IFNG and IFNGR1 polymorphisms are associated with tuberculosis: a case-control study.

OBJECTIVE: Previous studies suggested that single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of interferon gamma (IFNG) and its receptor IFNGR1 may be involved in the pathogenesis of tuberculosis (TB). We aimed to examine the association of IFNG gene polymorphisms with TB in the Tibetan population and use the machine learning method to establish a clinical prediction model of TB. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 613 TB patients and 603 healthy controls were selected for the study. Associations between SNPs and TB were analyzed using logistic regression, adjusted for sex and age. Clinical data and SNPs were integrated to construct a TB prediction model using random forest (RF) machine learning. RESULTS: For IFNG, rs1861494 CT was a protective factor against TB compared with TT genotype (p = 0.010). The rs1861494 C allele was a protective factor for TB (p = 0.010). For IFNGR1, the rs3799488 C allele reduced the risk of TB by 30% (p < 0.001). rs9376267 CT (p = 0.005) and TT (p = 0.001) genotypes were protective factors for TB. Compared with the rs1327475 GG genotype, the frequency of the GA genotype in the case group significantly differed from the controls (p = 0.013). rs2234711 GA (p < 0.001), AA (p < 0.001) genotype and A (p < 0.001) alleles were also associated with TB. Finally, five markers are identified using the RF model. The area under the curve (AUC) reaches 0.6 in the training set and 0.59 in the test set. CONCLUSIONS: Our study found that IFNG and IFNGR1 gene polymorphisms were associated with TB in a Tibetan population. The results also demonstrate the potential of clinical-SNPs as diagnostic tools for TB.

Titanium-coated mesh versus standard polypropylene mesh in laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair: a prospective, randomized, controlled clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to compare the clinical outcome of titanium-coated mesh and polypropylene mesh in laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair. METHODS: A total of 102 patients who received laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair in January-June 2016 in Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital were enrolled in this study. Patients were randomly divided into two groups, receiving either titanium-coated mesh (n = 50) or standard polypropylene mesh (n = 52). Multiple clinical parameters were collected and analyzed, including clinical manifestations, operative time, intraoperative blood loss, hospital stay, hospital cost, recovery time, and postoperative complications. RESULTS: All procedures were completed. A statistical difference between two groups was not identified in regards to operative time, intraoperative blood loss, hospital stay, and recovery time (P > 0.05). Three cases with seroma and 15 with foreign body sensation were reported in the titanium-coated mesh group; 9 cases with seroma and 17 with foreign body sensation were reported in the standard polypropylene mesh group. There was no significant difference in the incidence of seroma and/or foreign body sensation. A lower hospital cost but longer recovery period was documented in the standard polypropylene mesh group (P < 0.05). No recurrence, infection or chronic pain was observed during 1-year follow-up in both groups. CONCLUSION: Titanium-coated mesh possesses comparable clinical qualities as the standard polypropylene mesh but with a shorter recovery period. Therefore, this mesh is promising for clinical practice though the cost is higher than the standard polypropylene mesh.

Clinical analysis of 59 children with hand foot and mouth diseases due to enterovirus EV71 and concomitant viral encephalitis.

OBJECTIVE: To analyzed the clinical features of children with HFMD and viral encephalitis and to summarize some treatments. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 59 children with HFMD were included in this study. All children underwent complete blood count, blood biochemical test cerebrospinal fluid examination, chest X-ray and brain MRI. RESULTS: One child died 24 hours after admission due to central respiratory failure with myocardial damage. After the treatment, 58 children had normal temperature, resolved rash, normal complete blood count, biochemical blood tests and cerebrospinal fluid test, respiratory and circulatory symptoms and signs, as well as neurological symptoms, disappeared. The hospitalization time was 12-21 days. After follow-up for 1-3 months, all children were recovered, and without any severe sequelae. CONCLUSIONS: HFMD and the complicated viral encephalitis usually occurred in the children < 3 years old. The clinical manifestations were not typical. Monitoring of the child's clinical symptoms, signs and relevant examinations was required.

Down-regulation of miR-124 target protein SCP-1 inhibits neuroglioma cell migration.

OBJECTIVE: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been widely studied as a potential cancer agent, but its efficacy does not get improvement due to poor targeting. miRNAs have been reported to play multiple roles in the development of the tumor. miR-124 is expressed in various tumor. This study aimed to elucidate the expression of miR-124 in neuroglioma cells as well as its related mechanism. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Expression of miR-124 in neuroglioma cells was assessed by Quantitative PCR (q-PCR). Astrocytes (RA cells) were used as control group. The relationship between miR-124 and SCP-1 was explored with bioinformatics tools. Luciferase reporter assay was performed to examine the expression of miR-124 target protein SCP-1. Gene interference technology was used to regulate expression of miR-124 and SCP-1 in neuroglioma cells, and q-PCR was performed to confirm gene interference effects. Migration of miR-124 and SCP-1 in neuroglioma cell was measured by wound healing assay and cell migration test. RESULTS: Compared with control group, the expressions of miR-124 (p=0.0015) and SCP-1 (p=0.0042) were higher in neuroglioma cells. Luciferase reporter assay proved that SCP-1 was the target of miR-124. Wound healing assay and migration test showed down-regulation of SCP-1 inhibited neuroglioma cell migration. Down-regulation of miR-124 didn't influence neuroglioma cell migration movement. CONCLUSIONS: miR-124 and SCP-1 in neuroglioma cell were highly expressed. MiR-124 impeded the progression of neuroglioma via down-regulating SCP-1.

Effect of glucocorticoid combined with gamma globulin in treatment of children with myasthenia gravis and its effects on immune globulin and complement of children.

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the effects glucocorticoid combined with gamma globulins in the treatment of children with myasthenia gravis and its effects on immune globulin and complement of children. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Clinical data of 70 cases of childhood myasthenia gravis in this hospital were retrospectively analyzed. These cases were randomly divided into observation group and control group. For observation group, there were methylprednisolone and gamma globulins while the only methylprednisolone in the control group. The clinical effects and changes in immune globulin and complement of two groups were observed. RESULTS: The total effective rate for observation group was 94.3% and 74.3% for the control group, and this difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05) The time for relief of symptoms (6.55 ± 1.35 days) and total hospital stay (17.15 ± 3.65 days) in observation group was apparently shorter than the control group, with statistical significance (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Glucocorticoid and gamma globulin can improve the symptoms and achieve satisfying clinical effects for the treatment of myasthenia gravis in children. Thus, it is valuable for further popularization and application.

Comparison of impact on seizure frequency and epileptiform discharges of children with epilepsy from topiramate and phenobarbital.

OBJECTIVE: To study the impact on seizure frequency and epileptiform discharges of children with epilepsy from topiramate (TPM) and phenobarbital (PB). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Two hundred cases children with epilepsy from August 2010 to August 2013 in our hospital were sampled and randomly divided into two groups. The observation group was treated with TPM while the control group with PB, and then comparing seizure frequency, efficiency, and adverse reactions of two groups. RESULTS: The reduced number of partial seizures, generalized seizures, and total seizures in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group, and the rate of cure, markedly effective and total efficiency in observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group. However, the adverse reactions in observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group. Thus, differences were statistically significant (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Compared with PB, TPM showed a better effect on epilepsy treatment with less adverse reactions which were worthy of clinical recommendation.