Association of Surfactant-Associated Protein D Gene Polymorphisms with the Risk of COPD: a Meta-Analysis

The relationship between surfactant-associated protein D polymorphisms and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease risk remains controversial. This article is the first to systematically evaluate this relationship. A comprehensive worldwide search was conducted for relevant literature on surfactant-associated protein D gene mutations and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease risk prediction. Study quality was evaluated using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. After four genetic models (the allele, additive, recessive, and dominant models) were identified, odds ratios (ORs) and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were applied in this meta-analysis. The meta-analysis included 659 individuals in the case group and 597 in the control group. In the Asian population, none of the four genetic models revealed any significant association between rs2243639 genotype and the risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. In Caucasians, however, the recessive model exhibited significant risk associated with rs2243639. Furthermore, there was a significant association between rs721917 genotype and the risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the Asian population. In contrast, none of the four gene models revealed any significant risk associated with this gene in the Caucasian population. This meta-analysis suggests that rs2243639 is not related to the risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the Asian population but is related to this risk in the Caucasian population. Regarding rs721917, the T allele may increase the risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the Asian population.

Cloning, expression, and characterization of three ribosomal protein S13 genes in Sophora flavescens / Clonagem, expressão e caracterização de três proteínas ribossômicas S13 genes em Sophora flavescens

To characterize the structure and function of ribosomal protein S13 (RPS13), we identified fulllength open reading frames (ORFs) of three RPS13 genes (RPS13-1, RPS13-2, and RPS13-3) of the Chinese medicinal plant, Sophora flavescens. The target genes were amplified by reverse transcription-olymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), ligated into the pET22b(+) vector, and then transformed into Escherichia coli BL21 competent cells for protein expression. The physicochemical properties, protein motif, evolution, and structural organization of the three RPS13 genes were analyzed using bioinformatics tools. The full-length ORFs (453 bp) of the three RPS13 genes of S. flavescens were cloned, and each encodes a protein of 151 amino acids in length, and their expression was detected by Western blotting. Bioinformatics analysis showed that RPS13s are stable proteins that are closely related to the 40S RPS13s of Vigna radiate var. radiate. Their three-dimensional structures included three -helices at the C-terminal and four -helices at the N-terminal, and the two clusters of helices were connected by a long random coil, which may help maintain the dynamic bridging interactions between the large and small subunits of the ribosome. The full-length ORFs of three RPS13 genes of S. flavescens were successfully cloned and expressed in vitro. The study of the physicochemical properties, evolution, and secondary and three-dimensional structures of the three proteins will provide the theoretical basis for further studies on the function of RPS13s in plants.

Objetivo: Para caracterizar a estrutura e a função da proteína ribossomal S13 (RPS13), identificamos fases de leitura abertas (ORFs) completas de três genes RPS13 (RPS13-1, RPS13-2 e RPS13-3) da planta medicinal chinesa, Sophora flavescens. Métodos: Os genes alvo foram amplificados por reação em cadeia da polimerase por transcrição reversa (RT-PCR), ligados ao vetor pET22b(+), e então transformados em células competentes de Escherichia coli BL21 para expressão protéica. As propriedades físico-químicas, o motivo protéico, a evolução e a organização estrutural dos três genes RPS13 foram analisados utilizando ferramentas de bioinformática. Resultados: ORFs completos (453 pb) dos três genes RPS13 de S. flavescens foram clonados, e cada um codifica uma proteína de 151 aminoácidos de comprimento, e sua expressão foi detectada por western blotting. A análise de bioinformática mostrou que as RPS13s são proteínas estáveis que estão intimamente relacionadas com as 40S RPS13s de Vigna radiata var. radiate. Suas estruturas tridimensionais incluíam três -hélices no C-terminal e quatro -hélices no N-terminal, e os dois aglomerados de hélices eram conectados por uma longa bobina aleatória, o que pode ajudar a manter as interações de ponte dinâmicas entre o subunidades grandes e pequenas do ribossomo. Conclusões: As ORFs completas de três genes RPS13 de S. flavescens foram clonadas e expressas com sucesso in vitro. O estudo das propriedades físico-químicas, evolução e estruturas secundárias e tridimensionais das três proteínas fornecerão a base teórica para estudos adicionais sobre a função das RPS13s em plantas.

Severity and prevalence of behavioral and psychological symptoms among patients of different dementia stages in Taiwan

Abstract Background To better understand the trends of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) over the disease progression is important to provide psychoeducation for dementia caregivers. Objective This study examined the severity and occurrence of BPSD across the various degrees of the disease. Methods This study was a cross-sectional design. Patients (N = 276) who had dementia from July 2001 to October 2008 were surveyed and assessed for dementia stage, using the clinical dementia rating scale (CDR). BPSD was evaluated using the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI). We examined the differences between the severities and occurrence of the individual's BPSD among various CDR stages with the Kruskal-Wallis test and Chi-square test. Results Delusion (p = 0.01), agitation/aggression (p = 0.033), apathy/indifference (p = 0.009), aberrant motor behavior (p < 0.001), nighttime behavior disturbances (p < 0.001), and eating abnormalities (p = 0.001) were significantly different among stages of dementia. The severity of BPSD became exacerbated over the course of the disease, and was highest in moderate (CDR = 2) or severe (CDR = 3) dementia. The occurrence of BPSD was highest when the CDR equaled 2 (97.5%). Discussion The association of global (or certain) BPSD, across different stages of dementia, is a non-linear relationship. These findings suggest the importance of taking into account clinical dementia stage for managing BPSD.

Hepatic metastasis complicated by abscess formation

Hepatic abscesses and hepatic metastasis are common diseases. However, hepatic abscesses seldom occur in patients with hepatic metastases. We describe a case of a 67-year-old female patient with abdominal pain in the right upper quadrant. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed several lesions, with the largest lesion displaying features of both hepatic pyogenic abscess and liver metastasis. These features included iso- or hypointense signaling on T1WI and T2WI, hyperintense signaling on diffusion weighted imaging of the thick wall, and mixed hyperintense signal in the center on DWI, as well as dramatic and irregular peripheral enhancement was detected on LAVA dynamic contrast scanning. Aspiration and culture of the largest lesions revealed Klebsiella pneumoniae and a pathologic diagnosis of adenocarcinoma. At this point, the patient admitted a history of colon adenocarcinoma 9 years ago treated with hemicolectomy. Therefore, this patient was considered to have a hepatic pyogenic abscesses complicated by hepatic metastasis. The patient began treatment for the responsible pathogens and underwent chemoembolization of the liver lesions. In special cases, we could attempt to pursue a more detailed search for coexistence of microorganism infection and tumor

Analysis of risk factors for spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in hepatic cirrhosis / 中国基层医药

ObjectiveTo study the risk factors of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis(SBP) in cirrhotic patients with ascites. MethodsThe clinical data of 186 cirrhotic patients with ascities from February 2005 to March 2010 were retrospectively analyzed were divided into two groups,the one with SBP and the other without SBP. The following factors such as sex, Child-Pugh grade were analyzed with binary logistic regression. ResultsAmong those factors ,3 factors were proved to be risk factors for SBP in cirrhotic patients with ascites by analysis of single and multiple variables. Those were Child-Pugh grade score, serum bilirubin level and ascitic fluid albumin. ConclusionSBP in cirrhotic patients with ascites was affected by many factors. The Child-Pugh grade score, serum bilirubin level and ascitic fluid albumin were independently associated with risk factors of SBP, so it was important to pay attention to those factors in preventing the onset of SBP.

Effect of Wumeiwan on Cytokines TNF-α, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10 and Expression of NF-κBp65 in Rats with Ulcerative Colitis / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

The effects of Wumeiwan (WMW) on TNF-α, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10 and NF-κBp65 in rats with ulcerative colitis (UC) were investigated, the curative effectiveness of WMW vs salicylazosul-fapyridine (SASP) was compared, and the action mechanism was analyzed. Fifty-Six Spra-gue-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into four groups (n=14 in each group, with equal ratio of male and female): normal control group, model group, SASP group, and WMW group. Except normal control group, the rat UC models in the remaining three groups were established using the method of 2.4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) immunization and acetic acid local enema. The rats in model group, SASP group, and WMW group were treated with distilled water, SASP, and WMW re-spectively. The changes in the symptoms and signs were observed, and levels of IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α,IL-10 and the expression of NF-κBp65 in the colonic tissues were statistically analyzed. The results showed that the levels of IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α were significantly increased (P<0.01), while those of IL-10 significantly reduced (P<0.01) after establishment of rat UC models as compared with normal control group. The levels of IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α were obviously lower, bat the level of IL-10 was obviously higher in WMW and SASP groups than those in model group (P<0.05). The levels of IL-6,IL-8, and TNF-α were lower, while the level of IL-10 was higher in WMW group than in SASP group.NF-κBp65 was expressed negatively or weakly in normal colonic tissues. The positive expression rate of NF-κBp65 in WMW group and SASP group was obviously lower than in model group (P<0.01), and there was significant difference between WMW group and SASP group (P<0.05). It was concluded that rat UC model was established successfully. WMW could up-regulate the expres-sion oflL-10, down-regulate the expression ofTNF-α, IL-6, IL-8, and inhibit the NF-κBp65 activity to adjust immune function, indicating WMW had better curative effects on UC in rats.