Publisher Correction: MiR-21 and miR-183 can simultaneously target SOCS6 and modulate growth and invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells.

Correction to: Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2015; 19 (17): 3208-3217. PMID: 26400524-published online on September 14, 2015. After publication, a reader brought to our attention a mistake in Figure 4. The journal found that Figure 3 was mistakenly inserted twice in the galley proof, resulting in the publication of the same figure for Figures 3 and 4. The publisher is, therefore, substituting Figure 4 with the correct figure provided at the time of submission as follows: There are amendments to this paper. The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. https://www.europeanreview.org/article/9429.

Vitamin D levels in the assessment of Crohn's disease activity and their relation to nutritional status and inflammation.

BACKGROUND: Crohn's disease (CD) is frequently associated with malnutrition, inflammation and a deficiency of vitamin D (VD) with the relationships between these symptoms being poorly defined. VD is a modulator of the immune system and is associated with the onset of CD and disease activity. The level of serum VD may have potential in the assessment of CD activity. This study aimed to evaluate the relationships between VD, nutritional status and inflammation, and to identify more accurate VD thresholds. METHODS: The study included 76 outpatients with CD diagnosed between October 2018 and October 2020 and 76 healthy volunteers. Levels of serum 25(OH)D and nutritional indicators, as well as biochemical and disease activity assessments, were conducted. RESULTS: Patients with CD and healthy participants were found to differ significantly in their 25(OH)D levels as well in levels of nutritional and inflammatory indicators. The optimal VD cut-off value was found to be 46.81 nmol/L for CD development and 35.32 nmol/L for disease activity. Levels of 25(OH)D were correlated with both nutritional status and inflammation. CONCLUSIONS: The VD level is likely to be a useful additional tool in the evaluation of CD patients and predicting the disease activity and clinical response. The VD level may relate both to the nutritional status and levels of inflammation in CD patients, and disease progression.

Surgical treatment of peri-implantitis with or without adjunctive graft material: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

This systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to compare the clinical effect of surgical treatment of peri-implantitis alone or in combination with graft material. Literature searches were conducted up to June 20, 2020. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the clinical effects of open flap debridement (OFD) alone and OFD with adjunctive graft materials for the treatment of peri-implantitis were included. Probing depth (PD) changes and marginal bone level (MBL) changes were assessed and expressed as the standardized mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence interval (CI). Subgroup analyses and sensitivity analyses were conducted. The search yielded 7419 articles, five of which were analysed quantitatively. The adjunctive use of graft materials in OFD did not provide additional PD improvements (SMD 0.46, 95% CI -0.13 to 1.05; P = 0.13), but did yield additional MBL improvements (SMD 1.04, 95% CI 0.71-1.37; P < 0.01). The degradability of the material, number of implants included per patient, and risk of bias did not have significant effects on the results, but the origin of the material may affect the PD improvements. Based on the available evidence, the adjunctive use of graft materials in the surgical treatment of peri-implantitis can significantly improve MBL changes but not PD changes.

Classification and treatment strategies for condylar fractures in children.

In this study, we aimed to describe a classification method (position and displacement (PD) classification) and the corresponding treatment strategies for condylar fractures in children, based on the anatomical position and displacement of the fractures. Moreover, we aimed to explore the effect of the treatment strategies for condylar fractures in children. Such fractures were classified into the following three types by PD classification: condylar head fracture (type A), mildly displaced condylar neck and base fracture (type B), and severely displaced condylar neck and base fracture (type C). According to this classification, we proposed the corresponding treatment strategy of closed treatment for types A and B fractures and open treatment for type C fractures. Eighty-four patients who had 123 condylar fractures (type A = 97, type B = 16, type C = 10) were included in this study. Type A fractures showed the restoration of normal function with favourable remodelling in the condyles. Types B and C fractures had good function and symmetry in the condylar angle and height of the condylar neck. The PD classification and corresponding treatment strategies may serve as a better option for the clinical treatment of condylar fractures in children.

Correlation between serum microRNA-136 levels and RAAS biochemical markers in patients with essential hypertension.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between microRNA-136 levels and biochemical markers of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) in patients with essential hypertension (EH). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The subjects were divided into EH group (n=110) and healthy control group (n=110). MicroRNA-136 expression, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activity, and expression of renin (RA) and angiotensin II (Ang II), and aldosterone (ALD) in peripheral blood serum were examined by quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR), equine glycylglycine glycine method, magnetic particle chemistry, and radioimmunoassay, respectively. In addition, the correlation between microRNA-136 and RAAS biochemical markers was estimated by Pearson linear regression. Meanwhile, ROC curve analysis was carried out to evaluate the potential of microRNA-136 for the diagnosis of EH. Follow-up data were recorded for assessing the influence of microRNA-136 on the prognosis in patients with EH. RESULTS: It was found that microRNA-136 expression was remarkably elevated in peripheral blood serum of patients with EH, and the expression levels of biochemical markers of RASS, such as ACE, RA, Ang II, and ALD were also found higher than those in healthy controls. Meanwhile, a significant positive correlation was confirmed between microRNA-136 level and ACE activity, RA, Ang II, as well as ALD levels in patients with EH. In addition, the area under the ROC curve (AUC) was calculated as 0.8662, with a sensitivity of 82.73% and a specificity of 80.91%. After two-months medication intervention, patients with EH expressing a high level of microRNA-136 had better therapeutic efficacy than those with a low level. CONCLUSIONS: In peripheral blood serum, microRNA-136 expression was dramatically negatively correlated with biochemical markers of RASS. High level of microRNA-136 predicts a good prognosis in patients with EH following medication. Therefore, microRNA-136 can be used as a potential biomarker for the diagnosis of EH.

Circ-RPL15/miR-146b-3p/VEGFA feedback loop is responsible for triggering proliferation and migration in glioma.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to elucidate the role of circ-RPL15 in the progression of glioma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Circ-RPL15 levels in glioma tissues and normal brain tissues were detected. Subcellular distribution of circ-RPL15 was examined. The binding between miR-146b-3p and circ-RPL15 was verified by Luciferase assay. Potential targets of miR-146b-3p were further determined. The influences of the circ-RPL15/miR-146b-3p/VEGFA feedback loop on proliferative and migratory abilities in T98G and U251 cells were detected by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and transwell assay, respectively. RESULTS: Circ-RPL15 and VEGFA were upregulated in glioma tissues than normal ones, whereas miR-146b-3p was downregulated. Circ-RPL15 was mainly distributed in the cytoplasm. The interaction in the circ-RPL15/miR-146b-3p/VEGFA feedback loop was indicated by Luciferase assay, and it markedly promoted proliferative and migratory abilities in glioma. CONCLUSIONS: Circ-RPL15 triggers proliferative and migratory potentials in glioma by competitively binding miR-146b-3p and thus upregulates VEGFA.

Circ-100338 induces angiogenesis after myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury by sponging miR-200a-3p.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of circular RNA circ-100338 on angiogenesis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) cells after hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) and its molecular mechanism. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated the role of circ-100338 in coronary artery endothelial cells using human coronary endothelial cells (HCAEC). Then, we verified the function of circ-100338 in HUVEC cells through cell counting kit-8 (CCK8), scratch test, Tube forming experiment, 5-Ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) staining. Dual-Luciferase reporter gene experiment and RNA Pull-Down experiments were used to detect the binding effect of circ-100338 and miR-200a-3p, miR-200a-3p and FUS. RESULTS: QRT-PCR results showed that the expression of circ-100338 decreased in HCAEC after H/R treatment. Overexpression of circ-100338 promotes angiogenesis. The Dual-Luciferase reporter gene assay and RNA pull-down assay consistently indicated the specific binding effect between circ-100338 and miR-200a-3p, miR-200a-3p and FUS, and circ-100338 promoted the angiogenesis phenotype in HUVEC cells. CONCLUSIONS: CircRNA-100338 may inhibit the function of miRNA-200a-3p by combining with miRNA-200a-3p, and then miRNA-200a-3p plays a role in regulating FUS, thereby regulating the state of angiogenesis.

The influence of different resuscitation solution on lactic acid accumulation after hemorrhagic shock: a network meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effect of various fluid resuscitation procedures after hemorrhagic shock on the lactic acid accumulation by network meta-analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A number of articles were obtained by searching the databases. Randomized control trials (RCT) were selected by two literature quality assessors; the extracted experimental data were then summarized to compare and analyze the effect of various kinds of infusion procedures at different time points on the concentration of lactic acid in the internal environment of rat models. RESULTS: 9 articles containing 25 independent reports were enrolled. Results revealed that the accumulation of lactic acid generated in the resuscitation using hydroxyethyl starch solution or gelofusine was significantly different from the one using Ringer solution, hypertonic saline or normal salt solution (p<0.05). Compared to the colloidal, the aqueous solution of pyruvate showed a slightly weaker effect in reducing the accumulation of lactic acid. The accumulation of lactic acid is severely affected by hypertonic saline, Ringer lactate solution, and balanced salt solution, i.e., the concentration of lactic acid is increasing with an augment of concentration or prolongation of treatment time. CONCLUSIONS: In terms of the management of lactic acid accumulation after hemorrhagic shock, the effect of colloidal solution was remarkably better than a crystalloid solution, and hypertonic saline and normal salt solution were not recommended as preferable drugs in the treatment of hemorrhagic shock.

Correlation between miR-1207-5p expression with steroid-induced necrosis of femoral head and VEGF expression.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the expression level of micro-ribonucleic acid-1207-5p (miR-1207-5p) in steroid-induced necrosis of femoral head (SNFH) and its correlation with SNFH. Meanwhile, we also aimed to analyze the relationship between miR-1207-5p expression and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the femoral head. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From May 2016 to December 2017, 60 patients aged (55.4±8.7) were selected in our hospital. All patients were diagnosed and confirmed as SNFH. Total RNA was extracted from the necrotic femoral head tissues and peripheral blood. Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) was used to detect the expression level of miR-1207-5p in tissues. At the same time, immunohistochemistry and Western blotting were adopted to detect VEGF expression in the bone tissue of patients with high or low expression of miR-1207-5p. 7 patients with femoral neck fracture aged (45.6±4.51) were enrolled in the control group. In the animal experiment, the rat SNFH model was established by intraperitoneal injection of lipopolysaccharide and methylprednisolone. Subsequently, the expression levels of miR-1207-5p and VEGF in necrotic femoral tissues were detected. Meanwhile, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining was applied to detect cell apoptosis in bone lacunae of miR-1207-5p high expression group and miR-1207-5p low expression group, respectively. RESULTS: The expression level of miR-1207-5p in the necrotic bone tissue of the SNFH group was significantly higher than that of the control group. The expression level of miR-1207-5p was inversely proportional to Harris Hip score (p<0.05). A higher expression of miR-1207-5p indicated a lower expression level of VEGF (p<0.05). The animal experimental results revealed that miR-1207-5p expression in the necrotic femoral head tissue of SNFH group was significantly higher than that of the control group. Furthermore, the number of apoptotic cells in bone lacunae was remarkably higher in miR-1207-5p high expression group (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: MiR-1207-5p is significantly up-regulated in necrotic femoral head tissue and serum of SNFH patients. Meanwhile, its expression level is inversely proportional to Harris Hip score of patients. The possible underlying mechanism may be related to the inhibitory effect of miR-1207-5p on VEGF.

Obesity, weight change, and mortality in older adults with metabolic abnormalities.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: It is expected that older adults with metabolic abnormalities may benefit from weight loss; however, data on this population are limited. Our study was to assess the effect of obesity and weight change on mortality risk in older adults with metabolic abnormalities. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 3649 Chinese older adults aged 60-90 years with metabolic abnormalities were included between 2000 and 2014. Weight change between two health checkup periods was calculated. During a median follow-up period of 37 months, 503 all-cause mortality and 235 cardiovascular disease mortality occurred. Death rate was the lowest in overweight participants and in the participants with weight stability. After adjustment for covariates, hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) of overweight participants for all-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality were 0.71 (0.59, 0.86) and 0.72 (0.55, 0.95), respectively, whereas obesity was not significantly associated with mortality risk. Furthermore, relative to weight stability, risks of mortality significantly increased with the increase in weight loss or weight gain, except small weight gain. These associations were unchanged when the participants were stratified by baseline covariates and even when several definitions of weight change were considered. CONCLUSIONS: Overweight was associated with less mortality risk, and obesity was not associated with mortality risk in older adults with metabolic abnormalities. Mortality risk increased with the increase in weight loss or weight gain, regardless of body weight levels at the baseline. These findings suggest that maintaining a stable weight may be the best choice in older adults with metabolic abnormalities.

Application of percutaneous epididymal sperm aspiration in azoospermia.

OBJECTIVE: The present study introduces the application of percutaneous epididymal sperm aspiration (PESA) for diagnosis of obstructive azoospermia and non-obstructive azoospermia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 96 cases diagnosed with azoospermia were selected, standard methods were used to measure testicular volume, chemiluminescence was used to test serum sexual hormone levels, and No. 7 butterfly needles were applied to puncture the head of the epididymis and aspirate epididymal luminal fluid. RESULTS: Among 96 cases of azoospermia, sperm was found in the epididymal luminal fluid of 49 cases, among which there were 41 cases with normal testicular volume and 8 cases with low volume. 39 cases had normal serum FSH levels, and 10 cases had increased serum FSH levels. There were 47 cases with no sperm, among which there were 26 cases with normal testicular volume and 21 cases with low volume. 29 cases had normal serum FSH levels, and 18 cases had increased levels. The success rate of puncture for patients with normal testicular volume was higher than that of patients with low volume, and the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05). The success rate of puncture for patients with normal serum FSH levels was higher than that of patients with increased levels, and the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: PESA is simple and efficient, and is a feasible method for diagnosis of azoospermia.

MiR-21 and miR-183 can simultaneously target SOCS6 and modulate growth and invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells.

OBJECTIVE: Both miR-21 and miR-183 are upregulated in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and are considered as oncomiR. However, their oncogenic roles are still not fully understood. This study aimed to explore the regulative role of miR-21 and miR-183 over suppressors of cytokine signaling 6 (SOCS6), a negative regulator of cytokine receptor signaling. MATERIALS AND METHODS: qRT-PCR analysis was performed to assess miR-21 and miR-183 expression in tumor tissues obtained from HCC patients and in HCC cell lines HepG2 and Hep3B. Their regulation over SOCS6 is verified using dual luciferase assay and Western blot analysis. The function of miR-21/miR-183-SOCS6 axis in cell growth, invasion and apoptosis was studied. RESULTS: MiR-21 and miR-183 expression in HCC tissues than in adjacent normal tissues. Knockdown of miR-21 and miR-183 in HepG2 and Hep3B cells could decrease cell viability, increase cell apoptosis and decrease cell invasion. Based on the dual luciferase assay and Western blot analysis, we confirmed that both miR-21 and miR-183 can simultaneously target SOCS6 and modulate its expression at protein level. Overexpression of SOCS6 without 3'UTR could significantly lower cell growth rate and invasion capability, but increase relative caspase 3/7 activity and the ratio of apoptotic cells. However, these effects could not be blocked by miR-21 or miR-183 mimics. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed a novel miR-21/miR-183-SOCS6 axis that might play an important role in modulating cell growth and invasion of HCC cells.

Serum microRNA-210 as a potential noninvasive biomarker for the diagnosis and prognosis of glioma.

BACKGROUND: MicroRNA-210 (miR-210) is an oncogenic miRNA previously associated with prognosis in human gliomas, an incurable tumour type of the central nervous system. Here miR-210 was investigated as a potential serum biomarker in the diagnosis and prognosis of glioma. METHODS: Serum was immediately prepared from blood samples collected from patients with glioma grades I-IV at primary diagnosis (n=136) and healthy controls (n=50) from February 2007 to March 2014 in the Department of Neurosurgery of the First Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical College (Wuhu, China). Total RNA was isolated from serum. cDNA was synthesised with primers specific for miR-210 and miR-16-1 (internal control), and quantitative real-time RT-PCR was performed. Results were statistically analysed to determine the role of miR-210 in the diagnosis and prognosis of human glioma patients. RESULTS: An approximately seven-fold increase in miR-210 expression was detected in serum samples from glioblastoma patients relative to healthy controls. A threshold expression value (2.259) was chosen from receiver operator characteristic curves (ROC), and the low and high miR-210 expression groups were analysed by multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression and Kaplan-Meier analyses. Results revealed an association of high serum miR-210 expression with tumour grade and poor patient outcome (P-values <0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Serum miR-210 is a promising diagnostic and prognostic biomarker that can be detected in the peripheral blood of patients with glioma.

The PI3K/Akt signalling pathway may play an internal role related to abnormal condylar growth: a preliminary study.

Developmental deformity of the mandible is one of the most common craniofacial malformations and is closely related to abnormal condylar growth. In this study, the role of PI3K/Akt signalling in the regulation of chondrocyte proliferation and hypertrophic differentiation in the condylar cartilage was studied. Immunohistochemical staining was used to investigate the expression of PI3K and p-Akt in the rat condyle cartilage. Rat condylar chondrocytes were cultured for the investigation of chondrocyte proliferation and hypertrophic differentiation when PI3K/Akt was inhibited. In addition, organ culture of the rat mandibular condyle was performed to evaluate the condyle cartilage growth while PI3K/Akt was inhibited. PI3K-positive cells and p-Akt-positive cells showing cytoplasmic staining were found to be present in the condylar cartilage. Reduced cell proliferation was observed in the culture of rat condylar chondrocytes when PI3K/Akt was inhibited; however, the hypertrophic differentiation level was increased. The proliferative zone thickness of condylar cartilage in the experimental group was less than that in the control group (P=0.00185), but the hypertrophic zone was greater than that in the control group (P=0.01048). PI3K/Akt signalling exerts opposite influences on chondrocyte proliferation and hypertrophic differentiation of the condylar cartilage, and these data suggest that PI3K/Akt is a potential intracellular regulation signal pathway in condylar cartilage development.

Clinical characteristics and treatment of superolateral dislocation of the mandibular condyle.

The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate the clinical characteristics of superolateral dislocation of the mandibular condyle, and to review our experience of its treatment. Thirteen patients were included in this study. Demographic information and details of their original injury were analyzed by descriptive statistics and the treatment methods were summarized. These patients could be classified into three types: (1) unilateral dislocation with isolated condylar fracture (n=3); (2) unilateral dislocation with associated condylar fracture and other mandibular fracture (n=7); (3) bilateral dislocation with associated condylar fracture and other mandibular fracture (n=3). Treatment involved three main aspects: (1) relief of the condylar dislocation by manual manipulation or open reduction; (2) reduction of the medial condylar fragment and fixation with screws, or removal of the fragment if less than 50% of the condylar width; however, in one case with a tiny condylar fragment, this was left in situ; (3) management of the other associated mandibular fractures by open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF). Follow-up ranged from 6 to 20 months (average 13.69 months). Satisfactory functional outcomes were achieved in these cases. The results of this study indicate that superolateral dislocation of the condyle assumes many forms, and the treatment depends on the presence of fractures.

First Report of Ageratum yellow vein China virus Infecting Zinnia elegans in Vietnam.

Whitefly-transmitted geminiviruses belong to the Geminiviridae family, which includes a group of plant DNA viruses that occurs in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide and caused severe leaf curl diseases on many crops. In July 2011, symptoms of mild yellowing and curling of leaves were observed on Zinnia elegans in Hue City, Vietnam. To identify possible begomoviruses, two samples with typical symptoms (Z1 and Z2) were collected and total DNA was extracted using PlantGen DNA Kit (CoWin Biotech Co., China). Using begomovirus-specific degenerate primer pair AV494 and AC1048 to amply geminivirus capsid protein gene (3), a 586-bp DNA fragment was amplified from both collected samples. The PCR products from Z1 and Z2 were cloned and sequenced. The partial sequences from two isolates had 96.8% similarity to each other and most closely related to Ageratum yellow vein China virus (AYVCNV) (98% identity to GenBank Accession Nos. AM940137.1 and AJ849916.1). Using two degenerate primer pairs bego1 (5'-ACMGGCCYATGWAYMGGAAG-3')/bego6 (5'-ACNGGDAARACRATGTGGGC-3') and bego2 (5'-CTTDATRTTBTCRTCCATCC-3')/bego3 (5'-CCWGGATTGCANARSAMGAT-3') to amplify full-length viral genome from Z1 (1). The complete DNA-A sequence from Z1 were determined to be 2,741 nucleotides (JX911332), showed high levels of sequence identity (89% [JN809812] to 98% [AJ849916.1 and AJ558120]) with AYVCNV and shared 98% nucleotide sequence identity with AYVCNV-G68 (AJ849916.1) and AYVCNV-G13 (AJ558120). No DNA-B component nor DNA-ß could be detected using primers described previously (4). Zinnia leaf curl virus, Ageratum enation virus, Tobacco leaf curl virus, and Alternanthera yellow vein virus have been reported to be associated with Zinnia leaf curl disease (2). To our knowledge, this is the first report of AYVCNV infecting Z. elegans. AYVCNV was first reported in A. conyzoides on Hainan Island, China, and could infect L. esculentum (Solanaceae), A. conyzoides (Asteraceae), or tobacco (Solanaceae). Our results further corroborate that AYVCNV can infect Asteraceae plants. Therefore, this virus may pose a serious threat to many plants. References: (1) L. Lin et al. Plant Prot. 37:44, 2011. (2) P. Naveen et al. J. Biotechnol. Bioinform. 2:6, 2012. (3) S. D. Wyatt et al. Phytopathology 86:1288, 1996. (4) X. P. Zhou et al. J. Gen. Virol. 84:237, 2003.

The role of the disc in the healing of displaced subcondylar fracture in the growing period: an experimental study in rats.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of the disc in the healing of condylar fractures in the growing period. 40 growing and adult male Wistar rats were randomized into 4 equal groups: growing rats suffering condylar fracture with disc damage; growing rats suffering condylar fracture without disc damage; adult rats suffering condylar fracture with disc damage; adult rats suffering condylar fracture without disc damage. 3 months after the operation all animals were killed and the outcomes were compared using mandible deviation measure, body weight evaluation and histological observation. In growing rats, when the disc was undamaged maintaining its relation to the condyle head, even though the condylar fractured fragment was displaced, the condyle healed and recovered almost to normality in 3 months. In the same condyle fracture form, once the disc was damaged and lost the normal relation with the condyle head, the outcome was unfavourable. The occurrence of damage to the disc and its attachment to the condyle head are important factors in the healing of condyle fractures in the growing period.

Prevalence and sociodemographic correlates of depression in an elderly population living with family members in Beijing, China.

BACKGROUND: To date, there has been no large-scale survey of geriatric depression (GD) involving both rural and urban areas in China using standardized assessment tools and diagnostic criteria. This study aimed to determine the 12-month and lifetime prevalence rates of GD and sociodemographic correlates in urban and rural regions of Beijing, China.MethodA total of 1601 elderly patients (aged 60 years) were randomly selected and interviewed in Beijing using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI 1.0). Basic sociodemographic and clinical data were also collected during the interviews. RESULTS: The overall 12-month prevalence of GD was 4.33%, and the 12-month prevalence rates for men and women were 2.65% and 5.83% respectively. The overall lifetime prevalence of GD was 7.83%, and lifetime prevalence rates for men and women were 4.65% and 10.66% respectively. Female sex, lower educational level, monthly income, rural abode, and the presence of one or more major medical conditions were associated with increased risk of GD. Of the GD subjects interviewed, 25.2% were receiving some type of treatment, with only 4.7% preferring to seek treatment from mental health professionals. CONCLUSIONS: Although still relatively low by international standards, there is an increasing trend in the prevalence of GD in China. The low percentage of subjects treated for GD is a major public health concern that should be addressed urgently.

In vitro effects of nitric oxide synthase inhibitor L-NAME on oral squamous cell carcinoma: a preliminary study.

It has been reported that increased nitric oxide synthase (NOS) expression and nitric oxide (NO) production may play an important role in cancer biology. The aim of this study was to determine the roles of NO in tumour cellular proliferation and DNA or RNA synthesis, and to investigate the therapeutic potential of NOS inhibitors in oral cancer. After exposure to different concentrations of the NOS inhibitor N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), the growth of TSCCa cells, established from a patient with squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue, was evaluated using MTT and crystal violet assay. DNA or RNA synthesis, inducible/endothelial NOS (iNOS/eNOS) mRNA expression and NO production were then examined to determine the possible mechanisms of inhibitory effects of L-NAME on TSCCa cells. L-NAME had an inhibitory effect on TSCCa cell growth in both a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Acridine orange staining revealed that DNA and/or RNA synthesis of TSCCa cells was reduced after treatment with L-NAME. An in situ hybridisation (ISH) study showed clearly that L-NAME down-regulated eNOS and iNOS mRNA expression and this was followed by a decrease in NO production. It is postulated that the NOS/NO pathway may be implicated in cellular proliferation and DNA or RNA synthesis of cancer cells, apart from promoting tumour angiogenesis. Further studies have provided with new insight into the mechanisms by which NOS/NO takes part in oral carcinogenesis, and possible therapeutic interventions based on the NOS/NO pathway for tumour progression control.