High prevalence and low awareness of hyperuricemia in hypertensive patients among adults aged 50-79 years in Southwest China.

INTRODUCTION: This study was aimed to assess the prevalence of hyperuricemia and its associated risk factors among hypertensive patients in Southwest China. METHODS: From September 2013 to March 2014, a multistage, stratified sampling was conducted on 3505 hypertensive people aged 50-79 years who lived in urban communities within Chengdu and Chongqing, using a questionnaire and performing physical and biochemical measurements. RESULTS: In the study population, approximately 18.2% of all hypertensive participants had hyperuricemia (638/3505), with a prevalence rate of 21.5% in men and 16.2% in women (p < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that aging, without spouse, current drinking, preferring hotpot, hypertriglyceridemia, BMI ≥ 25 kg/ m2, and central obesity were all positively correlated with hyperuricemia, whereas female gender was negatively correlated with hyperuricemia. The prevalence of hyperuricemia among hypertensive patients in urban adults aged 50-79 years in southwestern China was high, while levels of awareness were extremely low. DISCUSSION: Improved hyperuricemia health knowledge should be delivered to improve public awareness of the disease and it may need aggressive strategies aiming at the prevention and treatment of hyperuricemia. It is may necessary to encourage people to check blood uric acid levels when they first time to be diagnosed with hypertension, especially in the elderly.

Preventing crossinfection during reflectance confocal microscopy, using a transparent film dressing.

Contamination and crossinfection are always a significant concern when using reflectance confocal microscopy in the clinic because the glass window and metal ring at the front of the probe must contact the skin and mucosal surfaces, and sterilization of the imaging probes is usually impossible. We describe use of a transparent, single-use film dressing to solve this problem.

miR-1246 releases RTKN2-dependent resistance to UVB-induced apoptosis in HaCaT cells.

MicroRNAs are a kind of small non-coding RNAs that play important roles in various biological processes such as cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. Cellular responses to UV-induced apoptosis have been suggested to be regulated by microRNAs at the posttranscriptional level, while the detailed mechanisms underlying this process remain unclear. Our aim in this study was to investigate the effects of miR-1246 in UVB-induced apoptosis and to identify the functional targets of miR-1246 in keratinocyte HaCaT cells. The expression of miR-1246 and apoptotic genes in HaCaT cells experiencing UVB stress was determined using quantitative real-time PCR. miR-1246 functions in UVB-induced apoptosis were quantified via fluorescence-activated cell sorter analysis of miR-1246 mimic or inhibitor-transfected cells. Additionally, the regulatory relationship between RTKN2 and miR-1246 was identified by Western blot and luciferase reporter assays. miR-1246 was upregulated accompanying with UVB-irradiated apoptosis in HaCaT cells. Overexpression of miR-1246 promoted UVB-induced apoptosis, while knockdown of miR-1246, using a specific inhibitor, resulted in a significant reduction in UVB-elicited apoptosis. We further demonstrate that miR-1246 negatively regulated the expression of RTKN2 through binding to the 3'-untranslated region of RTKN2 at the posttranscriptional level. Moreover, RTKN2 was observed to be resistant to UVB-induced apoptosis and RTKN2 antagonized the pro-apoptotic effects of miR-1246 during UVB-induced apoptosis in HaCaT cells. These findings suggested that miR-1246 promotes UVB-induced apoptosis by downregulating RTKN2 expression and that UVB-upregulated miR-1246 released RTKN2-dependent resistance to UVB-induced apoptosis by targeting RTKN2 post-transcriptionally in keratinocyte cells.

Visual DNA microarray for detection of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene mutations.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a gold nanoparticle-based visual DNA microarray for simple and rapid screening of EGFR gene mutations. METHODS: The DNA fragments contain epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) exons 18, 19, 20 and 21 were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using biotin-modified primers. The amino-modified oligonucleotides were immobilized on glass surface, which were used as the capturing probes to bind the complement biotinylated target DNA. After the PCR product has been hybridized to the immobilized capture probe DNA on the glass slides, the Streptavidin-conjugated gold nanoparticles were introduced to the microarray via specific binding to 5'-end biotin of the PCR products. The hybridization signal on array spots was enhanced and visualized by silver amplification. The EGFR mutation in 286 clinical samples from cancer patients were tested using the gold nanoparticle-based microarray and verified with Sanger DNA sequencing method. RESULTS: A novel visual DNA microarray has been developed to detect EGFR mutations in tumor tissue specimens rapidly; its limit of detection (LOD) is up to 10(-9) mol/L and distinguishes power to detect 5% gene mutation in the mixture samples. CONCLUSION: For its high specificity and sensitivity, simplicity, lower price and higher speed, the present visual mutation detecting technique has potential application in clinical fields.

Effect of combined treatment with recombinant interleukin-2 and allicin on pancreatic cancer.

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of combined treatment with recombinant interleukin-2 (rIL-2) and allicin on pancreatic cancer and explore the potential immunological mechanism. A total of 60 C57/BL6 nude mice pancreatic cancer xenograft models were randomized into four groups of 15 mice per group: control group, allicin treatment group, rIL-2 treatment group, combined treatment with allicin and rIL-2 group. Mice in each group were treated with saline, rIL-2, allicin, or combination of rIL-2 and allicin by weekly i.v injection for four weeks. After four weeks of treatment, eyeballs of the mice were extracted and blood was drawn, percentages of CD4+T, CD8+T and NK cell were analyzed by FACS, IFN-γ level was detected by ELISA. One mouse in each group was sacrificed to measure the weight and volume of the tumor and prepared to the paraffin section of tumor tissue. Apoptosis of the tumor cells was analyzed by TUNEL and FACS. Other mice continued to receive treatment, survival period were compared between each group. We observed a significant suppression of xenograft growth and a significant prolonged survival time in the combined treatment with allicin and rIL-2 group (P < 0.05). The most amount of apoptotic cells were observed in the combined therapy group (P < 0.05). The percentages of CD4+T, CD8+T and NK cell and serum IFN-γ level increased significantly in the combined treatment group compared with other groups (P < 0.05). Combined treatment with allicin and rIL-2 resulted in suppression of tumor growth and prolonged survival time possibly through activation of CD4+T, CD8+T and NK cell.

The expression and regulation of DFNA5 in human hepatocellular carcinoma DFNA5 in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Hepatocellular carcinoma is a primary malignancy of hepatocytes which accounts for 80 % of all primary liver cancers. DFNA5 has been identified as a tumor suppressor gene with an important role in several frequent forms of cancers, while little is known about its role in hepatocellular carcinoma. Through comparison of the DFNA5 protein expression in hepatocellular carcinoma cells (HepG2) with human fetal lung fibroblast cells (MRC5), we found that the DFNA5 protein expression in hepatocellular carcinoma cells was significantly lower than that in normal cells. The transfection of DFNA5 gene into HepG2 cells could increase DFNA5 protein expression, which subsequently led to inhibition of cell proliferation. Underlying mechanism study revealed that decreased proliferation was due to increased apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. In view of the important role of DFNA5 gene in carcinogenesis, these findings are expected to provide new understanding on development and treatment of human hepatocellular carcinoma.

Targetoid haemosiderotic nevus: four cases and a literature review.

BACKGROUND: Targetoid haemosiderotic nevus (THN), a distinct clinical form of melanocytic nevus, is characterized by the sudden development of a purpuric halo surrounding a pre-existing nevus, easily mistaken for melanoma. OBJECTIVES: To summarise the clinical, dermoscopic and histopathological findings of THN in order to better recognize and manage this condition. MATERIALS & METHODS: We describe four cases and provide a review of the literature based on a search in PubMed. Overall, the clinical, dermoscopic and pathological findings of 15 THN cases are summarised. RESULTS: THN was characterized by a sudden onset of a purpuric halo surrounding a pre-existing nevus without any apparent trigger which occurred mainly in young females. Dermoscopically, the central nevus showed a black-brown, globular or homogeneous pattern, possibly interspersed with reddish, purple, or black structureless areas and comma-shaped vessels. The peripheric purpuric halo had two patterns: one with homogeneous reddish or purplish red areas, and another with an inner pale and outer homogeneous reddish or purplish red zone. The pathological findings showed an intradermal or compound nevus, dilated vessels, and extravasated erythrocytes, possibly accompanied by perivascular inflammatory infiltration and fibrin and hemosiderin deposits. CONCLUSION: THN is a benign lesion that usually requires no intervention other than follow-up observation. Dermoscopy is a useful non-invasive diagnostic tool, and biopsy can be avoided. The purpuric halo resolves spontaneously within two to four weeks with rare recurrence.

The prevalence of obesity-related hypertension among middle-aged and older adults in China.

Objective: The aim of our study was to assess the prevalence and geographic variation of obesity-related hypertension in China among adults aged 45 years or older. Methods: Data were derived from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) conducted in 2015. Stratified sample households covered 150 counties/districts and 450 villages/urban communities from 28 provinces by using household questionnaires, clinical measurements, and blood-based bioassays. A multivariable non-conditional logistic regression model was used to analyze the risk factors correlated with obesity-related hypertension. Results: The prevalence of obesity-related hypertension was 22.7%, ~120 million people, among adults aged 45 years or older in China. For people in the age ranges of 45-54, 55-64, 65-74, and ≥75 years, the prevalence of obesity-related hypertension was 16.7, 24.3, 27, and 26.7%, respectively, and the prevalence of obesity-related hypertension among hypertensive participants was 66.0, 60.9, 54.2, and 47.3%, respectively. Compared with non-obesity-related hypertension, the obesity-related hypertensive patients had a higher prevalence of diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, and hyperuricemia (all P < 0.0001). The prevalence of obesity-related hypertension showed a decreasing gradient from north to south and from east to west. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that female gender, living in urban areas, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, and hyperuricemia were positively correlated with obesity-related hypertension. Conclusion: The prevalence of obesity-related hypertension among adults aged 45 years or older was high in China. Among hypertensive participants, older age was negatively correlated with obesity-related hypertension. Obesity-related hypertensive participants are more prone to aggregation of risk factors of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

Prevalence and related factors of dyslipidemia among urban adults aged 35 to 79 years in Southwestern China.

This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of dyslipidemia and its related factors among urban adults aged 35 to 79 years in Southwestern China. From September 2013 to March 2014, a multi-stage sampling was conducted, and a total of 10,221 people aged 35-79 years living in Chengdu and Chongqing were included. More than 30 investigators were trained in data collection, including questionnaire, anthropometric measurements and blood biomarkers testing. The prevalence of high triglycerides (≥ 2.3 mmol/L), high total cholesterol (≥ 6.2 mmol/L), high low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (≥ 4.1 mmol/L), low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (< 1.0 mmol/L), and dyslipidemia were 15.7% (95% confidence interval, 15.0-16.4%), 5.4% (4.9-5.8%), 2.5% (2.2-2.8%), 5.7% (5.3-6.2%), and 27.4% (26.5-28.2%), respectively. The prevalence of dyslipidemia was positively correlated with higher education level, monthly income over 2000 CNY, smoking, hypertension, diabetes, overweight and obesity, and central obesity, and negatively correlated with daily physical exercise. The prevalence of dyslipidemia in Southwestern China is lower than the national average level, with high triglycerides being the most common form of dyslipidemia.

Prevalence and associated factors of hyperuricemia among urban adults aged 35-79 years in southwestern China: a community-based cross-sectional study.

Hyperuricemia is prevalent throughout the world. However, a well-designed large-scale epidemiological investigation of hyperuricemia in southwestern China is lacking. A regional representative sample of 10,141 participants were included using multistage, stratified sampling in Chengdu and Chongqing from September 2013 to March 2014. Hyperuricemia was defined as the self-reported of the doctor's diagnosis of hyperuricemia, or serum uric acid > 420 µmol/L in men or serum uric acid > 360 µmol/L in women. The overall age- and sex-standardized prevalence of hyperuricemia among adults aged 35-79 years was 13.5%. Compared with women, the prevalence of hyperuricemia in men was higher (17.3% versus 10.0%). Hypertension, hyperlipidemia, overweight or obesity, central obesity were associated with an increased risk for hyperuricemia both in men and in women. Married men and women were not susceptible to hyperuricemia. Current cigarette smoking was an associated risk factor of hyperuricemia only in women. Hyperuricemia has become a major health problem among urban adults aged 35-79 years in southwestern China, and special attention should be paid to men. Comorbidities associated with hyperuricemia and causality worth further investigation.

Prevalence and Associated Factors of Diabetes Mellitus in a Very Elderly Chinese Population: A Cross-sectional Study.

OBJECTIVES: This paper aimed to investigate the prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) and explore the associated risk factors in a very elderly southwest Chinese population. METHODS: From September 2015 to June 2016, a cross-sectional survey was conducted to obtain a representative sample of 1,326 participants over 80 years old living in Chengdu. The presence of DM was based on fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and 2-h plasma glucose (2-hPG) levels during an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). A logistic regression model was used to calculate the odds ratios ( ORs) and 95% confidence intervals ( CIs) of the potential associated factors. RESULTS: The participants' mean age was 83.5 ± 3.1 years. The overall prevalence of DM was 27.4%. The prevalence was higher in males (30.2%) than females (24.7%) ( P = 0.02). The prevalence of DM increased with body mass index (BMI) and decreased with aging. The multivariate analysis suggested that male sex ( OR = 1.433; 95% CI, 1.116-1.843), hypertension ( OR = 1.439; 95% CI, 1.079-1.936), overweight or obesity ( OR = 1.371; 95% CI, 1.023-1.834), high heart rate (≥ 75 beats/min; OR = 1.362; 95% CI, 1.063-1.746), and abdominal obesity ( OR = 1.615; 95% CI, 1.216-2.149) were all significantly positively correlated with DM. However, age was negatively correlated with DM ( OR = 0.952; 95% CI, 0.916-0.989). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of DM and newly diagnosed DM in a very elderly southwest Chinese population was high. OGTT screening should be performed regularly in people aged ≥ 80 years to ensure timely diagnosis of DM.