[The expression of LINC00052 during glycidyl methacrylate-induced malignant transformation of 16HBE cells].

Objective: To investigate the expression and role of LINC00052 during glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) -induced malignant transformation of 16HBE cells. Methods: Human bronchial epithelial (16HBE) cells were divided into GMA transformation group and corresponding DMSO control group, and the 10th, 20th and 30th generation cells of each group were collected LncRNA microarrays were used to analysis expression of LINC00052 in different stage of malignant transformation. Bioinformatics analysis was applied and the relative expression of LINC00052 and its potentially target genes was detected by real-time quantification PCR (qPCR) . Results: The results of microarray analysis showed that LINC00052 was up-regulated by 1.32-fold, down-regulated by 1.64-fold and down-regulated by 4.92-fold in the malignant transformation early (P10) , middle term (P20) and late (P30) , respectively, The results of qPCR showed that compared with the DMSO control group, the expression of LINC00052 was up-regulated by 1.55 times, down-regulated by 1.20 times and down-regulated by 2.35 times in P10, P20 and P30, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05) . There was a statistically significant difference in the relative expression of NTRK3 between the GMA transformation group of P10 and P30 generations with the corresponding DMSO control group (P<0.05) . Conclusion: LINC00052 is highly expressed in early time of GMA-induced malignant transformation of 16HBE, and down-regulated in the middle and last stage of malignant transformation and may play a protective role in GMA-induced malignant transformation of 16HBE by influencing the expression of its target gene NTRK3.

[Correlation between FOXO3 gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to occupational noise-induced deafness].

Objective: To investigate the association between the single nucleotide polymorphisms of rs12212067 in FOXO3 gene and the susceptibility to occupational noise-induced deafness in a Chinese Han population. Methods: A total of 1 066 cases of noise exposure workers from a large chemical fiber factory in Jiangsu Province were selected as the study subjects. All subjects' basic data and field exposure data were collected through questionnaires and occupational health surveys. The subjects were divided into case group (531 persons, double ear high frequency average hearing threshold>25 dB) and control group (535 persons, double ear high frequency average hearing threshold≤25 dB) according to their results of pure tone hearing test .2ml fasting venous blood was collected for DNA extraction and genotyping was performed by TaqMan-PCR technique. Results: Genotyping results suggested that the GT+GG genotype is a risk factor for occupational noise-induced deafness, with an adjusted OR 95% confidence interval of 2.044 (1.51-2.78) . After the noise exposure intensity was stratified, the adjusted OR values and the 95% confidence intervals of noise intensity ≤85, 85-92 and>92 dB respectively 2.43 (1.52-3.90) , 2.17 (1.03-4.59) and 1.74 (1.07-2.83) . Conclusion: GT-GG genotype in rs12212067 of FOXO3 gene may be a risk factor for occupational noise-induced deafness.

Parametrically Tunable Soliton-Induced Resonant Radiation by Three-Wave Mixing.

We show that a temporal soliton can induce resonant radiation by three-wave mixing nonlinearities. This constitutes a new class of resonant radiation whose spectral positions are parametrically tunable. The experimental verification is done in a periodically poled lithium niobate crystal, where a femtosecond near-IR soliton is excited and resonant radiation waves are observed exactly at the calculated soliton phase-matching wavelengths via the sum- and difference-frequency generation nonlinearities. This extends the supercontinuum bandwidth well into the mid IR to span 550-5000 nm, and the mid-IR edge is parametrically tunable over 1000 nm by changing the three-wave mixing phase-matching condition. The results are important for the bright and broadband supercontinuum generation and for the frequency comb generation in quadratic nonlinear microresonators.

The C-terminal cysteine of turbot Scophthalmus maximus translationally controlled tumour protein plays a key role in antioxidation and growth-promoting functions.

The translationally controlled tumour protein (TCTP) of turbot Scophthalmus maximus (SmTCTP) contains only one cysteine (Cys¹7°) at the C-terminal end. The biological role of this C-terminal Cys¹7° in the antioxidation and growth-promoting functions of SmTCTP was examined by site-directed mutation of C170A (Cys¹7° →Ala¹7°). It was found that C170A mutation not only obviously decreased the antioxidation capacity of the mutant-smtctp-transformed bacteria exposed to 0·22 mM hydrogen peroxide, but also significantly interrupted the normal growth and survival of the mutant-smtctp-transformed bacteria and flounder Paralichthys olivaceus gill (FG) cells, indicating a key role played by Cys¹7° in the antioxidation and growth-promoting functions of SmTCTP. This study also suggested that the self-dimerization or dimerization with other interacting proteins is critical to the growth-promoting function of SmTCTP.

Etiology and outcome of patients presenting for poisoning to the emergency department in Taiwan: a prospective study.

Poisoning is one of the most common reasons for visiting the emergency department in many countries, and the pattern varies from countries to countries and time to time. To compare the etiology and outcome of poisoning patients in different gender and age groups, we conducted a prospective study at the emergency departments of two medical centers in southern Taiwan between January 2001 and December 2002. All cases of poisoning, excluding patients diagnosed as cases of alcohol or food poisoning, were included, and relevant information was collected. There were 1512 cases of poisoning observed with a male to female ratio of 1:1.2 (684/828). Overall, drugs (49.9%) were the main agents involved, and a suicidal attempt (66.1%) was the predominant etiology. A total of 63 fatalities (4.2%) were observed and pesticides, especially paraquat, resulted in most fatalities. Patients aged 19-30 years constituted the most cases, and significant differences in exposure agents, causes, and fatality rates were found among different age and gender groups. The results are compatible with the trend reported by other Asian countries. This study also shows important differences existing in poisoning patients of different age and gender groups. Therefore, different poisoning-prevention strategies should be applied to different groups.

The pharmacological effect of epinephrine administration via laryngeal mask airway in a porcine model of asphyxial cardiac arrest.

BACKGROUND: Earlier studies have shown that the laryngeal mask airway (LMA) is an effective alternative method for the administration of drugs. The pharmacological effect of drug administration via the LMA in cardiac arrest is still unknown. This study was designed to compare the effect of epinephrine administration tracheally or through the LMA in an asphyxial resuscitated porcine model. METHODS: Asphyxial cardiac arrest was initiated in 24 pigs, which remained untreated for 2 minutes. After 1 minute of basic life support cardiopulmonary resuscitation, the pigs were assigned to receive epinephrine (50 microg/kg) administration via one of three routes, either tracheally (group ET), from the upper end of the LMA (group LMA), or from a catheter inserted through the LMA into the trachea (group LMAC). Plasma epinephrine (PE) levels were taken before asphyxia and every 2 minutes after cardiac arrest was introduced. RESULTS: All animals had significant elevation of PE levels after the administration of epinephrine. The peak PE level was highest for group LMAC and lowest for group LMA. There were no significant differences between groups LMAC and ET. CONCLUSION: Drug administration from a catheter through the LMA into the trachea achieved comparable PE levels to those achieved by the tracheal route. Epinephrine administered via the LMA catheter may be an acceptable alternative to treat asphyxial cardiac arrest.

Detection of oesophageal intubations using cuff pressures in a pig trachea oesophagus model.

BACKGROUND: The cuff pressures may be different in oesophageal and tracheal intubations. We conducted a study to evaluate if cuff pressures of endotracheal tubes (ETTs) could provide information to distinguish tracheal or oesophageal intubations in a pig trachea-oesophagus model. METHODS: In each preparation of pig trachea-oesophagus model, the trachea and the oesophagus were intubated separately with a cuffed ETT, and the cuff pressures were measured after each 1 ml increment of air (1-10 ml) during inflation. The cuff pressures and the pressure-volume relationships in both intubations were compared. RESULTS: The cuff pressures of oesophageal intubations were significantly higher than those of tracheal intubations in all comparisons from 1 to 10 ml of cuff volumes (P < 0.05). The cuff pressure-volume curve was steeper in the oesophageal intubation group, and the difference between the two curves was the largest when the cuff volume was 4-5 ml. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that the cuff pressures may be useful in detecting oesophageal intubations. This method is faster than other confirmation measures as it can detect inadvertent oesophageal intubations at the time of inflating the cuffs.

Higher risk for thyroid diseases in physicians than in the general population: a Taiwan nationwide population-based secondary analysis study.

BACKGROUND: Physicians have high work stress, responsibility for night shifts and chances of exposure to medical radiation, which may increase the risk for thyroid diseases. AIM: We conducted this study to assess the risk for thyroid diseases in physicians, which remain unclear. DESIGN: We used a secondary analysis of the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database for this study. METHODS: After excluding thyroid diseases occurring before 2006 and residents, physicians and general population were identified by matching with age and sex in 2009 in a 1:2 ratio. The risk for thyroid diseases was compared between the physicians and general population and among physicians by tracing their medical histories between 2006 and 2012. RESULTS: In total, 28,649 physicians and 57,298 general population were identified. Physicians had a higher risk for overall thyroid diseases than the general population [odds ratio (OR): 1.27; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.10-1.47], including individual thyroid disease: thyroid cancer (OR: 1.89; 95% CI: 1.22-2.95), hypothyroidism (OR: 1.64; 95% CI: 1.23-2.18) and thyroiditis (OR: 1.48; 95% CI: 1.00-2.19). CONCLUSIONS: We showed that physicians had a significantly higher risk for thyroid diseases than the general population. This reminds us to pay more attention to thyroid diseases in physicians. Further studies about the underlying mechanisms are warranted.

Cancer risks in a population with prolonged low dose-rate gamma-radiation exposure in radiocontaminated buildings, 1983-2002.

PURPOSE: To assess cancer risks in a population that received prolonged low dose-rate gamma-irradiation for about 10 years as a result of occupying buildings containing 60Co-contaminated steel in Taiwan. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The cancer risks were compared with those populations with the same temporal and geographic characteristics in Taiwan by standardized incidence ratios (SIR), adjusted for age and gender. The association of cancer risks with excess cumulative exposure was further evaluated for their relative risks by the Poisson multiple regression analysis. RESULT: A total of 7271 people were registered as the exposed population, with 101,560 person-years at risk. The average excess cumulative exposure was approximately 47.8 mSv (range < 1 - 2,363 mSv). A total of 141 exposed subjects with various cancers were observed, while 95 developed leukemia or solid cancers after more than 2 or 10 years initial residence in contaminated buildings respectively. The SIR were significantly higher for all leukemia except chronic lymphocytic leukemia (n = 6, SIR = 3.6, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.2 - 7.4) in men, and marginally significant for thyroid cancers (n = 6, SIR = 2.6, 95% CI 1.0 - 5.7) in women. On the other hand, all cancers combined, all solid cancers combined were shown to exhibit significant exposure-dependent increased risks in individuals with the initial exposure before the age of 30, but not beyond this age. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that prolonged low dose-rate radiation exposure appeared to increase risks of developing certain cancers in specific subgroups of this population in Taiwan.

Prognostic significance of elevated hemostatic markers in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine whether the elevated levels of hemostatic markers in the early phase of myocardial infarction may serve as risk factors for subsequent cardiac mortality. BACKGROUND: Increased plasma hemostatic markers were noted in acute myocardial infarction, indicating that the blood coagulation system is highly activated in those patients. However, there are few clinical data concerning the association between the elevated hemostatic markers and survival in patients with myocardial infarction. METHODS: Blood samples were obtained from 64 patients (mean age 67 +/- 11 years; 49 male) with acute myocardial infarction within 12 h after the onset of symptoms and before the initiation of any antithrombotic treatment. We measured plasma concentrations of fibrinopeptide A (FPA), prothrombin fragment 1+2 (F1+2) and thrombin-antithrombin complex (TAT) using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method, and examined the associations between the level of these markers and survival with Cox proportional hazards models. RESULTS: The follow-up time was 27 +/- 17 months, and 19 patients died of cardiac causes during the follow-up. Univariate survival analysis identified Killip class IV (hazard ratio 4.86; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.55-15.19), left ventricular ejection fraction (hazard ratio 0.94; 95% CI 0.90-0.99), FPA (hazard ratio 1.54; 95% CI 1.13-2.10), F1+2 (hazard ratio 2.03; 95% CI 1.17-3.53) and TAT (hazard ratio 1.88; 95% CI 1.27-2.79) as significant factors associated with cardiac mortality. In multivariate analyses, only FPA level (hazard ratio 1.84; 95% CI 1.03-3.30) and left ventricular ejection fraction (hazard ratio 0.93; 95% CI 0.88-0.98) were independent predictors of cardiac mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated FPA in the early phase of myocardial infarction identifies patients with increased risk for subsequent cardiac death. This association appears to be independent of residual left ventricular function after infarction.

RANTES promoter polymorphism as a genetic risk factor for rheumatoid arthritis in the Chinese.

OBJECTIVES: There is increasing evidence suggesting a role of RANTES in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and we evaluated the possible effect of RANTES gene on the susceptibility to RA in Chinese patients. METHODS: We examined the polymorphisms at the promoter positions -28 and -403 of this gene in 151 Chinese RA patients and 149 ethnically matched healthy controls. RESULTS: The genotypic frequencies in this study were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. RA patients had significantly higher frequencies of the A allele (36.1% vs. 27.5%, p = 0.024) and A/A genotype (odds ratio [OR] = 3.3, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.4-7.9, p = 0.005) at the promoter -403 position. Differences in allele and genotype frequencies at the promoter -28 position between patients and controls were not statistically significant (for G allele, p = 0.103 and for genotype, p = 0.106). RA patients also had a significantly higher frequency of the -28 C/G with -403 A/A compound genotype (OR = 4.6, 95% CI = 1.5-14.5, p = 0.005), and a higher frequency of the -28 G/-403 A haplotype with marginal statistical significance (OR = 1.7, 95% CI = 1.0-3.1, p = 0.059). CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that polymorphism in the promoter region of RANTES gene is associated with the susceptibility to RA in the Chinese population.

Klebsiella pneumoniae fascial space infections of the head and neck in Taiwan: emphasis on diabetic patients and repetitive infections.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the epidemiological features, clinical characteristics, treatment, and outcome of head and neck infections caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae. METHODS: We reviewed records of four common aerobic pathogens isolated by the microbiological laboratory of a teaching hospital in Taiwan from July 1995 to December 1999. Patients aged 14 or older with community-acquired fascial space infections of head and neck were identified by review of medical records and included in the study. RESULTS: A total of 100 cases were identified, and K. pneumoniae was the most common pathogen of monomicrobial infections (48%), followed by viridans streptococci (15%). Polymicrobial infections were noted in 35 cases. In comparison with patients with infections not caused by K. pneumoniae, those with monomicrobial K. pneumoniae infections were older (P = 0.04) and had a higher prevalence of diabetes mellitus (P < 0.001), a longer duration of antimicrobial therapy (P = 0.007), a longer hospital stay (P = 0.001), and more repetitive infections (P = 0.001). All but one of K. pneumoniae isolates were susceptible to first generation cephalosporins and aminoglycosides. CONCLUSIONS: K. pneumoniae is an important endemic pathogen of fascial space infections of head and neck in Taiwan, especially among diabetics. Physicians should be aware of the tendency of this organism to cause repetitive infection.

Indicators of haemothorax in patients with spontaneous pneumothorax.

OBJECTIVES: To identify indicators and possible risk factors of haemothorax in patients with spontaneous pneumothorax. METHODS: All patients presenting to the emergency department of Chi-Mei Foundation Medical Center, Tainan, Taiwan with primary spontaneous pneumothorax between 1 January 1997 and 31 December 2002 were screened for inclusion in the present study. Of the 211 patients who qualified, eight had spontaneous haemopneumothorax (SHP) (3.79%). The clinical data and demographic characteristics of these patients were similar to those of patients with spontaneous pneumothorax without haemothorax (SP). RESULTS: All eight SHP patients were thin and young men (mean age 24 years and mean weight 56.1 kg). Seven were smokers. The patients with SHP were taller that the patients with SP (177.4 cm v 170.3 cm, respectively; p < 0.01), and tended to have a lower body mass index (BMI) (17.9 kg/m2 v 19.6 kg/m2, respectively; p = 0.06) and higher heart rate (101.0 v 88.0 beats/min, respectively; p = 0.09). Clinically, patients with SHP were more likely to have dyspnoea compared with SP patients (62.5% v 26.6%, respectively; p = 0.04) and lower levels of haemoglobin (12.8 v 14.7 g/dl, respectively; p = 0.01) and haematocrit (38.1% v 44.1%, respectively; p < 0.01). Chest x rays revealed pleural effusion in all patients with SHP but in none with SP. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with SHP are taller, with lower levels of haemoglobin and haematocrit, and are more likely to have dyspnoea than patients without haemothorax. The chest x ray finding of pneumothorax with an ipsilateral air-fluid level is a strong indicator of SHP.

Functional mutation in the promoter region of thrombomodulin gene in relation to carotid atherosclerosis.

Thrombomodulin is an important endothelial anticoagulant protein that decreases thrombin activity and activates protein C. Our recent study has shown that the G-33A promoter mutation of thrombomodulin gene is associated with coronary artery disease. This study was conducted to determine whether the G-33A mutation in the promoter region of thrombomodulin gene is a genetic risk factor for ischemic stroke or carotid atherosclerosis. The functional significance of this mutation was also evaluated. We recruited 333 patients (mean age 64 years, 59% male) with ischemic stroke and 257 age- and sex-matched controls. In all study participants, carotid atherosclerosis was assessed by Duplex scanning, and thrombomodulin G-33A promoter mutation was detected by single-strand conformation polymorphism. Luciferase reporter gene assay was used to assess the influence of this mutation on thrombomodulin promoter activity. There was no significant difference in the thrombomodulin G-33A mutation frequency (GA+AA genotypes) between the stroke and the control groups (18.3 vs. 24. 1%, P=0.105). The G-33A mutation frequency was also similar between the study participants with and without carotid atherosclerosis (22.2 vs. 19.8%, P=0.550). When only younger subjects (age

G-33A mutation in the promoter region of thrombomodulin gene and its association with coronary artery disease and plasma soluble thrombomodulin levels.

Thrombomodulin is an endothelial glycoprotein that decreases thrombin activity and activates protein C. A recent study has shown that G-33A promoter mutation of the thrombomodulin gene occurs particularly in Asians. In this study, we analyzed the distribution of G-33A mutation in the promoter region of the thrombomodulin gene in the Chinese population and determined whether the mutation might be a risk for coronary artery disease (CAD). In addition, the influence of this mutation on plasma soluble thrombomodulin levels in patients with CAD was also examined. We studied 320 consecutive patients (mean age 63 years; 73% men) with CAD and 200 age- and sex-matched control subjects. Screening for thrombomodulin G-33A promoter mutation was conducted using polymerase chain reaction, single-strand conformation polymorphism, and direct deoxyribonucleic acid sequencing. The frequency of the G-33A mutation (GA+AA genotypes) was significantly higher in the CAD group (23.8% vs 15.5%, odds ratio [OR] 1.70, p = 0.031). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the mutation was an independent risk factor (OR 1.81, p = 0.016) for CAD, as was hypertension (OR 1.44, p = 0.040), diabetes mellitus (OR 2.50, p <0.001), and smoking (OR 2.15, p <0.001). In CAD patients with GG genotype, the soluble thrombomodulin level increased with the extent of CAD (36 +/- 15 vs 47 +/- 18 vs 55 +/- 36 ng/ml in 1-, 2-, or 3-vessel CAD, p <0.001). However, in CAD patients with G-33A mutation, there was no difference between the levels of soluble thrombomodulin (39 +/- 17 vs 37 +/- 15 vs 42 +/- 18 ng/ml, p = NS) in 1-, 2-, or 3-vessel CAD. Our observations suggest that there is a significant association of the G-33A mutation in thrombomodulin gene with CAD, and this mutation may influence the soluble thrombomodulin levels in patients with CAD.

Nucleated red blood cells in maternal blood during pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the frequencies of nucleated red blood cells (RBCs) in maternal blood during different stages of gestation and postpartum. METHODS: Peripheral venous blood samples were collected longitudinally from 38 pregnant women from the first trimester to 3 months postpartum. Nucleated RBCs were isolated by using a triple-density gradient with Histopaque (Sigma Diagnostics, St. Louis, MO) and identified by Kleihauser-Betke acid stain. RESULTS: The number of nucleated RBCs steadily increased from 3.9 (standard error 0.6) per 10(7) nucleated cells in early gestation (6-10 weeks) to 112.0 (standard error 7.5) per 10(7) nucleated cells near term and decreased rapidly after delivery. The number of nucleated RBCs was not related to the gender of the fetus or the ABO blood type compatibility between the mother and fetus. CONCLUSION: The number of nucleated RBCs in the maternal blood increase progressively throughout pregnancy, with some variation from subject to subject.

Parasellar epidural hydatid cysts.

We report two rare cases of parasellar epidural hydatid cysts. Among the 64 patients with intracranial hydatid cysts we have treated in the past 20 years, only these two cases were located epidurally. Because the location and the computed tomographic characteristics were so different from the other cysts, the preoperative diagnosis was difficult to make. We were unable to remove the cysts without rupturing them because they were tightly surrounded. Both patients underwent surgery twice because of a recurrence. The treatment of this kind of case requires further discussion.

Prevalence of Coxiella burnetii infections among North Dakota sheep producers.

A case of Q fever in a sheep producer was detected by a surveillance system in North Dakota in 1993, when Q fever was not reportable. This is the first officially documented case in the state. To estimate the prevalence of Coxiella burnetii infection and identify associated risk factors, we conducted a study covering the whole state. A total of 17 cases were identified among 496 sheep producers, their family members, and hired helpers. The number of sheep raised was a good predictor of C. burnetii infection. Lambing outdoors and frequent physical contacts with sheep during lambing were associated with a higher risk, but petting dogs was correlated with a lower risk. We conclude that C. burnetii infection is prevalent among sheep producers in North Dakota. As the result, Q fever became a reportable disease in North Dakota.

Analysis of three marine fish cell lines by rapd assay.

We tested the applicability of the random amplified polymorphic deoxyribonucleic acid (RAPD) analysis for identification of three marine fish cell lines FG, SPH, and RSBF, and as a possible tool to detect cross-contamination. Sixty commercial 10-mer RAPD primers were tested on the cell lines and on samples collected from individual fish. The results obtained showed that the cell lines could be identified to the correspondent species on the basis of identical patterns produced by 35-48% of the primers tested; the total mean similarity indices for cell lines versus correspondent species of individual fish ranged from 0.825 to 0.851, indicating the existence of genetic variation in these cell lines in relation to the species of their origin. Also, four primers, which gave a monomorphic band pattern within species/line, but different among the species/line, were obtained. These primers can be useful for identification of these cell lines and for characterization of the genetic variation of these cell lines in relation to the species of their origin. This supported the use of RAPD analysis as an effective tool in species identification and cross-contamination test among different cell lines.

Lipid peroxidation and cell death mechanisms in rats and human cells induced by chloral hydrate.

Chloral hydrate (CH) is widely used as a sedative and hypnotic in pediatric medicine. It is also a by-product of water chlorination and a metabolite of trichloroethylene. We examined the toxicological effects and cell death mechanisms of CH in rats and human Chang liver cells and lymphocytes. Monitoring of urinary 8-epi-PGF2alpha and serum levels of TNF-alpha served as index of lipid peroxidation and cytokine stimulation. The results indicated that a single intraperitoneal injection of 100 mg/kg CH in rats led to a nearly five-fold increase in urinary 8-epi-PGF2alpha on day 1, and a mild decrease on day 2 and day 3. The same treatment also induced significantly higher amounts of serum TNF-alpha on day 2 (about seven-fold). When the rats were treated with CH and vitamin E simultaneously, the amount of urinary 8-epi-PGF2alpha and serum TNF- were significantly lower than that in the rats treated with CH alone. CH caused a greater cytotoxic effect in human Chang liver cells than in comparison with lymphocytes. After treatment with CH, apoptosis features were observed in human lymphocytes, but not Chang liver cells. CH-induced cell damage in lymphocytes may offer signals for the induction of caspases activation. Further studies are needed to evaluate the relationship between caspases activation and the cleavage of other death substrates during postmitotic apoptosis in human lymphocytes.