[A case of poisoning caused by intramuscular injection of esfenvalerate].

Esfenvalerate is a kind of commonly used highly effective pyrethroid insecticide. It is common for people who are poisoned by contact or misuse, but rarely reported for people who are poisoned by intramuscular injection. This paper reports a case of intramuscular injection of esfenvalerate in the Department of Infection, West China Hospital of Sichuan University in November 2021. The patient was intramuscularly injected with about 20 ml of esfenvalerate, inducing the sense of swelling and tingling, degeneration and necrosis of striated muscle tissue at the injection site, also liver function damage and other manifestations. The patient was discharged from hospital after rehydration, accelerating poison metabolism, anti-infection, liver protection and local puncture.

Blood transcriptome analysis and identification of genes associated with supernumerary teats in Chinese Holstein cows.

In dairy cows, supernumerary teats (SNT) are not desired as they are considered a repository for bacteria; thus, SNT are a risk factor for mastitis. Supernumerary teats are a heritable oligo- or polygenic trait. The incidence of SNT in offspring must be reduced by genomic selection. However, in modern dairy farming, farmers often ignore the effects of SNT on cows. The study aimed to elucidate the effects of SNT on dairy cows from the blood transcriptome level and identify genes associated with SNT in Chinese Holstein cows. We selected 6 SNT cows (Yes) and 6 non-SNT cows (No). In the 6 SNT cows, 3 cows had 1 SNT (One) and 3 cows had 2 SNT (Two). They were divided into 3 comparison groups (One vs. No; Two vs. No; and Yes vs. No). RNA was extracted from blood white membrane cells of 12 cows, and RNA sequencing was performed. Differential gene expression analysis based on the negative binomial distribution was used to detect differentially expressed genes in the One versus No and Two versus No comparison groups. Genes that were significantly upregulated or downregulated both in the One versus No and Two versus No groups (shared genes, SG) were obtained for further analysis. We also performed gene set enrichment analysis for all genes expressed in the Yes versus No group, correlation analysis between SG and the hematological parameters, protein-protein interaction network analysis of SG to select hub genes, and alternative splicing analysis for Yes versus No group to explore the functions of differentially spliced genes. We detected 289 SG. Gene set enrichment analysis, gene ontology, and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analysis results showed that SNT affect immunity, inflammation, and lactation-related pathways in dairy cows. Correlation analysis showed that LOC104968484, SLC25A6, GADD45G, BAX, APAF1, ATM, XIAP, MDM4, BDP1, CEP350, MED13, TAOK1, SMG1, and RIF1 are associated with white blood cell count and absolute value of lymphocytes in SNT cows only, so they might be genes associated with SNT in Chinese Holstein cows. We found 2 genes (BAX and MDM4) were also differentially spliced genes. However, the causal relationship between these genes and the SNT phenotype needs to be further studied. This study is the first to reveal the adverse effects of SNT on dairy cows at a transcriptional level, and the genes we found can be used as a reference for further searching for candidate genes for the SNT phenotype.

[Analysis of failure causes and countermeasures of automatic coagulation analyzer detection of thrombin time].

To study the failure alarm information displayed on the automatic coagulation analyzer (coagulation method) of thrombin time (TT), and formulate the coping strategies combined with clinical information. Methods: A total of 233 failed TT blood samples [132 males, 101 females, with a median age of 73 (66, 79) years] were selected from 21 359 inpatients in Peking University First Hospital from January to June 2021. The statistical analysis was made and the failure causes and solutions were summarized according to the coagulation curve and the error codes displayed on the coagulation instrument, in combination with the clinical information, sample characteristics, medication status and other reasons. Meanwhile, a total of 96 TT detection failed lipid blood samples [56 males, 40 females, with a median age of 72 (65, 79) years] were analyzed from the inpatients in Peking University First Hospital from July to November 2021. TT results were obtained by artificial coagulation curve interpretation method, magnetic bead method and high-speed centrifugal re-detection method, respectively. The TT results of the three methods were compared. Results: The proportion of 233 failed TT tests from the total number of samples was 1.1% (233/21 359). There were 41.2% (96/233) samples with lipids, 23.2% (54/233) samples with heparin interference, 22.3% (52/233) samples with oral anticoagulant, and 13.3% (31/233) samples with micro-coagulation or insufficient plasma volume among these test failure samples. The classifications for these alarm information of coagulation curves showed on the instrument were as follows: 32.6% (76/233) of samples with higher changes in absorbance at baseline (SD>2 mAbs), 30.5% (71/233) of samples without peak values of second derivative, 25.8% (60/233) of samples with absorbance difference<35 mAbs between baseline and plateau period, 8.6% (20/233) samples with too low starting point or no starting point, and 2.6% (6/233) samples without coagulation curves. Among these 233 samples, there were 55.8% (130/233) samples that could be manually judged according to the reaction principle and standard coagulation curve pattern. Among the 96 samples that failed in coagulation method due to lipemia, there were 78 samples with sufficient blood volume tested by magnetic bead method. The TT results of the high-speed centrifugal redetection method, artificial coagulation curve interpretation method and magnetic bead method were 14.10 (14.80, 13.38) s, 14.30 (14.99, 13.60) s, and 15.65 (17.25, 14.65) s, respectively, but the difference was not statistically significant (P=0.055). For 78 lipid samples, there was a correlation between the results of the artificial coagulation curve interpretation method and the results of magnetic bead method (r=0.99,P=0.001). Conclusions: For those samples failed in TT detection by coagulation method on automatic coagulation instrument, the cause of failure can be analyzed through coagulation curve and alarm information. For the lipid samples, TT results can be obtained by manual interpretation method, high-speed centrifugation method and magnetic bead method.

[Performance evaluation and validation of automated digital image analysis in peripheral blood cells morphology examination].

Objective: To verify and evaluate the performance of automated digital image(DIA) for peripheral blood cell morphology examination. Methods: Three hundred and seventy-nine routine peripheral blood smears and 18 plasmodium positive peripheral blood smears were collected. Blood smears were made and stained by Wright -Giemsa method.White blood cell (WBC) differentiation of blood smears were pre-classified by DIA (DIA direct classification), re-classified (manually reviewed after DIA classification), and artificially classified under microscope. the inter-assay and intra-assay coefficients of variation (CV) of DIA were respectively calculated for repeatability verification. Taking the artificial microscopy as the gold standard, the sensitivity、specificity and accuracy of DIA were calculated. The DIA ability of peripheral blood blast cell morphological count, platelet (PLT) morphological count and morphological examination of plasmodium were also verified. Results: Except for eosinophils and basophils, the inter-assay and intra-assay CV of WBC classification by DIA in normal samples were < 10%. The CV of WBC classification in abnormal samples increased with the decrease of cell percentage. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of DIA pre-classification were 90.5%, 99.2%, 98.2%. Through pre-classification and re-classification by DIA,the results of the blood smears which triggered blast cell alarm had a good correlation with manual classification(r=0.812, 0.983, both P<0.01). The PLT morphological count by DIA had high correlation with hematology analyzer (r=0.946, P<0.01). The deviation absolute value of two methods of PLT count was < 15%, while in PLT aggregation or giant thrombocytosis samples,the deviation absolute value of PLT count by two methods was > 15%. After image acquisition by DIA, 17 plasmodium trophozoites were detected in 18 plasmodium-positive peripheral blood smears, and the images were clear. Conclusions: The DIA system has good repeatability, high sensitivity, specificity and accuracy in peripheral blood WBC classification. Its pre-classification and re-classification results have high correlation with the manual classification results.

[Association between dietary vitamin A intake and gestational diabetes mellitus in the first trimester].

Objective: To investigate the relationship between dietary vitamin A intake and its sources in the first trimester and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Methods: A prospective study was conducted to select women at 6-14 weeks of gestation in an obstetric clinic of a maternal and child health care medical institution in Chengdu in 2017. The types and quantities of food during the first trimester were collected by 3-day 24-hour dietary recalls. Dietary vitamin A intake was calculated based on the Chinese Food Composition Table (2018), and it was divided into animal and plant vitamin A intakes according to its food sources. An oral glucose tolerance test was performed at 24-28 weeks of gestation to diagnose GDM according to the Chinese guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of gestational diabetes mellitus (2014). According to the estimated average requirement (EAR) and recommended nutrient intake (RNI), dietary vitamin A intake was divided into low-level group (RNI). Animal and plant vitamin A intakes were divided into four groups (Q1-Q4) according to the quartile method, respectively. The association between dietary vitamin A intake, its different sources of vitamin A intake and GDM in the first trimester was analyzed by log-binomial regression models. Results: A total of 1 298 valid samples were finally included. The average dietary vitamin A intake, animal and plant vitamin A intakes in the first trimester were 341.1 (227.8-501.0) µgRAE/d, 139.3 (69.6-195.3) µgRAE/d and 184.2 (99.4-301.1) µgRAE/d, respectively. After adjusting for confounding factors, log-binomial regression analysis showed that the risk of GDM in high-level group of dietary vitamin A intake was lower than that in low-level group [RR (95%CI):0.53 (0.36-0.80)]. Pregnant women in the highest quartile of animal vitamin A intake had a lower risk of GDM than those in the lowest quartile [RR (95%CI):0.66 (0.47-0.95)]. No relationship between plant vitamin A intake and GDM was found. Conclusion: Dietary vitamin A intake in the first trimester is associated with the occurrence of GDM, and higher intake than RNI may reduce the risk of GDM. Higher vitamin A intake from animal-derived food is associated with decreased risk of GDM.

[Difference analysis of somatic mutations between deficient mismatch repair and proficient mismatch repair gene related with colorectal cancer].

Objective: To analyze the difference of somatic mutation of DNA mismatch repair (MMR) protein deletion (dMMR) /integrity (pMMR) in colorectal cancer (CRC). Methods: A total of 93 cases of paraffin pathological tissue derived from CRC patients underwent surgical treatment and postoperative routine immunohistochemical diagnosed as dMMR in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University Medical College from January 2015 to January 2017 were collected and conducted the second-generation sequencing test. The expressions of 4 MMR proteins (MLH1, MSH2, MSH6 and PMS2) in CRC tissue were detected by immunohistochemistry method, and the immunohistochemistry results were re-interpreted according to the American Association of Pathologists (CAP) standard. Second-generation sequencing technology was used to detect somatic mutations of 41 genes in 93 cases of paraffin pathological CRC tissue, and Fisher's exact test was used to analyze the gene mutation differences between groups. Results: After re-evaluation according to CAP standard, 31 cases were divided into pMMR group and 62 cases in dMMR group among the 93 CRC patients. The medium number of gene mutations in the dMMR group was 9.5, higher than 3.0 of the pMMR group (P<0.001). Somatic mutation differences were found in 17 genes between the dMMR and pMMR groups, including breast cancer susceptibility genes 1 (BRCA1), BRCA2, MLH1, PDGFRA, PIK3CA, APC, ATM, KIT, MET, PMS2, MSH6, POLE, MSH2, PTCH1, epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFR), TP53 and ERBB2 genes. The pathogenic somatic mutation rates of BRAF, MLH1, MSH2 and MSH6 in the dMMR group were higher than those in the pMMR group [21.0% (13/62) vs 9.7% (3/31), 9.7% (6/62) vs 0 (0/31), 21.0% (13/62) vs 0 (0/31), 22.6% (14/62) vs 0 (0/31), P<0.05]. The mutation rate differences of BLM N515fs, BRAF V600E, PTCH1 R1308fs and KRAS G13D sites were statistically different between the dMMR group and the pMMR group [22.6% (14/62) vs 0 (0/31), 19.4% (12/62) vs 3.2% (1/31), 11.3% (7/62) vs 0 (0/31), 16.1% (10/62) vs 3.2% (1/31), P<0.05]. The mutation rates of 3 uncommon sites including BLM N515fs, MSH6 F1088fs and PTCH1 R1308fs were 28.2% (11/39), 15.4% (6/39) and 15.4% (6/39) in patients with dMMR who were missing MLH1 and PMS2 together, statistically different from all of 0 (0/31) in pMMR patients (P<0.05). Conclusions: CRC Patients with dMMR have more related gene somatic mutations. The BRAF V600E mutation is closely related to dMMR. KRAS G13D, BLM N515fs and PTCH1 R1308fs mutation sites are also associated with the expression of MMR proteins.

[Survival status and influencing factors of HIV/AIDS cases in Liuzhou, 2008-2018].

Objective: To understand the duration of survival and related influencing factors of HIV/AIDS patients in Liuzhou city. Methods: Both life table method and Kaplan-Meier method were used to calculate the average survival time of HIV/AIDS patients aged ≥15 years reported in Liuzhou city from 2008 to 2018. Factors related to the duration of HIV/AIDS patients were analyzed by univariate and multivariate Cox regression models. Results: A total of 14 856 patients with HIV/AIDS were involved in this study and with the average duration of survival time as 98.74 (95%CI: 97.73-99.75) months. The cumulative survival rates of 1, 3, 5 and 10 years were 77.0%, 72.0%, 68.0%, 61.0% respectively. Results from the multivariate Cox proportional risk regression analysis showed that factors as sex, level of education, age when HIV infection was confirmed, occupation, route of transmission, source of samples, results of the first CD(4) test and antiviral treatment were all related to the duration of survival to the HIV/AIDS patients. Conclusions: Strategies involving early detection of HIV infection, improvement of the CD(4) initial detection rate and early antiviral treatment will help to significantly reduce the risk of death in HIV/AIDS population. Focus should be on male, middle-aged and elderly (over 41 years old), junior high school education or below farmers and migrant worker populations.

[Relationship of early tumor shrinkage and depth of response with the prognosis and treatment effect of trastuzumab combined with chemotherapy as first-line treatment in advanced gastric cancer patients with epidermal growth factor receptor 2 positive].

Objective: To explore the relationship of early tumor shrinkage (ETS) and depth of response (DpR) with the prognosis and treatment effect of trastuzumab combined with chemotherapy as first-line treatment in advanced gastric cancer with epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2) positive. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical and pathological data of 23 patients with metastatic gastric adenocarcinoma diagnosed by imaging in The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine from January 1st, 2008 to December 31th, 2017. Kaplan-Meier method and the log-rank test were used for the survival analysis. Cox regression was used to analyze the factors associated with prognosis. Results: The objective response rate (ORR) of the 23 patients was 43.5% and the disease control rate (DCR) was 82.6%. Univariate analysis showed the median progress-free survival (mPFS) of ETS≥20% and ETS<20% were 13.0 months and 4.5 months, respectively, with statistical significance (P<0.001). The median overall survival (mOS) of ETS≥20% and ETS<20% were 26.8 months and 10.1 months, respectively, with statistical significance (P<0.001). The median progress-free survival (mPFS) of DpR≥15% and DpR<15% were 13.0 months and 4.5 months, respectively, with statistical significance (P=0.001). The median overall survival (mOS) of DpR≥15% and DpR<15% were 26.8 months and 9.5 months, respectively, with statistical significance (P<0.001). Multivariable Cox regression analysis revealed ETS was an independent factor of PFS (P=0.030), tumor site and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) score were independent factors of OS (P<0.05). Conclusion: ETS and DpR might be used to predict the treatment efficacy and prognosis of trastuzumab combined with chemotherapy as the first-line treatment of HER-2 positive gastric cancer.

[A study on the correlation between medical staff engagement, perceived organizational support and turnover intention].

Objective: To explore the relationship between medical staff's engagement, perceived organizational support and turnover intention. Methods: In May 2019, 600 medical and nursing staff from a tertiary hospital in Tianjin were selected by random sampling method. The questionnaire survey was conducted by using Gallup Q12 questionnaire, perceived organizational support scale and turnover intention scale. The correlation between engagement, organizational support and turnover intention was analyzed by person correlation analysis and regression analysis, and multivariate stepwise linear analysis was used for multiple factor analysis Return. Results: the total average scores of engagement, sense of organizational support and turnover intention were (2.18±0.56) , (3.48±0.72) and (2.71±0.67) respectively. There was a positive correlation between engagement and perceived organizational support (r=0.674, P<0.01) , and negatively correlated with turnover intention (R=-0.416, -0.487, P<0.05) . The factors of turnover intention were engagement and organizational support (F=54.673, 81.558, P<0.01) . Perceived organizational support partially mediated the relationship between engagement and turnover intention (P<0.01) . Conclusion: The engagement and organizational support of medical staff are related to turnover intention.

Comparison of dermoscopic features between congenital and acquired acral melanocytic nevi in Korean patients.

BACKGROUND: The dermoscopic patterns of acral melanocytic nevi (AMNs) are crucial in differentiating them from acral melanoma. Several studies have reported the dermoscopic patterns of acquired acral melanocytic nevi (AAMNs). However, few have investigated the dermoscopic patterns of congenital acral melanocytic nevi (CAMNs). OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical and dermoscopic features of CAMNs and AAMNs. METHODS: The present study included 43 patients with CAMNs and 40 with AAMNs. We reviewed their medical records as well as their clinical and dermoscopic findings. RESULTS: Congenital acral melanocytic nevis were more asymmetrical than AAMNs (P = 0.002) and presented more frequently as comma-shaped (P = 0.005). Regarding dermoscopic findings, globular pattern (55.8%) was the most common feature of CAMNs, while parallel furrow pattern (37.5%) was the most common feature of AAMNs. The presence of fibrillar, globular, and parallel ridge patterns, and diffuse multi-component pigmentation differed significantly between the groups (P < 0.05). Furthermore, CAMNs showed melanoma-specific dermoscopic patterns, such as parallel ridge (18.6%) and diffuse multi-component pigmentation (25.6%). CONCLUSION: The dermoscopic patterns of CAMNs and AAMNs differed markedly. In terms of dermoscopic patterns, CAMNs resembled acral melanoma more often than AAMNs did.

[Application of machine learning models in predicting early stone-free rate after flexible ureteroscopic lithotripsy for renal stones].

OBJECTIVE: To establish predictive models based on random forest and XGBoost machine learning algorithm and to investigate their value in predicting early stone-free rate (SFR) after flexible ureteroscopic lithotripsy (fURL) in patients with renal stones. METHODS: The clinical data of 201 patients with renal stones who underwent fURL were retrospectively investigated. According to the stone-free standard, the patients were divided into stone-free group (SF group) and stone-residual group (SR group). We compared a number of factors including patient age, body mass index (BMI), stone number, stone volume, stone density and hydronephrosis between the two groups. For low calyceal calculi, renal anatomic parameters including infundibular angle (IPA), infundibular width (IW), infundibular length (IL) and pelvic calyceal height (PCH), would be measured. We brought above potential predictive factors into random forest and XGBoost machine learning algorithm respectively to develop two predictive models. The receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC curve) was established in order to test the predictive ability of the model. Clinical data of 71 patients were collected prospectively to validate the predictive models externally. RESULTS: In this study, 201 fURL operations were successfully completed. The one-phase early SFR was 61.2%. We built two predictive models based on random forest and XGBoost machine learning algorithm. The predictive variables' importance scores were obtained. The area under the ROC curve (AUROC) of the two predictive models for early stone clearance status prediction was 0.77. In the study, 71 test samples were used for external validation. The results showed that the total predictive accuracy, predictive specificity and predictive sensitivity of the random forest and XGBoost models were 75.7%, 82.6%, 60.0%, and 81.4%, 87.0%, 68.0%, respectively. The first four predictive variables in importance were stone volume, mean stone density, maximal stone density and BMI in both random forest and XGBoost predictive models. CONCLUSION: The predictive models based on random forest and XGBoost machine learning algorithm can predict postoperative early stone status after fURL for renal stones accurately, which will facilitate preoperative evaluation and clinical decision-making. Stone volume, mean stone density, maximal stone density and BMI may be the important predictive factors affecting early SFR after fURL for renal stones.

Light-induced systemic signalling down-regulates photosynthetic performance of soybean leaves with different directional effects.

When plants are exposed to a heterogeneous environment, photosynthesis of leaves is not only determined by their local condition, but also by certain signals from other parts of the same plant, termed systemic regulation. Our present study was conducted to investigate the effects of light-dependent systemic regulation on the photosynthetic performance of soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.) under heterogeneous light conditions. Soybean plants were treated with heterogeneous light. Then gas exchange characteristics were measured to evaluate the photosynthetic performance of leaves. Parameters related to photosynthetic pigments, chlorophyll fluorescence, Rubisco and photosynthates were examined to study the mechanisms of light-dependent systemic regulation on photosynthesis. Light-induced systemic signalling by illuminated leaves reduced the Pn of both upper and lower non-illuminated leaves on the same soybean plant. The decrease in gs and increase in Ci in these non-illuminated leaves indicated restriction of carbon assimilation, which was further verified by the decline in content and activity of Rubisco. However, the activation state of Rubisco decreased only in upper non-illuminated leaves. Quantum efficiency of PSII (ΦPSII) and ETR also decreased only in upper non-illuminated leaves. Moreover, the effects of light-induced systemic signalling on carbohydrate content were also detectable only in upper non-illuminated leaves. Light-induced systemic signalling by illuminated leaves restricts carbon assimilation and down-regulates photosynthetic performance of non-illuminated leaves within a soybean plant. However, effects of such systemic regulation differed when regulated in upward or downward direction.

Anti-Müllerian hormone inhibits activation and growth of bovine ovarian follicles in vitro and is localized to growing follicles.

STUDY QUESTION: Does anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) inhibit activation (initiation of growth) of primordial follicles and attenuate the growth of primary follicles in cattle, an excellent animal model for human ovarian follicular development? SUMMARY ANSWER: AMH inhibited activation of bovine primordial follicles and attenuated the growth of activated follicles in vitro. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: In mice null mutant for AMH, the pool of primordial follicles is depleted prematurely and AMH inhibits follicle activation in vitro. Results of studies with human ovarian tissue in vitro were inconsistent. Our previous work provided indirect evidence that AMH inhibits follicle activation in bovine ovaries. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: Pieces of fetal bovine ovarian cortex (2 pieces/culture well), obtained during mid or late pregnancy, were cultured in control medium or with graded doses of AMH for 2, 10 or 12 days. Effects of treatment on follicle activation and growth were determined by histological morphometry; follicles in every 20th histological section were staged (primordial or primary), counted, and measured. In addition, AMH was immunolocalized in bovine ovaries obtained at various times during pregnancy (n = 20 ovaries). PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: Bovine fetal ovaries at mid or late gestation were obtained at a commercial abattoir. Pieces of ovarian cortex were cultured without or with AMH and fixed for histological morphometry on Day 0 and at the end of culture. Treatments were applied to duplicate cultures from each of two or three fetuses. In 12-day cultures, addition of AMH was delayed until the third day. Histological analysis provided information about the types, numbers and sizes of follicles in cortical pieces before and after treatments. Ovaries obtained during the second and third trimesters were assessed for the presence of AMH by immunohistochemistry. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: AMH (100-500 ng/ml) inhibited follicle activation in response to an activator (insulin) in ovarian cortical pieces from fetal ovaries in late gestation. Dose-dependent inhibitory effects on the diameters of primary follicles and their oocytes were also observed. These results were obtained only when AMH was added to cultures in advance of insulin (presumably because it penetrates tissue more slowly than insulin). Results of experiments with cortical pieces from fetal ovaries at mid-gestation, when follicles are forming, showed that AMH did not inhibit the formation of follicles. Immunohistochemical localization of AMH showed that it is not present in fetal ovaries until the third trimester, when it was localized to the granulosa cells of secondary and small antral follicles. LIMITATIONS REASONS FOR CAUTION: The experiments were performed with fetal ovaries because follicles form and follicle activation begins during fetal life in cattle (as it does in humans), so fetal ovarian cortex of later gestation provides tissue rich in primordial follicles. We assume, but have no experimental evidence, that our findings also apply to post-natal ovaries. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: Although circulating AMH is used as an indication of the follicular reserve in women, little is known about AMH in human ovaries. Cattle are an excellent non-primate model for human ovarian follicular development and, hence, the findings suggest similar roles for AMH in human follicular development. LARGE SCALE DATA: Not applicable. STUDY FUNDNG/COMPETING INTEREST(S): This research was supported by National Research Initiative Competitive Grants no. 00-35203-9151, 2003-35203-13532, and 2008-35203-05989) from the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture to JEF and by an NIH National Research Service Award (F32 HD08264) to RAC. There are no conflicts of interest or competing interests.

The clinical and histopathological characteristics of early-onset basal cell carcinoma in Asians.

BACKGROUND: Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is by far the most common cancer in white populations. In addition, recent reports have demonstrated an increasing incidence of BCC in Korea. We have observed a significant number of early-onset BCC cases in which the disease occurred in patients younger than 50 years. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinicopathological characteristics of early-onset BCC in an Asian population, specifically in Koreans. METHODS: One hundred and five patients with early-onset BCC were enrolled from a total of 1047 BCC patients who underwent surgery between January 1997 and December 2014 (942 patients over the age of 50 years were designated as the control group). RESULTS: Early-onset BCC accounted for 10.03% of all 1047 cases and the incidence over time displayed an incremental trend. The early-onset group displayed similar results as the control group, with a predominance of female BCC patients and the majority of tumours displaying the following characteristics: small in size, occurring in sun-exposed areas and belonging to the noduloulcerative clinical subtype and nodular histopathological subtype. In comparison with a previous study in a Western population, the incidence of the disease in non-exposed areas of the body, as well as the proportion of tumours of the superficial histological subtype, were lower in Asian patients. CONCLUSION: Although the clinicopathological characteristics of BCC are well-known, these characteristics have not been determined for early-onset BCC in an Asian population. Therefore, this study is the first report on early-onset BCC in Asians, specifically in a Korean patient group.

[The effect of curcumin on the expression of miR-155 to apoptosis and invasion of extravillus trophoblast cells treated by lipopolysaccharide].

Objective: To investigate the effect of curcumin on the expression of miR-155, apoptosis and invasion of extravillus trophoblast cells treated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Methods: Human trophoblast cells (HTR-8/SVneo cells) were divided into 4 groups, the curcumin + LPS group (pre-treated by curcumin of 12.5, 25, 50 µmol/L, then LPS of 100 ng/ml), the LPS group (100 ng/ml), the recombinant adenovirus group (miR-155, multiplicity of infection100) and the control group. The miR-155 level in HTR-8/SVneo cells was measured by real-time PCR, and the expression of NF-κB was analyzed by luciferase gene expression. The apoptosis of HTR-8/SVneo cells was tested by cell death detection ELISA and the level of NF-κB in HTR-8/SVneo cells was measured by western blot. In addition, transwell was used to test the invasive ability of HTR-8/SVneo cells in all the groups. Results: (1) The intracellular expression of miR-155 in the LPS group was (2.13±0.22) times of the control group (P<0.01); and the expressions of miR-155 in 12.5, 25, 50 µmol/L curcumin+LPS groups were (0.37±0.08) , (0.68±0.14) , (0.49±0.09) times as the LPS group, with statistically significant difference (P<0.05). (2) The expreesion of NF-κB in the LPS group was (2.25±0.56) times of the control group. The expreesion of NF-κB in the 12.5, 25, 50 µmol/L curcumin+LPS groups were (0.80±0.07) , (0.74±0.05) , (0.49±0.19) times to the LPS group, with statistically significant difference(P<0.01). (3)The p65 protein in the LPS group was (1.50±0.22) , significantly higher than the control group (0.95±0.25, P<0.01) . In 12.5, 25, 50 µmol/L curcumin+LPS groups, the p65 protein were (0.31±0.07) , (0.75±0.14) , (0.49±0.08) . Compared with the LPS group, p65 was down-regulated by curcumin, with statistically significant difference (P<0.05). (4) In the cell death detection ELISA, the A value in the control group, the LPS group and the recombined adenovirus group were (0.89±0.17) , (2.02±0.35) and (1.67±0.48) , respectively, with statistically significant difference (P<0.05). In the curcumin+LPS groups, when the curcumin concentrations were 25 or 50 µmol/L, the A value were (0.74±0.05) , (0.49±0.09) , respectively, compared with the LPS group(set as 1.00), with statistically significant difference (P<0.05). When the curcumin concentration was 12.5 µmol/L, the A value was (0.80±0.07) , with no statistical significance (P>0.05). (5) The transmembrane cells were (47±8), (60±14) in the LPS group and the recombined adenovirus group, respectively. Compared with the control group (169±18), the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). In the curcumin + LPS groups, the transmembrane cells were (143±10), (137±10) when the curcumin concentrations were 12.5, 25 µmol/L, significantly higher than the LPS group (P<0.05) . The transmembrane cells were (55±7) when the curcumin concentration was 50 µmol/L, with no statistical difference(P>0.05). Conclusion: The treatment of curcumin could downregulate the expression of NF-κB/miR-155, thus inhibit NF-κB signal pathway and the apoptosis of extravillus trophoblast cells, and protect their invasive ability.

Effect of high pressure treatment on the aging characteristics of Chinese liquor as evaluated by electronic nose and chemical analysis.

Several high pressure (HP) treatments (100-400 MPa; 15 and 30 min) were applied to Chinese "Junchang" liquor, and aging characteristics of the liquor were evaluated. Results from the principal component analysis and the discriminant factor analysis of E-Nose demonstrated that HP treatment at 300 and 400 MPa resulted in significant (p < 0.05) changes in aroma components of the liquor. An increase in total ester content and a decrease in total acid content were observed for all treated samples (p < 0.05), which was verified by gas chromatography analysis. In addition, a slight decrease in alcohol content was found for HP treatment at 400 MPa for 30 min. These changes and trends were in accordance with the natural aging process of Chinese liquor. However, HP treatment caused a slight increase in solid content, which might be somewhat undesirable. Sensory evaluation results confirmed that favorable changes in color and flavor of Chinese liquor were induced by HP treatment; however, overall gaps still existed between the quality of treated and six-year aged samples. HP treatment demonstrated a potential to accelerate the natural aging process for Chinese liquor, but long term studies may be needed further to realize the full potential.

Growth under elevated air temperature alters secondary metabolites in Robinia pseudoacacia L. seedlings in Cd- and Pb-contaminated soils.

Plant secondary metabolites play a pivotal role in growth regulation, antioxidant activity, pigment development, and other processes. As the global climate changes, increasing atmospheric temperatures and contamination of soil by heavy metals co-occur in natural ecosystems, which alters the pH of rhizosphere soil and influences the bioavailability and mobility of metals. Elevated temperatures in combination with heavy metals are expected to affect plant secondary metabolites, but this issue has not been extensively examined. Here, we investigated secondary metabolites in Robiniapseudoacacia seedlings exposed to elevated temperatures using a passive warming device in combination with Cd- and Pb-contaminated soils. Heavy metals significantly stimulated the accumulation of saponins, phenolic compounds, and flavonoids in leaves and stems; alkaloid compounds increased in leaves and decreased in stems, and condensed tannins fluctuated. Elevated temperatures, alone and in combination with Cd and Pb, caused increases in secondary metabolites in the plant tissues. Phenolic compounds showed the greatest changes among the secondary metabolites and significant interactive effects of temperature and metals were observed. These results suggest that slightly elevated temperature could enhance protective and defense mechanisms of Robinia pseudoacacia seedlings exposed to heavy metals by stimulating the production of secondary metabolites.

Association of tumor necrosis factor-α 308G/A polymorphism with urogenital cancer risk: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

We integrated all the eligible studies and investigated whether the TNF-α 308G/A polymorphism correlates with urogenital cancer risk. Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) is a risk factor for some urogenital cancers; however, in prostate and bladder cancers the results are controversial. PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, the Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, and the Wanfang Database were searched for all case-control studies on the relationship between the TNF-α 308G/A polymorphism and susceptibility to urogenital cancer between January 1994 and January 2015. The pooled odds ratio with 95% confidence interval was calculated to assess the associations. A total of 504 articles were found, 39 of which involved 11,613 cases and 12,542 controls that fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Overall, the TNF-α 308G/A polymorphism was significantly associated with the risk of urogenital cancer. In the subgroup analysis for different cancer types, significant associations were found in cervical cancer and urothelial carcinoma, while our meta-analysis indicated that there were no significant associations between the TNF-α 308G/A polymorphism and prostate, bladder, or renal cancers. When stratified by ethnicity, significant associations were observed in Caucasian populations, whereas no significant associations were found in African-Americans, Asians, or mixed populations. Furthermore, carriers of the -308A allele among the hospital-based case-control group were at a high risk of urogenital cancer. Our meta-analysis showed that the TNF-α 308G/A polymorphism was significantly associated with urogenital cancer risk, particularly in the Caucasian and hospital-based populations.