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Mannose receptor is a member of the C-type lectin receptor family involved in pathogen molecular-pattern recognition, and plays a critical role in shaping host immune response. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the MRC1 gene may affect expression levels and differences in the structure and function of proteins in different individuals, thereby affecting individual susceptibility to pulmonary tuberculosis. However, to date, MRC1 polymorphisms associated with susceptibility to pulmonary tuberculosis have not yet been reported. The present study aimed to investigate potential associations of SNPs in the MRC1 gene with pulmonary tuberculosis in a Chinese population. Six SNPs (G1186A, G1195A, T1212C, C1221G, C1303T and C1323T) in exon 7 of the MRC1 gene were genotyped using the PCR and DNA sequencing methods in the pulmonary tuberculosis patients and the healthy controls. Linkage disequilibrium analysis was performed between polymorphic sites. The study found that the allele frequency of G1186A (rs34039386) of the MRC1 gene in a Chinese population was higher in the pulmonary tuberculosis group than the healthy control group. There was a significant difference in frequency distribution between the two groups (P = 0.037; OR = 0.76; 95% CI, 0.58-0.98). Genotypic analysis also indicated that the AG genotypes in a Chinese population were significantly correlated with pulmonary tuberculosis (P < 0.01; OR = 0.57; 95% CI, 0.37-0.87). After adjustment for age and gender, G1186A sites were found to be dominant (P < 0.01; OR = 0.59; 95% CI, 0.40-0.87), over-dominant (P = 0.045; OR = 0.69; 95% CI, 0.47-0.99) and additive models (P = 0.041; OR = 0.76; 95% CI, 0.59-0.99) in association with pulmonary tuberculosis. But, no association was found between the other 5 SNPs (G1195A, T1212C, C1221G, C1303T and C1323T) and tuberculosis (P > 0.05). This study is the first to report that genetic variants in the MRC1 gene can be associated with pulmonary tuberculosis in a Chinese population, and may reduce the risk of infecting pulmonary tuberculosis. This also provides a new experimental basis to clarify the pathogenesis of pulmonary tuberculosis.

Byline: Zhi-Jie. Chen, Ji. Zhang, Ying-Hua. Rao, Ji-Cheng. Sun, Shu-Xin. Sun, Ke. Sai Sir, A 39-year old woman presented with a history of progressive visual disturbance for 11 days, accompanied [...]

Byline: Shu-xin. Sun, Ji. Zhang, Ji-cheng. Sun, Zhi-jie. Chen, Xiang-heng. Zhang, Zheng-he. Chen, Jing-xiu. Huang, Yu. Jiang, Yong-gao. Mou, Zhong-ping. Chen, Ke. Sai Sir, A 51-year old man presented with [...]

The article presents a case study of a 51‑year old man, who was presented with a 5‑month history of acute pain bilaterally on the posterolateral aspect of his hip. It mentions that neurological examination revealed that the Lasegue sign was bilaterally positive, along with mild motor weakness. It mentions diagnosis of lumber nerve root cavernous angioma.

Objective: To detect the expression of growth factors relating to bone reconstructions in microscrew-bone interface of implanted titanium microscrews near the extraction wounds, and to determine the influence of healing process on the growth factors., Methods: Eight male Beagle dogs (age 18 months) were divided into experimental and control groups. Titanium microscrews were implanted near an extraction wound in the dogs in the experimental group, while the controls had implantation without extraction wounds. The dogs were sacrificed at 1, 3, 8, 12 weeks, respectively. Immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization sections were performed to detect the expression of TGF-beta, TNF-alpha, osteocalcin (OC) protein and Cbfal mRNA., Results: The experimental group had higher levels of expression of TGF-beta, TNF-alpha protein and Cbfa1 mRNA than the controls, with significant differences appearing at week one for TNF-alpha (P<0.05), week three for TGF-beta and TNF-alpha (P<0.05), and week eight for Cbfa1 mRNA (P<0.05). The expression of OC increased over time and reached peak at week eight (P<0.05)., Conclusion: Microscrews implanted near extraction wounds can maintain stability. Severe inflammation occurs in the early stage of healing, but does not sustain. Bone remodeling remains active over the healing process. But prolonged healing phase without force loading could weaken the remodeling.