TSLP expression induced via Toll-like receptor pathways in human keratinocytes.

The skin epidermis and mucosal epithelia (airway, ocular tissues, gut, and so on) are located at the interface between the body and environment and have critical roles in the response to various stimuli. Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), a cytokine expressed mainly by epidermal keratinocytes (KCs) and mucosal epithelial cells, is a critical factor linking the innate response at barrier surfaces to Th2-skewed acquired immune response. TSLP is highly expressed in skin lesions of atopic dermatitis patients.

Validity of the Chinese version of the brief index of sexual functioning for women with a new scoring algorithm and comparison of normative and recurrently depressed Han Chinese population.

Introduction: The Brief Index of Sexual Functioning for Women (BISF-W) is proved to be a useful instrument to assess female sexual function, but the validation information of its Chinese version is still unavailable. It has not been used to assess female sexual function among Han Chinese women with recurrent depression.

Aim: This study aims to validate the Chinese version of BISF-W (C-BISF-W) with a new scoring algorithm and evaluate the impact of recurrent depression on sexual function among Han Chinese women.

Tracing type 1 diabetic Tibet miniature pig's bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in vitro by magnetic resonance imaging (1).

Background: Traditional cell-tracking methods fail to meet the needs of preclinical or clinical research. Thus, the aim of the present study was to establish a new method of double labeling bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) from type 1 diabetic (T1D) minipigs with super-paramagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) and enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) and tracing them using MRI in vitro.

Methods: Isolated BMSCs from T1D minipigs were labeled with eGFP and different concentrations of SPIO.

Indirect comparison of anti-TNF-α agents for active ankylosing spondylitis: mixed treatment comparison of randomized controlled trials.

Objectives: We aimed to identify different anti-TNF-α agents for ankylosing spondylitis (AS) assessed in randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and to compare them within a single evidence synthesis framework.

Methods: A Bayesian network analysis method was used to generate direct and indirect comparisons while maintaining randomisation. The main outcomes were the proportion of ASAS20 patients at the follow-up of 12 weeks.

Colorectal carcinoma-derived fibroblasts modulate natural killer cell phenotype and antitumor cytotoxicity.

Substantial evidence indicates that cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are critical components in the process of cancer progression. However, the role of CAFs in the immunopathogenesis of human cancer remains elusive. In this study, we demonstrate that purified colorectal carcinoma-derived fibroblasts exhibit activated phenotypes characterized by substantial α-smooth muscle actin expression.

Genotyping and clinical characteristics of multidrug and extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis in a tertiary care tuberculosis hospital in China.

Background: There is a lack of information on the clinical characteristics of multidrug-resistant (MDR) tuberculosis (TB) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) TB in the Jiangxi Province of China; furthermore, data have not been reported on the utility of mycobacterial interspersed repetitive-unit-variable-number tandem-repeat (MIRU-VNTR) analyses in genotyping Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains isolated from this region. The aim of this study was to analyse the clinical features of patients with MDR and XDR TB from Jiangxi Province and to evaluate the discriminatory power of the 15-loci MIRU-VNTR method.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on patients diagnosed with MDR and XDR TB at the Jiangxi Chest Hospital from July 2010 to June 2011.

Glycated haemoglobin A₁c for diagnosing diabetes in Chinese subjects over 50 years old: a community-based cross-sectional study.

Objective: Little is known about using glycated haemoglobin A₁c (HbA₁c) to diagnose diabetes in Chinese subjects over 50 years old. This study aims to evaluate HbA₁c in diagnosing diabetes and identify the optimal threshold to be used in Chinese community subjects aged over 50 years.

Methods: A community-based cross-sectional survey was conducted from October 2010 to January 2011 in Shipai community of Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.

Comparative proteomic analysis of human donor tissues during orthotopic liver transplantation: ischemia versus reperfusion.

Purpose: To explore the specific alterations in protein profiles that occur during ischemia/reperfusion injury (I/RI) and find novel therapeutic strategies to reduce I/RI during orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT).

Method: We used the comparative proteomic approach of two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) to compare the proteomic profiles of the same donor liver at three different time points: T1, immediately after cardiac arrest of donors (normal control); T2, before portal vein anastomosis (ischemia); and T3, 2 h after hepatic artery anastomosis (reperfusion).

Result: We identified 34 proteins that were significantly altered during I/RI.

[Research progress in tissue engineered meniscus].

Objective: To elucidate the latest research progress and application of tissue engineered meniscus.

Methods: The literature concerning the advance in tissue engineered meniscus was extensively reviewed, then closely-related issues including seed cells, scaffolds, and bioreactors were analyzed.

Results: With more and more attention being paid to meniscus tissue engineering, different approaches and strategies for seed cells, scaffolds, and bioreactors have contributed to the generation of meniscal constructs, which are capable of restoring meniscal lesions to some extent, but translating successes in basic science research to clinical application is still limited.

Laparoscopic radical prostatectomy plus extended lymph nodes dissection for cases with non-extra node metastatic prostate cancer: 5-year experience in a single Chinese institution.

Objective: To investigate the functional and oncologic outcomes of patients with locally advanced or lymph node metastatic prostate cancer (PCa) treated by laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP) in a single Chinese institution.

Methods: From June 2004 to June 2011, a total of 152 cases including 105 locally advanced PCa and 47 lymph node metastatic PCa who were treated by LRP with extended lymph node dissection (ePLND) were enrolled in this study. Surgical records, urinary continence, complications, and oncologic outcomes were presented.

Investigation of optimal prostate biopsy schemes for Chinese patients with different clinical characteristics.

Purpose: To investigate the optimal schemes of prostate biopsy according to prostate volume (PV), age and transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) status in Chinese men.

Methods: 923 consecutive patients who underwent initial TRUS-guided systematic 12-core prostate biopsy (12PBx) were enrolled in this study. The 12PBx was obtained by overlapping of conventional sextant, lateral base, mid-gland of peripheral zone and apex.

Body adipose distribution among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Both diabetes mellitus (DM) and obesity are prevalent in adults. The relationship between DM and body adipose tissue (AT) distribution is complex and although it has been investigated extensively, the subject remains controversial. Although a causal association between DM and obesity and AT distribution cannot be established on the basis of existing data, it is possible to conclude from many studies that gene, serum sex steroids level, daily physical activity and food supply can be the risk of obesity and AT redistribution factor among type 2 DM patients (T2DM).

Hepatocellular carcinoma-associated fibroblasts trigger NK cell dysfunction via PGE2 and IDO.

Defects in natural killer (NK) cell function are necessary for tumor immune escape, but the underlying regulatory mechanisms in human cancers remain largely unknown. Here we show that fibroblasts derived from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) were significantly superior to foreskin-derived fibroblasts at inducing NK cell dysfunction, which is characterized by low expression of cytotoxic molecules and surface markers for cell activation, impaired production of cytokines, and decreased cytotoxicity against K562 cells in vitro. Our results also indicate that PGE2 and IDO, derived from activated fibroblasts, suppress the activation of NK cells and thereby create favorable conditions for tumor progression.

[Analysis of therapeutic effects of cannulated compression screws for the treatment of femoral neck fractures].

Objective: To evaluate the therapeutic effects of cannulated compression screws for the treatment of femoral neck fractures, and to investigate the related factors influencing the avascular necrosis of femoral head after surgery.

Methods: A retrospective review was done for 96 patients with femoral neck fractures treated with cannulated compression screws from January 2003 to June 2009. Among them, there were 44 males and 52 females with 21 to 88 years old (averaged 56.

Mesangial cells stimulated by immunoglobin A1 from IgA nephropathy upregulates transforming growth factor-beta1 synthesis in podocytes via renin-angiotensin system activation.

Background And Aims: We undertook this study to investigate the effect of mesangial cells stimulated by immunoglobin A1 from IgAN on transforming growth factor-beta1 synthesis in podocytes.

Methods: Jacalin affinity chromatography and Sephacryl S-200 molecular sieve chromatography were used to isolate IgA1 from blood of IgAN patients, which was then used as aggregated IgA1 (aIgA1). Podocytes were incubated with special mesangial medium.

Mesangial medium with IgA1 from IgA nephropathy inhibits nephrin expression in mouse podocytes.

Background: IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is characterized by mesangial deposition of polymeric IgA1, and podocyte injury plays an important role in glomerulosclerosis of the disease. Our previous study indicated that medium of mesangial cells co-incubated with aggregated IgA1 (aIgA1), isolated from IgAN patients, down-regulated nephrin expression. Yet the mechanism remains unclear.

Comparison of long-term effects between intra-arterially delivered ethanol and Gelfoam for the treatment of severe arterioportal shunt in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

Aim: To evaluate long-term effect of ethanol embolization for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with severe hepatic arterioportal shunt (APS), compared with Gelfoam embolization.

Methods: Sixty-four patients (ethanol group) and 33 patients (Gelfoam group) with HCC and APS were respectively treated with ethanol and Gelfoam for APS before the routine interventional treatment for the tumor. Frequency of recanalization of shunt, complete occlusion of the shunt, side effects, complications, and survival rates were analyzed between the two groups.