. Preoperation ultrasonography and CT are important for determining the location and nature of lymphangioma. Surgical excision is an effective option for the treatment of cystic lymphangioma of the spermatic cord.

A nonsense mutation in the Xeroderma pigmentosum complementation group F (XPF) gene is associated with gastric carcinogenesis.

XPF/ERCC1 endonuclease is required for DNA lesion repair. To assess effects of a C2169A nonsense mutation in XPF at position 2169 in gastric cancer tissues and cell lines, genomic DNA was extracted from blood samples of 488 cancer patients and 64 gastric tumors. The mutation was mapped using a TaqMan MGB probe. In addition, gastric cancer cell lines were transfected with mutated XPF to explore XPF/ERCC1 interaction, XPF degradation, and DNA repair by a comet assay. The C2169A mutation was not detected in 488 samples of blood genomic DNA, yet was found in 32 of 64 gastric cancer tissue samples (50.0%), resulting in a 194C-terminal amino acid loss in XPF protein and lower expression. Laser micro-dissection confirmed that this point mutation was not present in surrounding normal tissues from the same patients. The truncated form of XPF (tXPF) impaired interaction with ERCC1, was rapidly degraded via ubiquitination, and resulted in reduced DNA repair. In gastric cancers, the mutation was monoallelic, indicating that XPF is a haplo-insufficient DNA repair gene. As the C2169A mutation is closely associated with gastric carcinogenesis in the Chinese population, our findings shine light on it as a therapeutic target for early diagnosis and treatment of gastric cancer.