The relationship between loss expression of DPC4/Smad4 gene and carcinogenesis of pancreatobiliary carcinoma

Objective: To clarify the relationship between loss ofDPCA gene expression and pathogenesis of pancreato-biliary carcinoma.Methods: 75 slides of normal duct (20), hyperplasia(15), dysplasia (15), invasive carcinoma (25) frompatients with pancreatic diseases including pancreaticcarcinoma (25 patients), chronic pancreatitis (6),pancreas injury (2) and 71 slides of common bileduct (CBD) carcinoma (38), gallbladder carcinoma(18), hilar bile duct (HBD) carcinoma (15) frompatients with primary biliary tract carcinoma wereanalyzed for the expression of DPC4 protein by im-munohistochemical staining.Results: All specimens from 20 cases of normal ductand 15 cases of hyperplasia showed marked expres-sion of DPC4 protein. The frequency of loss expres-sion of the DPC4 gene was 33 % in dysplasia, and48% in invasive carcinoma. There was a significantstatistical difference between byperplasia and dyspla-sia (P【0.01) and in dysplasia vs invasive carcinoma(P【0.05). The frequency of loss expression of theDPC4 gene was 47.3% in CBD carcinoma, 11% ingallbladder carcinoma, and 13% in HBD carcinoma.The frequency of loss expression of the DPCA genewas significantly different in CBD carcinoma vs gall-bladder carcinoma and HBD carcinoma (P【0.01).Conclusions: Inactivation of the DPC4 gene occurslate in the neoplastic progression of pancreatic carci-noma. The frequency of DPC4 gene alternation wasdifferent in various locations of biliary tract carcino-ma. In CBD carcinoma, this frequency is similar tothat in pancreatic carcinoma, indicating their similarmolecular alternations.

Significance of detection of serum HIF-1 α and β-catenin in rat model of vascular calcification in chronic kidney disease

Objective:To investigate the association between serum HIF-1α,β-catenin levels and the vascular calcification in the rat model of chronic kidney disease(CKD)vascular calcification.Methods:30 SD male rats were randomly divided into normal control group(CON group,n=10)and CKD vascular calcification group(CKD group,n=20).Rats in calcification group were fed with adenine combined with high phosphorus diet.At the end of the 6th week,the blood and urine of the two groups were collected to detect renal function,calcium,phosphorus and 24-hour urinary protein,the renal tissue was stained with HE,the aorta of rats was stained with Von Kossa and calcium content was determined,and the levels of HIF-1α and β-catenin in serum were detected by ElISA method.Results:compared with CON group,24-hour urinary protein,blood BUN,Scr,P,Ca×P,aortic calcium content,serum HIF-1α and β-catenin levels were significantly increased and serum calcium decreased in CKD group(P<0.05);Glomerular atrophy,renal tubule dilatation and interstitial fibrosis were seen in CKD group,Von Kossa staining of calcified nodules in aorta showed more black substance deposition.The levels of serum HIF-1α,β-catenin and serum P,Ca×P were positively correlated with the content of calcium in rat aorta.Conclusion:the levels of serum HIF-1α and β-catenin are significantly increased in patients with vascular calcification in CKD,and they are significantly related to the degree of aortic calcification.

Health correlates, addictive behaviors, and peer victimization among adolescents in China

Background Peer victimization has been recognized as a common social problem affecting children and adolescents in all parts of the world. This study aims to examine the prevalence of different types of peer victimization and to evaluate the associations between peer victimization and health correlates. Methods Using a large population sample of 18,341 adolescents aged 15–17 years from 6 cities in China, this study esti-mated the prevalence of different types of peer victimization, addictive behaviors, and health-related variables with self-administrated questionnaires. A three-phase logistical regression analysis was conducted to investigate the associations between peer victimization and addictive behaviors as well as health-related factors among adolescents. Results A total of 42.9% of the surveyed Chinese adolescents have been bullied by peers, with boys reporting higher rate on overt victimization (36.9%) and girls on relational forms (33.9%). School environment (34.7%) was the most frequent scene of peer violence, followed by neighborhood, family, and internet. Addictive behaviors except substance abuse were found related to higher possibility of peer victimization (aOR 1.21–1.73, P<0.001). Peer victimization was significantly associated with more depressive symptoms, post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms, and suicide ideation and deliberate self-harm (aOR 1.05–2.27, P<0.001), and poorer self-esteem and health-related quality of life (aOR 0.95–0.97, P<0.001). Conclusion Possible explanations of the associations found in this study are discussed and implications for future services are raised.