[Prevalence of Candida albicans and its relationship with early childhood caries among children of three ethnic groups (Han, Uygur, Mongolian) in Bortala Mongol Autonomous Prefecture of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region].

Objective: To investigate the distributions of Candida albicans (Ca), which are closely associated to early childhood caries (ECC) of young children, in 3-5-year-old children of Mongolian, Uygur and Han ethnic groups in Bortala Mongol Autonomous Prefecture of Xinjiang Urgur Autonomous Region, so as to provide scientific basis for the early prediction and prevention of caries locally. Methods: Totally 1 089 healthy children aged 3 to 5 years old (Mongolian 136, Uygur 403 and Han 550; 568 males and 521 females) were randomly selected by stratified and cluster sampling method. The children in early childhood caries group were 786 and in caries free group were 303. Dental plaque samples were collected from the carious tooth tissues and supragingival sites, respectively. Samples were isolated and cultured by different media. Ca were identified by Gram stain, germ tube test, PCR method and internal transcribed spacer region sequencing methods. Ca isolated were further typed by using PCR-25SrDNA genotype method. Pearson χ(2) test and Spearman rank correlation were used to analyze the differences in genotypes of Ca amongst three ethnic groups and the relationship between decayed missing filled tooth (dmft) classification and detection of Ca. Results: The Ca was significantly higher in the ECC group [14.4% (113/786)] than in the caries free group [7.6% (23/303)] (P=0.002). The identified rate of Ca in Mongolian group was [11.8% (16/136)], which was significantly lower than that of Uygur group [17.9% (72/403)] and higher than that of Han group [8.7% (48/550)] (χ(2)=10.192, P=0.006). Among the male children, the identified rate of Ca in Mongolian group was [10.0% (8/80)], which was significantly lower than that of Uygur group [21.7% (44/203)] and higher than that of Han group [8.4% (24/285)] (χ(2)=18.887, P=0.000). Among the female children, the detection rates of Ca were [14.3% (8/56)] in Mongolian group, [14.0% (28/200)] in Uygur group and [9.1% (24/265)] in Han group. There were no significant differences among the three ethnic groups (χ(2)=3.206, P=0.201). The identification rates of oral Ca in Uygur and Han ECC groups were correlated with the decayed, missing and filled teeth (Uygur r=0.195, P=0.001; Han r=0.145, P=0.004). Totally 136 Ca samples were divided into 3 types by PCR-25SrDNA method, and the predominant type was type A [55.1% (75/136)]. Conclusions: The distribution of oral Ca among children were ethnically different. Uygur male children carrying Ca were more susceptible to dental caries. Ca might be a risk factor for ECC. There was no specific cariogenic genotype in Ca isolated. There were no associations between ethnic factors and the genotypes of Ca isolated.

Association of a miR-34b binding site single nucleotide polymorphism in the 3'-untranslated region of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene with susceptibility to male infertility.

This study aims to explore the possible associations between a genetic variation in the miR-34b binding site in the 3'-untranslated region (UTR) of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene (rs55763075) with male infertility in a Chinese population. Genotype distributions of the rs55763075 single nucleotide polymorphism were investigated by polymerase chain reaction and direct sequencing in a Chinese cohort that included 464 infertile men with idiopathic azoospermia or oligospermia and 458 controls with normal fertility. Overall, no significant differences in the distributions of the genotypes of the MTHFR rs55763075 polymorphism were detected between the infertility and control groups. A statistically significant increased risk of male infertility was found for carriers of the rs55763075 AA genotype when compared with homozygous carriers of the rs55763075 GG genotype in the azoospermia subgroup (OR = 1.721; 95% CI = 1.055-2.807; P = 0.031). Furthermore, we found that rs55763075 was associated with folate and homocysteine levels in patients with idiopathic azoospermia. Our results indicated that the MTHFR 3'-UTR rs55763075 polymorphism might modify the susceptibility to male infertility with idiopathic azoospermia.

The alteration of PTEN tumor suppressor expression and its association with the histopathological features of human primary hepatocellular carcinoma.

PURPOSE: Although deletions or inactivating mutations of the tumor suppressor gene PTEN (phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10) are involved in the development of a variety of tumors including glioblastoma, melanoma, prostate cancer, breast cancer, endometrial cancers etc., the role of PTEN expression in human primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has not yet been clarified. The aim of this study is to investigate the involvement of PTEN mRNA and protein expression in HCC. METHODS: The level of PTEN mRNA expression in HCC specimens was analyzed by Northern blot. PTEN poly-clonal antibody was raised by immunizing New Zealand white rabbit with (His)(6)-tagged PTEN fusion protein and characterized by Western blot. The level of PTEN protein expression was determined by immunohistochemistry. The significance of PTEN in HCC was analyzed by comparing its expression level with the clinicopathological parameters of HCC patients. RESULTS: Four transcripts of PTEN mRNA at 5.5 kb, 4.4 kb, 2.4 kb, and 1.8 kb were detected in most para-carcinoma liver tissues, and the expression level of PTEN mRNA in carcinoma liver tissues was found to decrease significantly. The poly-clonal antibody raised against histidine-tagged fusion PTEN protein showed specific immuno-reactivity to PTEN protein. Using the specific poly-clonal antibody prepared and characterized by ourselves, we found that PTEN protein was significantly down-regulated in HCC tissues compared with paired para-carcinoma tissues. The protein expression of PTEN is negatively associated with the pathological grading and presence of cancer thrombus of HCC. CONCLUSIONS: Down-regulation of PTEN expression may play an important role in the development of HCC and the level of PTEN expression may be a potential adjuvant parameter in forecasting the progression and prognosis of HCC patients.