Germline mutation analysis in the CYLD gene in Chinese patients with multiple trichoepitheliomas.

Trichoepithelioma is a benign neoplasm that primarily shows follicular germinative differentiation. Classic trichoepithelioma typically presents as a skin-colored papule or nodule on the face or upper trunk; lesions have a predilection for the nose. Trichoepithelioma can be sporadic or familial and solitary or multiple. Most previously reported multiple trichoepithelioma cases are familial, and germline CYLD mutations could be detected in some patients. We performed mutational analysis of the germline CYLD gene in 8 Chinese multiple trichoepitheliomas patients, 6 of which were sporadic cases. A heterozygous missense mutation (c.1112C>A) in the 9th exon of the CYLD gene was detected in some mother-daughter patients. However, the germline CYLD mutation could not be detected in the 6 non-familial cases. The results suggest that the pathogenesis of sporadic multiple trichoepitheliomas may differ from that of familial cases. Our findings also further confirmed the genetic heterogeneity of multiple trichoepitheliomas.

Optimization of preparative conditions for poly-DL-lactide- polyethylene glycol microspheres with entrapped Vibrio cholera antigens.

Poly-dl-lactide-polyethylene glycol (PELA) with different contents of polyethylene glycol(PEG) were synthesized and the PEG content was estimated according to the integral height of hydrogen shown in 1H-NMR. PELA microspheres containing V. cholera antigen, outer membrane protein (OMP) were prepared by a water-in-oil-in-water (W/O/W) based on solvent evaporation procedure. Antigen microspheres with smooth surface, suitable size for oral administration (0.5-5 microm), high loading efficiency (about 60%) and low level of residual solvent (lower than 20ppm) were obtained. Microspheres prepared from PELA with PEG content of about 10% achieved the highest loading efficiency among PELA copolymers and poly-dl-lactide (PLA) homopolymer, which suggested that microspheres size, morphology and the precipitation rate of polymer showed considerable relations with OMP loading efficiency. The regulation of the solvent components of the oil phase contributes to a stable emulsion W/O, and it is concluded that the stable emulsion W/O plays a significant role in improving the protein loading efficiency of obtained microspheres. The addition of stabilizer, such as gelatin and polyvinyl alcohol, into the internal water phase before emulsification produced no significant difference in OMP entrapment and microspheres size. A higher OMP loading efficiency was achieved by adding NaCl or adjusting the pH at the iso-electric point of OMP in the external water phase. It was indicated in vitro that PELA microspheres with smaller size showed larger extent of initial release and higher release rate, whereas microspheres with the diameter of 2.17 microm showed no apparent burst effect.

Anthropogenic atmospheric nickel emissions and its distribution characteristics in China.

Nickel and its compounds are considered as potential human carcinogens, and atmospheric nickel is one of the major routes for human exposure. By applying the best available fuel-based or product-based emission factors and annual activity levels, a multiple-year comprehensive inventory of anthropogenic atmospheric nickel emissions in China is presented with temporal trend and spatial resolutions for the period of 1980-2009 from both fuels combustion sources and industrial producing processes. We estimate that the total atmospheric nickel emissions from all the sources have increased from 1096.07 t in 1980 to 3933.71 t in 2009, at an average annual growth rate of 4.5%. Therein, coal combustion is the leading source, attributing 63.4% of the national total nickel emissions in 2009; liquid fuels consumption ranks the second, contributing 12.4% of the totals; biofuels burning accounts for 8.4% and the remaining sources together contribute 15.8% of the totals. Significant spatial variations are demonstrated among provincial emissions and the most concentrated regions are the highly industrialized and densely populated areas like the Yangtze River Delta, the Pearl River Delta and the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. Moreover, the overall uncertainties are estimated at -32.6%-37.7% by using Monte Carlo simulation, most of which come from non-ferrous metals smelting category, implying the urgent need for further investigation and field tests. This article may help to combat the increasing stress on air heavy metals pollution in China and provide useful information to calculate global mass balance models for hazardous trace elements.

[Clinical evaluation of frozen-phalanx-joint-tendon-sheath composite tissue allograft].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate clinical result of reconstructed thumb and finger with a free hallux nail flap(HNF) and frozen-phalanx-joint-tendon-sheath composite tissue allograft in 270 cases. METHODS: The patients were followed up with reexamination in the ambulant clinic, communication, X-ray photography, lab-examination, isotope 99mTc MDP and reoperation. The data were analyzed by statistics or proved by clinical observation, which were followed up for five years in average (ranging from five months to sixteen years). RESULTS: Enveloping the allogeneic finger composite tissue with self-HNF and pieces of phalanx of great toe, it could reconstruct a thumb or finger with good contour and nutrition. The excellent rate of opposition function of the reconstructed thumbs was 71.91%. The sense of the fingers recovered after 3 months to 8 months of operation. Two-point discrimination was 3 mm to 15 mm. The junction between implanted allo-phalanges and auto-phalanges could be hastened by implanted with vascularized autogenous phalanx pieces in the HNF. The isotope 99mTc MDP was used to take X-ray photography in 24 cases for four months to 9 years and seven months, which showed that the blood vessels grew into the allo-phalanges. However, the Charcot's arthropathy of allogeneic joints and bony absorption still could be seen in some cases. That might be concerned with chronic abrasion of joint or chronic rejection of host to graft. CONCLUSION: The operation is fit for repairing the defect of thumb or finger in any degree. The implanted vascularized self-phalanx pieces can promote bone union, but it can not prevent the allogeneic joints from arthropathy or bone absorption.