Helicobacter pylori cytotoxin-associated gene A activates tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6 in gastric epithelial cells through P300/CBP-associated factor-mediated nuclear factor-κB p65 acetylation.

Helicobacter pylori‑initiated chronic gastritis is characterized by the cytotoxin‑associated gene (Cag) pathogenicity island‑dependent upregulation of pro‑inflammatory cytokines in gastric epithelial cells, which is largely mediated by the activation of nuclear factor (NF)‑κB as a transcription factor. However, the precise regulation of NF‑κB activation, particularly post‑translational modifications in the CagA‑induced inflammatory response, has remained elusive. The present study showed that Helicobacter pylori CagA, an important virulence factor, induced the expression of P300/CBP‑associated factor (PCAF) in gastric epithelial cells.

Recombinant human growth hormone in treatment of diabetes: report of three cases and review of relative literature.

To explore the clinical profile and laboratory changes in three patients with diabetes mellitus treated with recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH). Results showed that the patient in the first case was diagnosed as T1DM according to the classical course of disease, weight loss, polyuria, polydispsia, polyphagia, and positive GAD-Ab. The second patient's plasma glucose and urine glucose were at a high level, then stored immediately with the negative OGTT.

[Serum marker screening during the second trimester for prenatal diagnosis and predicting pregnancy outcome].

Objective: To explore the clinical value of screening the serum markers during the second trimester of pregnancy in preventing congenital birth defect and predicting the pregnancy outcome.

Methods: Between November, 2011 and October, 2013, a total of 25 520 pregnant women (15-20+6 gestational weeks) underwent a screening test of triple serum markers including free beta-human chorionic gonadotrophin (free βhCG), alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), and unconjugated estriol (µE3) during the second semester of pregnancy. The women identified by the screening test as having high risks were referred to invasive prenatal diagnosis by amniocentesis, or to color Doppler ultrasound examination for suspected patent neural tube defect (NTD), and their pregnancy outcomes were followed up.

[Clinical analysis of 52 cases of 21-hydroxylase-deficient congenital adrenal hyperplasia].

Objective: To gain more insight into congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) by analyzing the clinical data of children with 21-hydroxylase-deficient CAH.

Methods: The clinical data of 52 children with 21-hydroxylase-deficient CAH were collected. Based on the disease severity and the presence of salt-losing manifestations, the children were classified into three groups: masculine type (n=15), salt-losing type (n=28), and atypical type (n=9).

JAG1 Mutation Spectrum and Origin in Chinese Children with Clinical Features of Alagille Syndrome.

Alagille syndrome is an autosomal dominant disorder that results from defects in the Notch signaling pathway, which is most frequently due to JAG1 mutations. This study investigated the rate, spectrum, and origin of JAG1 mutations in 91 Chinese children presenting with at least two clinical features of Alagille syndrome (cholestasis, heart murmur, skeletal abnormalities, ocular abnormalities, characteristic facial features, and renal abnormalities). Direct sequencing and/or multiplex-ligation-dependent probe amplification were performed in these patients, and segregation analysis was performed using samples available from the parents.

Expression profile of plasma microRNAs in premature infants with respiratory distress syndrome.

As well-known regulators of gene expression, microRNAs (miRNAs) are important not only in cell proliferation and differentiation, but also in tumorigenesis and organ development. It has been estimated that miRNAs may be responsible for regulating the expression of almost one third of the human genome. Simultaneously, with advances in neonatal care in the clinic, an increased number of premature infants are being saved and, thus, respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) has become more common.

Retrospective analysis of individual risk factors for urethrocutaneous fistula after onlay hypospadias repair in pediatric patients.

Background: To retrospectively identify the individual risk factors for the urethrocutaneous fistula (UCF) in pediatric patients after hypospadias repair (HR) with onlay island flap urethroplasty.

Methods: A total of 167 patients who underwent primary HR at Nanjing Medical University Affiliated Children Hospital from January 2009 to December 2012 were enrolled. Clinical data including the patient' age at HR, hypospadias type and urethral defect length were documented.

Down-regulation of microRNA-223 promotes degranulation via the PI3K/Akt pathway by targeting IGF-1R in mast cells.

Background: Mast cells play a central role in allergic and inflammatory disorders by inducing degranulation and inflammatory mediator release. Recent reports have shown that miRNAs play an important role in inflammatory response regulation. Therefore, the role of miR-223 in mast cells was investigated.

Down-regulation of miR-206 is associated with Hirschsprung disease and suppresses cell migration and proliferation in cell models.

Hirschsprung disease (HSCR) is a well-known congenital digestive disease that originates due to the developmental disorder of neural crest cells. MiR-206 is kown to have a relationship with digestive malfunctions. Therefore, we investigated whether or not miR-206 was involved in the pathogenesis of HSCR.

STAT4 rs7574865 G/T and PTPN22 rs2488457 G/C polymorphisms influence the risk of developing juvenile idiopathic arthritis in Han Chinese patients.

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is a common autoimmune disease characterized by environmental influences along with several predisposing genes in the pathogenesis. The protein tyrosine phosphatase nonreceptor 22 (PTPN22) and signal transducer and activator of transcription factor 4 (STAT4) have been recognized as susceptibility genes for numerous autoimmune diseases. Associations of STAT4 rs7574865 G/T and PTPN22 (rs2488457 G/C and rs2476601 C/T) polymorphisms with JIA have repeatedly been replicated in several Caucasian populations.

Relationship between 11β-HSD2 mRNA and insulin sensitivity in term small-for-gestational age neonates after birth.

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between serum 11β-HSD2 mRNA level and insulin sensitivity in term small-for-gestational age (SGA) neonates after birth. The 38 infants were divided into two groups, the SGA group and the appropriate-for-gestational age (AGA) group. The placental 11β-HSD2 mRNA abundance and concentration of cortisol, fasting glucose, fasting insulin, adiponectin, visfatin and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-1) in the umbilical vein plasma were measured.

Role of COX-2/mPGES-1/prostaglandin E2 cascade in kidney injury.

COX-2/mPGES-1/PGE2 cascade plays critical roles in modulating many physiological and pathological actions in different organs. In the kidney, this cascade is of high importance in regulating fluid metabolism, blood pressure, and renal hemodynamics. Under some disease conditions, this cascade displays various actions in response to the different pathological insults.

Genetic variation in C12orf51 is associated with prognosis of intestinal-type gastric cancer in a Chinese population.

Recent genome-wide association study (GWAS) on esophageal squamous-cell carcinoma (ESCC) among Chinese population has identified two novel single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) rs11066280 and rs2074356 on C12orf51 gene. We hypothesized that SNPs rs11066280 and rs2074356 could influence gastric cancer survival outcomes. We genotyped the SNPs rs11066280 and rs2074356 in 940 patients with surgically resected gastric cancer.

[Transumbilical single-site laparoscopic orchiopexy for inguinal cryptorchidism in children: report of 33 cases].

Objective: To explore the feasibility and effect of transumbilical single-site laparoscopic surgery in the treatment of inguinal cryptorchidism in children.

Methods: From August to November 2013, 33 children with inguinal cryptorchidism (41 testes) underwent transumbilical single-site laparoscopic orchiopexy. The undescended testes were palpable in the inguen intra-operatively in all the cases, 14 on the right, 11 on the left, and 8 bilaterally.

MiR-146b attenuates high-fat diet-induced non-alcoholic steatohepatitis in mice.

Background And Aim: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most common chronic liver diseases worldwide. In this study, we investigated the role of miR-146b in the Toll-like receptor-4 signaling pathway and high-fat diet (HFD)-induced NASH in vivo and in vitro.

Methods: The effect of miR-146b on the expression of IL-1 receptor-associated kinase 1 (IRAK1) and tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6) in RAW264.

[Roles of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells and IL-33 in the pathogenesis of asthma in children].

Objective: To study the roles of CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) regulatory T cells (Treg) and IL-33 in the pathogenesis of asthma in children.

Methods: Flow cytometry was used to detect peripheral blood CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+)Treg proportion in CD4(+)T lymphocytes in.45 children with asthma, 50 children with wheezing caused by respiratory syncytial virus infection and 40 healthy children.

Evaluation of stress and pain in young children with cerebral palsy during early developmental intervention programs: a descriptive study.

Objective: The aim of this study was to use the Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability Scale; salivary cortisol levels; and withdrawal reflex thresholds to assess pain, stress, and pain sensitivity in young children with cerebral palsy during early developmental intervention programs.

Design: A total of 40 children with cerebral palsy (age range, 1-4 yrs) participated in the early intervention programs, which included neurodevelopmental treatment, neuromuscular electrical stimulation, occupational therapy, head acupuncture, and Chinese traditional manipulation five times per week for 3 wks. The Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability Scale was applied during the course of each treatment, and salivary cortisol samples were obtained from each child 10 mins before and 10 mins after each treatment.

Relationship between obesity and sex, and prevalence of asthma-like disease and current wheeze in Han children in Nanjing, China.

Objective: To investigate the relationships between body mass index (BMI) and sex, and asthma-like disease and current wheeze in Han children in Nanjing, China.

Methods: Han children aged 3-14 years were recruited. Height and weight were measured; individuals were classified into obesity, thinness and normal-weight groups on the basis of the calculated BMI.

Triptolide attenuates acute small-for-size liver graft injury in rats by inhibition of Toll-like receptor 4.

Introduction: The mechanism underlying small-for-size graft failure after reperfusion is still unknown. Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) has attracted a great deal of attention in inflammation and allograft rejection in recent years. Medicinally, triptolide has anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressive, and antineoplastic activities.

[Efficacy of methylprednisolone therapy for electrical status epilepticus during sleep in children].

Objective: To evaluate the therapeutic effect of methylprednisolone for electrical status epilepticus during sleep (ESES) in children.

Method: The clinical and EEG data of 82 epilepsy patients with ESES, which included benign childhood epilepsy with centro temporal spikes (BECT) variants, epilepsy with continuous spikes and waves during slow sleep (CSWS) , Landau-Kleffner syndrome (LKS) collected from department of pediatrics, Peking University First Hospital were analyzed from July 2007 to September 2012. During ESES period, all patients received methylprednisolone treatment for three courses, which included methylprednisolone intravenous infusion for three days, followed by oral prednisone for four days every time.

Crigler-Najjar syndrome type II in a Chinese boy resulting from three mutations in the bilirubin uridine 5'-diphosphate-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT1A1) gene and a family genetic analysis.

Background: The UGT1A1 gene encodes a responsible enzyme, UDP-glucuronosyltransferase1A1 (UGT1A1), for bilirubin metabolism. Many mutations have already been identified in patients with inherited disorders with unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia, such as Crigler-Najjar syndromes and Gilbert's syndrome.

Case Presentation: In this report, we presented a boy with intermittent unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia, whose genetic analysis showed a new compound heterozygote determined by three mutations, c.

A novel Bruton's tyrosine kinase gene (BTK) missense mutation in a Chinese family with X-linked agammaglobulinemia.

Background: X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA) is a rare inherited disease characterized by recurrent bacterial infections, a paucity or absence of peripheral lymphoid tissue, an absence of circulating B cells, and marked depression of serum IgG, IgA, and IgM. Germline mutation of the BTK gene has been identified as a cause of XLA. These mutations cause defects in early B cell development.

The microRNA-146a/b attenuates acute small-for-size liver graft injury in rats.

Background & Aims: A critical role of the Toll-like receptor (TLR)-4 and its downstream mediators in the pathogenesis of small-for-size liver graft injury has been documented. Recently, the microRNA-146 (miR-146) was identified as a potent negative regulator of the TLR4 signalling pathway. In this study, the role of miR-146a and miR-146b in the attenuation of TLR-4 signalling and small-for-size liver graft injury was investigated.

Childhood renal tumor: a report from a Chinese Children's Cancer Group.

Here we investigated the establishment of multicenter cooperative treatment groups in China, as well as radiotherapy compliance and effectiveness among children with renal tumors. Medical records were reviewed for 316 children with renal tumors diagnosed by a multicenter cooperative group from 14 hospitals in China from 1998 to 2012. Median patient age was 29.

Efficacy and safety of house dust mite sublingual immunotherapy in monosensitized and polysensitized children with respiratory allergic diseases.

Background: The efficacy of single-allergen-specific immunotherapy in polysensitized subjects is a matter of debate. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of house dust mite (HDM) sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) in monosensitized and polysensitized children.

Methods: A total of 112 children, aged 4 to 13 years old, with HDM-induced respiratory allergic diseases were allocated to a monosensitized group (n = 56) or a polysensitized group (n = 56).