[Spatial structure of talus trabeculae based on high resolution X-ray and micro-CT].

Objective: To study the specific alignment and structure of cancellous bone within the talus in order to understand the mechanism of force transmission within the bone and to provide some theoretical basis for the repositioning of talar fractures and the design of prostheses. Methods: In January 2020, a total of 40 adult talar bone specimens were scanned by Micro-CT in 20 pairs obtained from the Department of Orthopedics of Tianjin Hospital. The bone volume fraction, bone surface area fraction, trabecular thickness, number of trabeculae, trabecular pattern factor of the head, neck and body of the talus were calculated, and the differences in each parameter were compared between different parts of the same side and different sides of the same part, respectively. The talus was cut into 2 mm thick slices in the coronal, sagittal and horizontal planes using a hard tissue slicer, and the slices were then scanned using high-resolution X-rays to describe the bone structure. Results: There were no statistically significant differences between the medial and lateral talar and right and left side in lateral trabecular bone volume fraction, bone surface area fraction, trabecular thickness, trabecular number, trabecular pattern factors (all P>0.05). The number of trabeculae in the talar head, neck and body was 1.608±0.150, 1.639±0.142 and 1.749±0.159, respectively; trabecular thickness (µm) in the talar head, neck and body was 0.378±0.054, 0.370±0.053 and 0.331±0.062, respectively; and the trabecular pattern factors (mm-1) in the talar head, neck and body was -0.407±0.699, -0.478±0.848 and -1.029±0.851, respectively. There were significant differences between talar head, neck and the talar body trabeculae in terms of the number of trabeculae, trabecular thickness,trabecular pattern factor parameters(all P<0.05). The structure of the talar body trabeculae was found to consist of plate trabeculae arranged vertically parallel to each other in the coronal, sagittal and horizontal planes. The talar neck trabeculae were twisted, external-superior to internal-inferior reticular plate structure that travelled posteriorly and anteriorly, and the talar head trabeculae consisted of similarly parallel aligned semi-arc-shaped external-superior and internal-inferior trabeculae. Conclusion: The talar trabeculae are clearly directional and functional, so anatomical reduction should be achieved after the fracture; at the same time, the design of the talar prosthesis should take into account the stress distribution and direction of the prosthesis during walking and standing.

Systemic sclerosis-rheumatoid arthritis overlap syndrome complicated with Sweet's syndrome.

Herein, we report a case of a 34-year-old woman with systemic sclerosis (SSc)-rheumatoid arthritis (RA) overlap syndrome (OS) complicated with Sweet's syndrome. OS has been defined as entities satisfying classification criteria of at least two connective tissue diseases (CTD) occurring at the same or at different times in the same patient. The CTD include RA, SSc, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), polymyositis, and dermatomyositis. Sweet's syndrome also known as acute febrile neutrophilic dermatosis was first described by Robert Sweet in 1964. Sweet's syndrome is characterized by fever, neutrophilia, erythematous skin lesions, and a diffuse dermal infiltrate of mature neutrophils. There are sets of associations that we will discuss in this article between OS and Sweet's syndrome.

[Clinical analysis of Sweet syndrome with myelodysplasia syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To study the clinical, histopathological and therapeutic features of Sweet syndrome with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). METHODS: The clinical data of 3 patients with Sweet syndrome and MDS diagnosed at Peking Union Medical College Hospital between October 1988 and November 2015 were reviewed. The laboratory test results, histopathological findings, and therapeutic regimens of these patients were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: The three cases were 29, 49 and 49 years old, respectively, including 2 females and 1 male. Two patients presented with Sweet syndrome before the onset of MDS, the other one patient developed Sweet syndrome and MDS simultaneously. The rash of all of these patients manifested as red painful papules in face, trunk and limbs, as well as edematous plaques and nodules. Histopathological examination of skin confirmed the diagnosis of Sweet syndrome. Complete blood count showed cytopenia of at least one lineage. Bone marrow cytology showed dysplasia of hematopoietic cells with abnormal high proportion of myeloblasts. Bone marrow pathology results were normal in 2 patients, while hypoplasia of hematopoietic tissue with excess adipose tissue was found in 1 patient. All the patients were treated with corticosteroid or immunosuppressants and skin lesions alleviated. But relapse was common in process of corticosteroid reduction. CONCLUSIONS: Sweet syndrome may be a precursor of MDS. The clinical manifestations, histopathological and hematological findings of these rare cases are characteristic. Corticosteroid indicates short-term response. The patients who had recurrent skin lesions should be further examined to exclude MDS.

Association of Beclin-1 and microRNA-30a expression with the severity and treatment response of colorectal cancer.

We investigated the associations between Beclin-1 and microRNA-30a (miR-30a) expression and the severity and treatment response in colorectal cancer (CRC). Our sample size consisted of 139 CRC patients who were treated with surgery alone. Immunohistochemistry was used to investigate the expression and prognostic significance of Beclin-1 in CRC, while the weak expression of Beclin-1 in normal tissue was used as the basis for assessing tumors (control group). Real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction quantified miR-30a levels. The expression levels of Beclin-1 and miR-30a were associated with clinical variables and prognoses. Beclin-1 was expressed more highly in CRC tissues than in controls. This expression was related to gender (P = 0.023), histological grade (P = 0.006), M stage (P = 0.004), tumor node metastasis stage (P = 0.020), vascular invasion, and nodal involvement. Patients with higher Beclin-1 expression levels had higher survival rates (P = 0.08) than patients with lower Beclin-1 expression levels. Beclin-1 was a prognostic indicator (P < 0.05) in a multivariate analysis. Beclin-1 was overexpressed in CRC tissues and was correlated with lower levels of miR-30a (P < 0.05, r = -0. 4189). In conclusion, Beclin-1 was a good prognostic indicator in CRC and was correlated with survival rate. Beclin-1 is important in the growth and metastasis of CRC. Apoptosis in CRC might be due to the increased autophagy induced by decreased levels of miR-30a.

Changes in cFLIP expression in the corpus luteum throughout the estrous cycle of Shibagoats.

Changes in the expression of the anti-apoptotic protein cFLIP (cellular FLICE inhibitory protein) were examined in the caprine corpus luteum (CL), during development and subsequent maintenance. Corpora lutea at four different stages were collected from Shiba goats, to measure the expression of cFLIP mRNA, protein and immunolocalization. Expression of short form cFLIP (cFLIPS) mRNA was highest at the early CL stage, and decreased during late and regressed stages (P < 0.05). In contrast, long form cFLIP (cFLIPL) mRNA expression was high during early, mid and late stages, and only decreased at the regressed stage (P< 0.01). Protein expression of cFLIPS was highest at the late CL stage, and decreased at the regressed stage (P < 0.01). Protein expression of cFLIPL was highest at the early and mid CL stages, and decreased by the late and regressed stages (P < 0.01). Further expression of cFLIPL was higher at the early CL stage than at the mid stage (P < 0.01). cFLIP protein expression was detectable by immunostaining in the early, mid and late CL stages, but not at the regressed CL stage. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that cFLIP acts as a survival factor in the maintenance of CL function in goats.

Expression and localization of cFLIP anti-apoptotic protein in the porcine corpus luteum and corpora albicans during the estrous cycle and pregnancy.

We determined expression and localization of the anti-apoptotic cellular FLICE inhibitory protein (cFLIP) in the porcine corpora lutea (CL) and corpus albicans (CA) during estrous and pregnancy. The CL and CA were collected at different stages of estrous to determine cFLIP immunolocalization, and mRNA and protein expression. The mRNA expression of the short cFLIP isoform (cFLIPS) was higher at the early and mid CL stages, and lower by the late CL stage (P < 0.01); mRNA expression of the long cFLIP isoform (cFLIPL) was higher at the mid CL stage, and lower at the early and late CL stages (P < 0.01). Levels of cFLIPS and cFLIPL were steady and high during the early and mid CL stages, and had significantly decreased (P < 0.01) by the late stage. The cFLIP protein was highly expressed in the early and mid CL stages of estrous, but weakly ex-pressed in the late stage. Expression of cFLIPS showed no significant difference between preovulatory corpus albicans (CA1) and corpus albicans (CA2) coexistent with the CL from the previous estrus, but cFLIPL mRNA expression was higher during CA1 than CA2. The expression of cFLIPS showed no significant difference between CA1 and CA2, but cFLIPL was not detected. The cFLIP protein was weak-ly expressed in the CA. Expression of cFLIPS and cFLIPL mRNA and proteins was observed in the CL, and the cFLIP protein was highly expressed during pregnancy. We propose that cFLIPS/L acts as a survival factor, and performs an anti-apoptotic function in the porcine CL.

Lack of evidence for OSMR and RET gene mutations in a Chinese family with friction melanosis.

BACKGROUND: Friction melanosis (FM) is a common dermatological disorder. Although cases have been reported, familial FM is rare. FM and macular amyloidosis (MA) have been hypothesized to be identical clinical conditions, and cutaneous lichen amyloidosis (CLA) is linked to mutations in the OSMR (oncostatin M receptor) or RET (receptor tyrosine kinase) genes. AIM: To evaluate the OSMR and RET gene mutations in a Chinese family with FM. Methods. We investigated a family with FM with six affected members in four successive generations. All 17 exons of the OSMR and 19 exons of the RET genes were screened for mutation by PCR, and restriction enzyme digestion assays for RET codon 634 mutations were performed for selected members of the family. RESULTS: Based on the pedigree characteristics, we suggest an autosomal dominant mode of inheritance in this FM family. We did not detect any mutations in the OSMR or RET genes. CONCLUSIONS: We report a rare case of familial FM. Genes other than OSMR and RET may be involved in the pathogenesis of this family.

Harzianums A and B produced by a fungal strain, Hypocrea sp. F000527, and their cytotoxicity against tumor cell lines.

A new compound, harzianum B (1), was isolated from the culture broth of a fungal strain, Hypocrea sp. F000527, together with a known trichothecene, harzianum A (2). Its structure was determined by spectroscopic analyses including HRFAB-MS and various (1)H NMR and (13)C NMR spectral data. Harzianum B (1) was characterised as (E,Z,E)-2', 4', 6'-octatriendioic acid esterified on the 4beta-hydroxyl group of trichodermol. Harzianums A (2) and B (1) showed cytotoxicity against several human cancer cell lines.

A new Hypocrea strain producing harzianum A cytotoxic to tumour cell lines.

AIMS: To identify a new fungal strain, Hypocrea sp. F000527 producing a trichothecene metabolite, harzianum A, and to evaluate its cytotoxicity to tumour cell lines. METHODS AND RESULTS: A fungal strain, F000527, with cytotoxic activity was identified as a new Hypocrea strain based on morphological characteristics and internal transcribed spacers rDNA sequence data. Harzianum A was isolated from wheat bran culture by 50% acetone extraction, silica gel chromatography, Sephadex LH-20 chromatography and HPLC. The chemical structures were determined by ESI- or HRFAB-MS and (1)H and (13)C-NMR analyses. Harzianum A showed cytotoxicity to HT1080 and HeLa cell lines with IC(50) value of 0.65 and 5.07 Lg ml(-1) respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Harzianum A with a chemical formula of C(23)H(28)O(6) was isolated from a new Hypocrea strain and showed moderate to strong cytotoxicity to human cancer cell lines. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This is the first report of the production of cytotoxic harzianum A by a new Hypocrea strain.

Indoor air pollution in four cities in China.

The study reports the investigation of indoor air pollution carried out in four cities in China (Chengde, Shanghai, Shenyang and Wuhan). The concentrations of RP, SO2, CO and NO2 were measured in kitchens and bedrooms, both in summer and in winter. The results showed that indoor air pollution, as measured by RP, SO2, CO, was heavy when coal was used as domestic fuel. This was particularly severe in winter. For example, the concentrations of SO2 in homes with coal stoves were more than 10 times higher than those in homes with gas or LPG in Shanghai. The concentrations of pollutants in kitchens were higher than those in bedrooms. The source of pollutants was fuel combustion from kitchen. The highest concentrations in kitchen could reach 665 micrograms/m3 (RP), 860 micrograms/m3 (SO2) and 14.07 mg/m3 (CO). The concentrations in bedrooms were up to 270 micrograms/m3, 502 micrograms/m3, and 13.67mg/m3, respectively.

Treatment of hyaline membrane disease by human amniotic fluid surfactant.

A case of hyaline membrane disease was treated successfully with pulmonary surfactant (PS) isolated from human amniotic fluid. Dosage was 150 mg phospholipid/kg. The exogenous surfactant was instilled into the airway via a tracheal cannula. Clinical symptoms, PO2 and FiO2 improved evidently 24 hours after administration. L/S ratio and phosphatidylglycerol recovered gradually in aspirates. Lung X-ray film manifested "white lung" before instillation of surfactant and showed a striking improvement 3 days after treatment. The duration of mechanical ventilation was 6 days. During the period of recovery complications of patent ductus arteriosus and bacterial pneumonia developed. However, the patient recovered completely and was discharged 32 days after admission.