Journal of Nanjing Medical University最新文献

Objective

Nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate(NSCL/P) is a common birth defect with unclear etiology. Both genetic and environmental factors may contribute to NSCL/P. Many genes have been identified as candidate genes associated with this disease. Interferon regulatory factor 6(IRF6) gene and transforming growth factor-a(TGFA) gene seem to be crucial in the predisposition of NSCL/P. Here we evaluated some single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs) loci of TGFA and IRF6 genes in Chinese nuclear families consisting of fathers, mothers and affected offspring with NSCL/P.

Methods

Fifty patients of NSCL/P were confirmed by the plastic surgeons. They and their parents were included in the study, all with the informed consents. SNPs loci of TGFA and IRF6 genes were analyzed by microarray technology. Some PCR products were randomly chosen and sequenced to check microarray results. The distribution of gene type and allele frequency between patient group and parents group were compared. Then a Haplotype Relative Risk(HRR) and Transmission Disequilibrium Test(TDT) were performed.

Results

The sequences of randomly selected PCR products were all consistent with the microarray results. All loci were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. There were no significant differences in the distribution of genotypes and alleles between patients and their parents. Using HRR and TDT analyses the V274I of IRF6 was associated with NSCL/P, while another SNP locus of IRF6 was not. Strong evidence of linkage disequilibrium was found between the 2 SNP loci of TGFA and disease with the HRR analysis, but not with the TDT analysis.

Conclusion

Our study confirms the contribution of IRF6 in the etiology of NSCL/P in populations of Asian ancestry. The association of TGFA with NSCL/P requires further research.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide. Even with the applications of excision, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and gene therapy, the 5 year survival rate is only 15% in the USA. Clinically relevant laboratory animal models of the disease could greatly facilitate understanding of the pathogenesis of lung cancer, its progression, invasion and metastasis. Transplanted lung cancer models are of special interest and are widely used today. Such models are essential tools in accelerating development of new therapies for lung cancer. In this communication we will present a brief overview of the hosts, sites and pathways used to establish transplanted animal lung tumor models.

Objective

To explore the relationships between the daily total intake of fluoride, dental fluorosis and dental caries.

Methods

An epidemiological method was used to investigate the daily total intake of fluoride, dental fluorosis, and dental caries among 236 and 290 children aged 8-13 years in a severe endemic area and in a non-fluorosis control area, respectively. The children were divided into eight subgroups according to each child's estimated daily total intake of fluoride. The prevalence of dental fluorosis and dental caries in each group was calculated.

Results

As expected, elevated levels of fluoride intake were significantly associated with a higher prevalence of dental fluorosis and an increasing amount of more severe defect dental fluorosis. When the daily total F intake was 2.78 mg/child/day, the prevalence of dental fluorosis was nearly 100%, with the prevalence of defect dental fluorosis increasing with increasing fluoride intake. There was also a significant negative(inverse) dose-response relationship between the daily total intake of fluoride and the overall prevalence of dental caries, the prevalence of which decreased when the daily total intake of fluoride increased up to 3.32 mg/child/day. However, at higher levels of daily total intake of fluoride the prevalence of dental caries increased, giving rise to a U-shaped dose-response relationship curve.

Conclusion

It is important to monitor total fluoride exposure and protect children from excessive fluoride intake, especially during the years of tooth development.

Objective

This paper was designed to confirm the efficacy of chewing carboxymethyl chitosan(CMCTS)-containing gum in suppressing the growth of oral bacteria when compared to a CMCTS-containing mouth rinse.

Methods

Fourteen healthy subjects were recruited from among the staff and students of Qingdao University Dentistry Department. Before the experiments saliva was collected from all subjects and bacteria counts determined. For the gum study, the subjects chewed CMCTS-containing gum for 5 min and then rested for 5 min. When testing the CMCTS mouth rinse, the subjects gargled with 10 mL of solution for 30 s, followed by resting for 9min 30 s. These protocols were repeated five times over a 50 min period on the same day. Post-experiment saliva samples were then collected at the following times: 0, 30 and 60 min.

Results

Chewing gum containing CMCTS or rinsing with a CMCTS-containing rinse significantly decreased oral bacteria counts. The total bacteria counts, total Streptococci counts, and mutans streptococci counts of saliva from subjects who chewed CMCTS-containing gum were significantly lower than saliva from subjects in the rinse group in all three sampling periods, except in the case of the total bacteria count in the 60 min samples.

Conclusion

CMCTS-containing gum chewing has a greater antibacterial effect than using a CMCTS-containing mouth rinse. The present findings strongly indicate that the application of natural materials such as chitosan and its derivatives is useful for better oral health.

The rising incidence of esophageal adenocarcinoma(EAC) in the world has led to continued interest in its precursor lesion, Barrett's esophagus(BE). This review endeavors to summarize the recent advances in the therapy of BE with an emphasis on novel endoscopic therapies.

Objective

To determine epidemiologic features of an Escherichia coli O157:H7 outbreak occurred in Xuzhou, Jiangsu Province, China in 1999, and assess the incidence of E. coli O157:H7 in diarrhea patients and host animals and its relationship with disease onset, and provide a scientific basis for establishing prevention and control strategies.

Methods

Epidemiological, microbiological, and molecular methods were performed to identify risk factors and describe the ecology of E. coli O157:H7 in the environment.

Results

From May to September, in 1999, 99 cases of E. coli O157:H7 infection were confirmed. Fifty-six patients were enrolled in the case-control study. Bad personal health habits and poor sanitary conditions in the kitchen were associated with increased risks of infection, whereas hand washing was protective. The household survey indicated that residents in the epidemic region during the outbreak had higher than expected rates of diarrhea. The total E. coli O157:H7 carrier rate in the livestock was 12.36%(22/178), specifically 19.15% in cattle, 12.50% in goat, and 11.11% in swine. Numerical analysis of pulsed-field gel electrophoresis(PFGE) profiles divided strains into two clusters with 77.5% homology. One cluster contained 11 strains isolated from diarrheal patients, foods, and animals. The other cluster comprised 10 strains from patients and environment.

Conclusion

In a large outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 infection among predominantly elderly residents in Xuzhou, high rates of carriage of E. coli O157: H7 among host animals most likely resulted in contamination of the environment, thereby leading to the outbreak. Effective and preventive control measures should be taken to avoid contamination, including environmental and family health improvement, good personal hygiene, and safe food handling practices.

Objective

To investigate the effects of CD137 signaling on the regulation of CD3⁻CD56⁺NK cells function.

Methods

CD3⁻ CD56⁺NK cells were treated with CD137 mAb or mouse IgG1 isotype control to study the effects of CD137 signaling on the function of CD3⁻CD56⁺NK cells. Cytotoxicity was measured by LDH activity in the supernatants of cell cultures; NKG2D and LFA-1 expression on CD3⁻CD56⁺NK cells were analyzed by flow cytometry.

Results

CD137 was expressed on activated CD3⁻CD56⁺NK cells. The CD137 mAb enhanced the ability of CD3⁻CD56⁺NK cells to kill lung cancer cells(A549); Further studies revealed that the expression of NKG2D and LFA-1 was significantly increased in activated cells, and blockade of NKG2D and LFA-1 dramatically attenuated CD3⁻CD56⁺NK cytolysis of A549 cancer cells.

Conclusion

CD137 signaling increases the ability of CD3⁻CD56⁺NK cells to kill cancer cells via up-regulating the expression of NKG2D and LFA-1.

Objective

To investigate the effects of simvastatin, a 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A(HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitor, on adiponectin and markers of endothelial function in apolipoprotein E -deficient mice at an early stage of atherosclerosis.

Methods

Twenty-four 6-week old male apoE-deficient mice were randomly divided into two groups: control group(normal saline) and treatment group [simvastatin(5 mg/(kg·d)]. Simvastatin was administered to treatment group mice by gavage and the same volume of normal saline was administered to control group mice by the same method for 4 weeks. Total cholesterol(TC), superoxide dismutase(SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), and nitric oxide(NO) were measured by biochemical analysis, and adiponectin was measured by an ABC-ELISA method.

Results

There was no significant difference in serum TC between control and treatment groups. Compared with the control animals, simvastatin-treated animals exhibited a significant increase in serum levels of adponectin, SOD and NO, and decrease in serum MDA(P <0.01).

Conclusion

Simvastatin protects endothelial function by increasing serum adiponectin, which may increase serum SOD and NO, and decrease serum MDA. This study suggests that simvastatin has therapeutic advantages, unrelated to its cholesterol-lowering effect, that are mediated by adiponectin.

Objective

To evaluate the effects of polymorphisms in TLR7 and TLR8(as potential candidate genes) on asthma risk and asthma-related phenotypes.

Methods

We consecutively recruited 318 unrelated adult asthmatic patients and 352 healthy volunteers from the same area of southeast China. Genotyping of each selected SNP was performed using multiplex PCR in conjunction with tagged array single base extension technology. We conducted case-control and case-only association studies between the selected SNPs in TLR7 and TLR8 and asthma or asthma-related phenotypes.

Results

The T allele of rs5935436 SNP in TLR7 was protective from developing asthma in males (adjusted ORs = 0.126, 95% CIs = 0.016-0.995). The CT/TT genotype of rs5935436 was less frequent in female asthmatics with allergic rhinitis (adjusted ORs = 0.18, 95% CIs = 0.04-0.90). The homozygote AA of rs3761623 and GG of rs3764880 were positively associated with lower FEV₁% and asthma severity in female asthmatics. These results were confirmed by haplotype analysis.

Conclusion

TLR7 and TLR8 polymorphisms may play an important role in the pathogenesis of asthma that is gender-dependent. This could be clinically useful, both for identifying patients at risk of asthma and for preventing its occurrence.

Objective

We have explored the role of nuclear factor kappa B(NF-κB) in the pathogenesis of chronic glomerulonephritis, and investigated the effect of rhododendron root on the activation of NF-κB .

Methods

Thirty-six Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups: a control group, a glomerulonephritis model group and a therapy group(glomerulonephritis animals treated with the root of rhododendron). Bovine serum albumin(BSA) nephritis was induced by subcutaneous immunization and daily intraperitoneal administration of BSA. Twenty-four-hour urinary protein and serum creatinine values were measured, and renal pathology was assessed histologically by optical microscopy and electron microscopy. NF-κB activity was determined by an electrophoretic mobility shift assay(EMSA).

Results

Compared with the control rats, glomerulonephritis model rats exhibited a significant increase in both 24 h urinary protein and serum creatinine, and had abnormal renal histology. The administration of the root of rhododendron ameliorated these changes. NF-κB activity in glomerulonephritis model group was greater than that in rhododendron-treated group, and NF-κB activity was greater in both glomerulonephritis groups than in the control group(P < 0.01).

Conclusion

These observations suggest that NF-κB plays a role in the pathogenesis of chronic glomerulonephritis, and rhododendron root may attenuate renal damages by downregulating the activation of NF-κ B in this model.