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Tinea capitis is still common in developing countries, such as China. Its pathogen spectrum varies across regions and changes over time.This study aimed to clarify the current epidemiological characteristics and pathogen spectrum of tinea capitis in China.A multicentre, prospective descriptive study involving 29 tertiary hospitals in China was conducted. From August 2019 to July 2020, 611 patients with tinea capitis were enrolled. Data concerning demography, risk factors and fungal tests were collected. When necessary, the pathogens were further identified by morphology or molecular sequencing in the central laboratory.Among all enrolled patients, 74·1% of the cases were in patients aged 2-8 years. The children with tinea capitis were mainly boys (56·2%) and were more likely than adults to have a history of animal contact (57·4% vs. 35·3%, P = 0·012) and zoophilic dermatophyte infection (73·5% vs. 47%). The adults were mainly female (83%) and were more likely than children to have anthropophilic agent infection (53% vs. 23·9%). The most common pathogen was zoophilic Microsporum canis (354, 65·2%), followed by anthropophilic Trichophyton violaceum (74, 13·6%). In contrast to the eastern, western and northeastern regions, where zoophilic M. canis predominated, anthropophilic T. violaceum predominated in central China (69%, P 0·001), where the patients had the most tinea at other sites (20%) and dermatophytosis contact (26%) but the least animal contact (39%). Microsporum ferrugineum was the most common anthropophilic agent in the western area, especially in Xinjiang province.Boys aged approximately 5 years were the most commonly affected group. Dermatologists are advised to pay more attention to the different transmission routes and pathogen spectra in different age groups from different regions.

To explore the diagnostic performance of EFSUMB CEUS Pancreatic Applications guidelines (version 2017) before and after the addition of iso-enhancement and very fast/fast washout as supplementary diagnostic criteria for PDAC.In this retrospective study, patients diagnosed with solid pancreatic lesions from January 2017 to December 2020 were evaluated. Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is reported to show hypo-enhancement in all phases according to the EFSUMB guidelines. First, based on this definition, all lesions were categorized as PDAC and non-PDAC. Then, iso-enhancement and very fast/fast washout were added as supplementary diagnostic criteria, and all lesions were recategorized. The diagnostic performance was assessed in terms of the accuracy (ACC), sensitivity (SEN), specificity (SPE), positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV). The reference standard consisted of histologic evaluation or composite imaging and clinical follow-up findings.A total of 455 nodules in 450 patients (median age, 58.37 years; 250 men) were included. The diagnostic performance using the EFSUMB CEUS guidelines for PDAC had an ACC of 69.5%, SEN of 65.4%, SPE of 84%, PPV of 93.5%, NPV of 40.6%, and ROC of 0.747. After recategorization according to the supplementary diagnostic criteria, the diagnostic performance for PDAC had an ACC of 95.8%, SEN of 99.2%, SPE of 84%, PPV of 95.7%, NPV of 96.6%, and ROC of 0.916.The EFSUMB guidelines and recommendations for pancreatic lesions can effectively identify PDAC via hypo-enhancement on CEUS. However, the diagnostic performance may be further improved by the reclassification of PDAC lesions after adding iso-enhancement and very fast/fast washout mode.• In the EFSUMB guidelines, the only diagnostic criterion for PDAC is hypo-enhancement, to which iso-enhancement and very fast/fast washout mode were added in our research. • Using hypo-enhancement/iso-enhancement with very fast/fast washout patterns as the diagnostic criteria for PDAC for solid pancreatic masses on CEUS has high diagnostic accuracy. • The blood supply pattern of PDAC can provide important information, and CEUS has unique advantages in this respect due to its real-time dynamic attenuation ability.

Although the contamination of microplastics (MPs) in groundwater has been anticipated, their occurrence, distribution, and composition require further understanding. In this study, the occurrence and distributions of MPs were investigated in shallow groundwater from an important water source district in Tianjin city of northern China. The abundance, the physical morphology, the chemical composition, and the potential correlations of the determined MPs with human activities were thoroughly characterized. MPs were determined from all ten sampling sites with the abundance ranged between 17.0 ± 2.16 to 44.0 ± 1.63 n/L, revealing the ubiquitous existed MPs contamination. Based on the physical categorization, fiber (44.74%) was the most abundant shape, while blue (31.02%) and transparent (26.09%) were the most prevalent colors. The dominant size of MPs was smaller than 200 μm which accounted for 73.10%. A total of seven types of MPs were determined with polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, and polystyrene as the main types, of which, polypropylene showed strong positive correlations with polystyrene, indicating the possible similar sources of them. Besides, the determined MPs in groundwater were greater in areas with the high population density and strong population activity, indicating their high correlation with human activity. The study highlighted the presence of MPs in groundwater of drinking water source in northern China and provided useful information for evaluating the potential ecological effects on water quality safety and human health brought by MPs.

Objective While the upregulation of cytochrome P450 family 24 subfamily A member 1 (CYP24A1) gene expression has been reported in colon cancer, its role in tumorigenesis remains largely unknown. In this study, we aimed to investigate the involvement of CYP24A1 in Wnt pathway regulation via the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) pathway. Methods The human colon cancer cell lines HCT-116 and Caco-2 were subjected to stimulation with interleukin-6 (IL-6) as well as tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), with subsequent treatment using the NF-κB pathway-specific inhibitor ammonium pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate (PDTC). Furthermore, CYP24A1 expression was subjected to knockdown via the use of small interfering RNA (siRNA). Subsequently, NF-κB pathway activation was determined by an electrophoretic mobility shift assay, and the transcriptional activity of β-catenin was determined by a dual-luciferase reporter assay. A mouse ulcerative colitis (UC)-associated carcinogenesis model was established, wherein TNF-α and the NF-κB pathway were blocked by anti-TNF-α monoclonal antibody and NF-κB antisense oligonucleotides, respectively. Then the tumor size and protein level of CYP24A1 were determined. Results IL-6 and TNF-α upregulated CYP24A1 expression and activated the NF-κB pathway in colon cancer cells. PDTC significantly inhibited this increase in CYP24A1 expression. Additionally, knockdown of CYP24A1 expression by siRNA could partially antagonize Wnt pathway activation. Upregulated CYP24A1 expression was observed in the colonic epithelial cells of UC-associated carcinoma mouse models. Anti-TNF-α monoclonal antibody and NF-κB antisense oligonucleotides decreased the tumor size and suppressed CYP24A1 expression. Conclusion Taken together, this study suggests that inflammatory factors may increase CYP24A1 expression via NF-κB pathway activation, which in turn stimulates Wnt signaling.

The downregulation of farnesoid X receptor (FXR; gene name, nuclear receptor subfamily 1 group h member 4), an enteric nuclear bile acid receptor, has been reported in colorectal carcinoma (CRC), and FXR expression has been inversely correlated with CRC stage and clinical outcome. FXR knockdown in chronic colitis mouse models of intestinal tumorigenesis results in early mortality and increased tumor progression via promoting Wnt signaling. The aim of the present study was to explore the effects and mechanism of FXR on the Wnt/β-catenin signal pathway in CRC. FXR and β-catenin protein expression levels were detected in an ulcerative colitis mouse model and human colon cancer cell lines (HT-29, Caco-2 and HCT-116). Gain- and loss-of-function studies were conducted by transfecting colon cancer cells with FXR siRNA and treating them with the FXR agonist GW4064. Subsequently, β-catenin transcriptional activity was measured using the dual-luciferase assay, and β-catenin/TCF4 complex levels and β-catenin protein and mRNA expression levels were determined. FXR and β-catenin expression levels were inversely associated in both the animal model and colon cancer cells. The Wnt signaling pathway was activated by increased β-catenin/TCF4 complex levels upon FXR silencing; however, mRNA and protein levels of β-catenin were not significantly affected. The FXR agonist GW4064 significantly inhibited the proliferation of cells but promoted the transcriptional activity of β-catenin. Thus, the present study demonstrated that FXR influences the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Furthermore, loss of FXR expression promotes the transcriptional activity of β-catenin, whereas FXR activation results in the opposite effect.

Background: Overexpression and constitutive activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) 3 have been suggested in the tumorigenesis of many human cancers, including multiple carcinomas, melanoma, and lymphoma. The diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in lobectomy specimens is usually straightforward, but distinguishing cirrhosis from well-differentiated HCC can be challenging in core biopsies. Our aims were to investigate the expression level of STAT3 and phosphorylated STAT3 (pSTAT3) in HCC and cirrhosis, and the application of STAT3 in the differential diagnosis of HCC and cirrhosis. Methods: Sixty cases were divided into three groups: patients with HCC only (Group 1), HCC and cirrhosis (Group 2), and cirrhosis only (Group 3). Formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tissue sections were stained immunohistochemically for STAT3, pSTAT3, and CD163. The values obtained from the tissue sections of each group were compared in statistical analysis. Results: STAT3 showed a high level in HCC and was a significant marker for differentiating HCC from cirrhosis (P < 0.0001). The odds ratio between HCC and cirrhosis increased 34.4 times when the intensity of STAT3 increased by 1 level. Spearman’s correlation and Chi-square tests also demonstrated that expression level of STAT3 did not correlate with age, gender, or the presence of a cirrhotic background. Conclusions: STAT3 staining differs significantly in HCC and cirrhosis. The findings reinforce the role of STAT3 in the tumorigenesis of HCC and provide a useful marker to differentiate HCC from cirrhosis in challenging liver biopsies. Key words: Cirrhosis; Differential Diagnosis; Hepatocellular Carcinoma; Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3

The purpose of our study was to develop and evaluate a novel integrin αv β3 -specific delivery carrier for transfection of siRNA in malignant tumors. We adopted arginine-glycine-aspartate (RGD) motif as a tissue target for specific recognition of integrin αν β3 . A chimaeric peptide was synthesized by adding nonamer arginine residues (9-arginine [9R]) at the carboxy terminus of cyclic-RGD dimer, designated as c(RGD)2 -9R, to enable small interfering RNA (siRNA) binding. To test the applicability of the delivery carrier in vivo, c(RGD)2 -9R was labeled with radionuclide of technetium-99m. Biodistribution and γ-camera imaging studies were performed in HepG2 xenograft-bearing nude mice. As results, an optimal 10:1 molar ratio of 99m Tc-c(RGD)2 -9R to siRNA was indicated by the electrophoresis on agarose gels. 99m Tc-c(RGD)2 -9R/siRNA remained stable under a set of conditions in vitro. For in vivo study, tumor radioactivity uptake of 99m Tc-c(RGD)2 -9R/siRNA in nude mice bearing HepG2 xenografts was significantly higher than that of control probe (P < .05). The xenografts were clearly visualized at 4 hours till 6 hours noninvasively after intravenous injection of 99m Tc-c(RGD)2 -9R/siRNA, while the xenografts were not visualized at any time after injection of control probe. It was concluded that c(RGD)2 -9R could be an effective siRNA delivery carrier. Technetium-99m radiolabeled-delivery carrier represents a potential imaging strategy for RNAi-based therapy.

The purpose of our study was to develop and evaluate a novel integrin α

Tumor angiogenesis is important in the growth and metastasis of malignant tumors. In our previous study, we demonstrated that an arginine-arginine-leucine (RRL) peptide is a tumor endothelial cell-specific binding sequence that may be used as a molecular probe for the imaging of malignant tumors in vivo. The aim of the present study was to further explore the characteristics of 131I‑RRL by biodistribution tests, and to estimate the radiation dosimetry of 131I‑RRL for humans using mice data. The RRL peptide was radiolabeled with 131I by a chloramine-T (CH-T) method. The radiolabeling efficiency and radiochemical purity were then characterized in vitro. 131I‑RRL was injected intravenously into B16 xenograft-bearing Kunming mice. Biodistribution analysis and in vivo imaging were performed periodically. The radiation dosimetry in humans was calculated according to the organ distribution and the standard medical internal radiation dose (MIRD) method in mice. All data were analyzed by statistical and MIRDOSE 3.1 software. The labeling efficiency of 131I‑RRL reached 70.0±2.91% (n=5), and the radiochemical purity exceeded 95% following purification. In mice bearing B16 xenografts, 131I‑RRL rapidly cleared from the blood and predominantly accumulated in the kidneys, the stomach and the tumor tissue. The specific uptake of 131I‑RRL in the tumor increased over time and was significantly higher than that of the other organs, 24-72 h following injection (P

AIM To determine the pathogenesis and potential single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) as screening sites for colonic polyps, colon cancer and ulcerative colitis, and to analyze the possible association between these genetic polymorphisms and the three diseases. METHODS We evaluated genetic polymorphisms in 144 newly diagnosed colonic polyp patients, 96 colon cancer patients and 44 ulcerative colitis patients. The four SNPs genotyped were rs4809957, rs6068816, rs6091822 and rs8124792. The control group consisted of 504 East Asians enrolled in the 1000 Genomes Project. Correlations between CYP24A1 SNPs and the diseases were analyzed by Fisher’s exact probability test. RESULTS CYP24A1 polymorphisms rs4809957 A/G and rs6068816 C/T showed a statistically significant association with risk of the three diseases, when both the genotypes and allele frequencies were considered. With regard to rs6091822 G/T, all three diseases were related to risk allele carriers (GT + TT) vs wild-type (GG), but the associations between the allele frequencies and the diseases were not significant. The risk of colonic polyps and colon cancer was related to the allele frequencies of rs8124792 G/A, and this association remained for genotype frequencies of this SNP. CONCLUSION Four SNPs are related to the risk of colonic polyps and colon cancer. G allele in rs6091822 G/T may play an anti-cancer role only if it is homozygous. The A allele, which is a minor component of rs8124792, may be indicated in the diagnosis of colonic polyps or colon cancer rather than ulcerative colitis.

To observe antisepsis, anti-swelling, and therapeutic effects of Fuxiye (FXY), a Chinese medical lotion for external wash in treating vaginitis model rats.The cervicitis rat model was induced by agar plate diffusion, ear auricle swelling induced by dimethylbenzene, and chemical stimulus. The in vitro antibiotic actions of FXY were observed. Besides, its effects on the swelling and inflammation in model rats were also observed.FXY at 25 mg/mL could completely inhibit the growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, pyogenic Streptococcus, and Streptococcus agalactiae. FXY at 50 mg/mL could completely inhibit the growth of Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans. It obviously restrained dimethylbenzene induced ear auricle swelling. It significantly alleviated cervicitis induced by chemical stiumli.FXY showed better effects on antisepsis, anti-inflammation, and treating cervicitis.

Objective The α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) play a vital role in the pathophysiology of neuropsychiatric diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and depression. However, there is currently no suitable positron emission tomography (PET) or Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) radioligands for imaging α7 nAChRs in brain. Here our aim is to radiosynthesize a novel SPECT radioligand 131I-CHIBA-1001 for whole body biodistribution study and in vivo imaging of α7 nAChRs in brain. Method 131I-CHIBA-1001 was radiosynthesized by chloramine-T method. Different conditions of reaction time and temperature were tested to get a better radiolabeling yield. Radiolabeling yield and radiochemical purities of 131I-CHIBA-1001 were analyzed by thin layer chromatography (TLC) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) system. Whole body biodistribution study was performed at different time points post injection of 131I-CHIBA-1001 in KM mice. Monkey subject was used for in vivo SPECT imaging in brain. Result The radiolabeling yield of 131I-CHIBA-1001 reached 96% within 1.5∼2.0 h at 90∼95°C. The radiochemical purity reached more than 99% after HPLC purification. 131I-CHIBA-1001 was highly stable in saline and fresh human serum in room temperature and 37°C separately. The biodistribution data of brain at 15, 30, and 60 min were 11.05±1.04%ID/g, 8.8±0.04%ID/g and 6.28±1.13%ID/g, respectively. In experimental SPECT imaging, the distribution of radioactivity in the brain regions was paralleled with the distribution of α7 nAChRs in the monkey brain. Moreover, in the blocking SPECT imaging study, the selective α7 nAChR agonist SSR180711 blocked the radioactive uptake in the brain successfully. Conclusion The CHIBA-1001 can be successfully radiolabeled with 131I using the chloramine-T method. 131I-CHIBA-1001 can successfully accumulate in the monkey brain and image the α7 acetylcholine receptors. 131I-CHIBA-1001 can be a candidate for imagingα7 acetylcholine receptors, which will be of great value for the diagnosis and treatment of mental diseases.

Tumor angiogenesis is important in the growth and metastasis of malignant tumors. In our previous study, we demonstrated that an arginine-arginine-leucine (RRL) peptide is a tumor endothelial cell-specific binding sequence that may be used as a molecular probe for the imaging of malignant tumors in vivo. The aim of the present study was to further explore the characteristics of 131I‑RRL by biodistribution tests, and to estimate the radiation dosimetry of 131I‑RRL for humans using mice data. The RRL peptide was radiolabeled with 131I by a chloramine-T (CH-T) method. The radiolabeling efficiency and radiochemical purity were then characterized in vitro. 131I‑RRL was injected intravenously into B16 xenograft-bearing Kunming mice. Biodistribution analysis and in vivo imaging were performed periodically. The radiation dosimetry in humans was calculated according to the organ distribution and the standard medical internal radiation dose (MIRD) method in mice. All data were analyzed by statistical and MIRDOSE 3.1 software. The labeling efficiency of 131I‑RRL reached 70.0±2.91% (n=5), and the radiochemical purity exceeded 95% following purification. In mice bearing B16 xenografts, 131I‑RRL rapidly cleared from the blood and predominantly accumulated in the kidneys, the stomach and the tumor tissue. The specific uptake of 131I‑RRL in the tumor increased over time and was significantly higher than that of the other organs, 24-72 h following injection (P0.05). The ratio of tumor-to-skeletal muscle (T/SM) tissue exceeded 4.75, and the ratio of the tumor-to-blood (T/B) tissue peaked at 3.36. In the single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging of Kunming mice bearing B16 xenografts, the tumors were clearly identifiable at 6 h, and significant uptake was evident 24-72 h following administration of 131I‑RRL. The effective dose for the adult male dosimetric model was estimated to be 0.0293 mSv/MBq. Higher absorbed doses were estimated for the stomach (0.102 mGy/MBq), the small intestines (0.0699 mGy/MBq), the kidneys (0.0611 mGy/MBq) and the liver (0.055 mGy/MBq). These results highlight the potential of 131I‑RRL as a ligand for the SPECT imaging of tumors. Administration of 131I‑RRL led to a reasonable radiation dose burden and was safe for human use.

Summary Background Metallothioneins (MT) are important antioxidants involved in the ageing process of many tissues and organs. To our knowledge, the role of MT in skin ageing has not been reported. Objectives To investigate the expression of MT in ageing skin. Methods The protein levels of MT-I and MT-II in sun-exposed and sun-protected skin specimens obtained from healthy individuals were detected by immunohistochemistry using tissue microarray and expressed as average integrated optical density (AIOD). Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and Ki-67 protein levels in these specimens were also detected to study the possible link between the proliferation of keratinocytes and expression of MT. Results The protein levels of MT-I and MT-II decreased significantly with increasing age of sun-exposed and sun-protected skin (r = −0·73 and −0·98, respectively, P < 0·01) but was more prominent in sun-exposed skin. In sex- and age-matched specimens, the intensity of MT-I and MT-II in sun-exposed skin was much lower than in sun-protected skin (9·46 ± 2·39 vs. 22·25 ± 8·04, mean ± SD of AIOD, P