Impact of task-oriented training based on acupuncture rehabilitation on upper extremity function and quality of life of patients with early stroke

BACKGROUND Eighty percent of stroke patients develop upper limb dysfunction,especially hand dysfunction,which has a very slow recovery,resulting in economic burden to families and society.AIM To investigate the impact of task-oriented training based on acupuncture therapy on upper extremity function in patients with early stroke.METHODS Patients with early stroke hemiplegia who visited our hospital between January 2021 and October 2022 were divided into a control group and an observation group,each with 50 cases.The control group underwent head acupuncture plus routine upper limb rehabilitation training(acupuncture therapy).In addition to acupuncture and rehabilitation,the observation group underwent upper limb task-oriented training(30 min).Each group underwent treatment 5 d/wk for 4 wk.Upper extremity function was assessed in both groups using the Fugl-Meyer Assessment-Upper Extremity(FMA-UE),Wolf Motor Function Rating Scale(WMFT),modified Barthel Index(MBI),and Canadian Occupational Performance Measure(COPM).Quality of life was evaluated using the Short-Form 36-Item Health Survey(SF-36).Clinical efficacy of the interventions was also evaluated.RESULTS Before intervention,no significant differences were observed in the FMA-UE,MBI,and WMFT scores between the two groups(P>0.05).After intervention,the FMA-UE,WMFT,MBI,COPM-Functional Mobility and Satisfaction,and SF-36 scores increased in both groups(P<0.05),with even higher scores in the observation group(P<0.05).The observation group also obtained a higher total effective rate than the control group(P<0.05).CONCLUSION Task-oriented training based on acupuncture rehabilitation significantly enhanced upper extremity mobility,quality of life,and clinical efficacy in patients with early stroke.

VSL#3 can prevent ulcerative colitis-associated carcinogenesis in mice

AIM To investigate the effects of VSL#3 on tumor formation, and fecal and intestinal mucosal microbiota in azoxymethane/dextran sulfate sodium(AOM/DSS) induced mice model. METHODS C57 BL/6 mice were administered AOM/DSS to develop the ulcerative colitis(UC) carcinogenesis model. Mice were treated with 5-ASA(75 mg/kg/d), VSL#3(1.5 × 109 CFU/d), or 5-ASA combined with VSL#3 by gavage from the day of AOM injection for three months(five days/week). The tumor load was compared in each group, and tumor necrosis factor(TNF-α) and interleukin(IL)-6 levels were evaluated in colon tissue. The stool and intestinal mucosa samples were collected to analyze the differences in the intestinal microbiota by 16 s rDNA sequencing method.RESULTS VSL#3 significantly reduced the tumor load in AOM/DSS-induced mice model and decreased the level of TNF-α and IL-6 in colon tissue. The model group had a lower level of Lactobacillus and higher level of Oscillibacter and Lachnoclostridium in fecal microbiota than the control group. After the intervention with 5-ASA and VSL#3, Bacillus and Lactococcus were increased, while Lachnoclostridium and Oscillibacter were reduced. 5-ASA combined with VSL#3 increased the Lactobacillus and decreased the Oscillibacter. The intestinal mucosal microbiota analysis showed a lower level of Bifidobacterium and Ruminococcaceae_UCG-014 and higher level of Al oprevotel a in the model group as compared to the control group. After supplementation with VSL#3, Bifidobacterium was increased. 5-ASA combined with VSL#3 increased the level of both Lachnoclostridium and Bifidobacterium. CONCLUSION VSL#3 can prevent UC-associated carcinogenesis in mice, reduce the colonic mucosal inflammation levels, and rebalance the fecal and mucosal intestinal microbiota.

Comparative analysis of the clinical outcomes between wavefront-guided and conventional femtosecond LASIK in myopia and myopia astigmatism

AIM:To compare the clinical outcomes of wavefront guided femtosecond LASIK(WFG LASIK)and conventional femtosecond LASIK(NWFG LASIK)in eyes with myopia and myopia astigmatism.METHODS:This was a retrospective,nonrandomized,comparative investigation enrolling 236 eyes of 122 patients(18-50 y)with low&moderate and high myopia.The WFG group including 97 eyes(50 patients)undergone WFG LASIK and the NWFG group including 139 eyes(72 patients)undergone conventional LASIK.Mean efficacy index,high order aberrations(HOAs),pupil size and the quality of visual questionnaire were evaluated 6 mo postoperatively.RESULTS:There is no difference between WFG group(-0.054±0.049 in logMAR)and NWFG group(-0.040±0.056)in uncorrected distance visual acuity(UDVA)postoperatively.The myopia astigmatism is higher in WFG group than that in NWFG group(P<0.05).However,the mean efficacy index(MEI)in the WFG group(1.09±0.106)is better than that in the NWFG group(1.036±0.124;P<0.001).Increased HOAs were observed in NWFG group(0.30±0.196)than that in WFG group(0.146±0.188;P<0.001).The pupil size is larger in WFG group(5.15±0.76 mm)than that in NWFG group(4.32±0.52 mm).The patients are satisfied with the clinical surgery,yet WFG group showed better visual quality using the questionnaire survey.Meanwhile,high myopia would result in worse MEI,HOAs and visual quality than low&moderate myopia.CONCLUSION:WFG and NWFG FS-LASIK are both effective and safe procedures to correct low&moderate and high myopia,but WFG FS-LASIK gives a better postoperative MEI,aberrometric control and predictable outcome.Meanwhile,WFG FS-LASIK is better than NWFG FS-LASIK in correction of myopia astigmatism.Low&moderate myopia allow better clinical outcomes than high myopia using any surgical method.

miR-128-3p靶向Lin28B增加肝癌细胞对奥沙利铂的敏感性

目的研究miR-128-3p与肝癌(hepatocellular carcinoma,HCC)细胞对奥沙利铂敏感性的影响,并探讨其作用机制.方法采用qRT-PCR法检测人正常肝细胞HL-7702、HCC细胞BEL-7402和Hep-3B中miR-128-3p、Lin28B的表达;将对数生长期的HCC细胞BEL-7402、Hep-3B随机分成miR-128-3pmimics组(转染miR-128-3Pmimics)、miR-NC组(未转染细胞)、Lin28B-3'UTR WT组(载体psiCHECK2-Lin28B-3'UTR WT和miR-128-3p共转染)、Lin28B-3'UTRMUT组(载体psiCHECK2-Lin28B-3'UTRMUT和miR-NC共转染)和miR-128-3p+Lin28B组(miR-128-3p和Lin28B共转染)、si-Lin28B组(转染si-Lin28B)和si-NC组(转染沉默对照),均以脂质体转染.采用MTT法检测各组细胞的存活率和活力; Western Blot检测各组细胞的蛋白表达.结果与人正常肝细胞相比, HCC细胞BEL-7402和Hep-3B中miR-128-3p的表达较显著降低(P<0.01), Lin28B的表达较显著升高(P<0.01),且过表达miR-128-3p、沉默Lin28B均可抑制HCC细胞增殖,促进凋亡,增加HCC细胞对奥沙利铂的敏感性.Lin28B为mi R-128-3p的靶标,且回补Lin28B可逆转mi R-128-3p增加HCC细胞对奥沙利铂敏感性的作用.结论miR-128-3p可增加HCC细胞对奥沙利铂的敏感性,其作用机制可能与靶向Lin28B有关,提示miR-128-3p可作为抗奥沙利铂耐药性的潜在靶点.

Evaluation of clinical significance of claudin 7 and construction of prognostic grading system for stage Ⅱ colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND Claudin 7 is often abnormally expressed in cancers and promotes the progression of some malignancies. However, the role of claudin 7 in stage Ⅱ colorectal cancer(CRC) has not been studied.AIM To assess the expression and prognostic value of claudin 7 in stage Ⅱ CRC.METHODS We retrospectively studied 231 stage Ⅱ CRC patients who underwent radical surgery at our hospital from 2013 to 2014. The protein expression level of claudin7 was assessed and its relationship with clinicopathological features and prognosis was statistically analyzed. The independent prognostic factors were identified by Cox proportional hazards models. A prognostic grading system was constructed to stratify the survival of CRC patients.RESULTS The expression of claudin 7 was significantly reduced in cancer tissues compared with normal tissues(P < 0.001), and its low expression was closely related to recurrence of the disease(P = 0.017). Multivariate analysis confirmed that claudin7 low expression(claudin 7-low)(P = 0.028) and perineural invasion positivity(PNI+)(P = 0.026) were independent predictors of poor disease-free survival(DFS). A prognostic grading system based on the status of claudin 7 and PNI classified the patients into three prognostic grades: grade A(claudin 7-high and PNI-), grade B(claudin 7-low and PNI-, claudin 7-high and PNI+), and grade C(claudin 7-low and PNI+). The DFS was significantly different among the three grades(grade B vs grade A, P = 0.032;grade C vs grade A, P < 0.001;grade C vs grade B, P = 0.040).CONCLUSION Claudin 7 can be used as a new prognostic marker to predict the DFS of patients with stage Ⅱ CRC. The prognostic grading system with the addition of claudin 7 can further improve prognosis stratification of patients.

Impact of laser scanning speed on microstructure and mechanical properties of Inconel 718 alloys by selective laser melting

Inconel 718 alloys were fabricated by selective laser melting under different scanning speeds to investigate the change of the morphology of molten pool,direction of grain growth,and tensile properties.Results show that as the scanning speed increases from 1,000 to 1,450 mm·s^(-1),the ratio between depth and width of molten pool increases,yet their overlapping regimes decrease.Meanwhile,increasing scanning speed can promote the solidified structure evolve from cell to columnar dendrites,and decrease the dendrite spacing from 0.54 to 0.39 μm;the average columnar grain size also decreases from 84.42 to 73.51 μm.At different scanning speeds,the preferred orientation of grains along the building is mainly <001> direction.In addition,the tensile properties of samples under different scanning speeds present a non-monotonic transition.The maximum ultimate tensile strength and elongation can reach 1,014±19 MPa and 19.04±1.12 (%),respectively,at the scanning speed of 1,300 mm·s^(-1).

FLNB haploinsufficiency-related short stature:a new syndrome or an expanded spectrum of Larsen syndrome

FLNB encodes the protein filamin B(FLNB),which is expressed in chondrocytes of the human growth plate[1].To date,pathogenic mutations in the FLNB gene have solely been found to cause skeletal deformities,indicating the crucial role of FLNB in skeletal development.FLNB-related disorders include spondylocarpotarsal synostosis(SCT,OMIM:272,460).

Single Zn atoms anchored on hollow carbon nanofiber network for dendrite-free lithium metal anode of flexible Li–S full cell

The attractive energy density of lithium-sulfur(Li-S)batteries makes them desirable energy storage systems;however,the slow reaction kinetics and formation of lithium dendrites prevent them from reaching full potential.To address this issue,hierarchical porous carbon nanofibers network containing Zn single atoms(ZnSA@HPCNF)is synthesized by electrospinning and carbonization.This structure serves as the main anode body,providing excellent chemical anchoring and lipophilicity.The uniform distribution of Zn single atoms and N4coordination supports uniform deposition and continuous plating/stripping of lithium.The results show that the Li|Li/ZnSA@HPCNF symmetrical battery presents stable and low overpotential during 700-and 900-h iterative plating/stripping process at1 and 5 mA·cm^(-2),respectively.Furthermore,the S/CNT||Li/ZnSA@HPCNF full cell shows good flexibility,reversible capacity and cycling stability.This work provides a lithium host strategy based on single-atom dispersed hierarchical porous carbon network,enabling the design of rational lithium metal anodes for use in flexible Li-S full cells.

Effects of probiotics and prebiotics on intestinal microbiota in mice with acute colitis based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing

Background:Imbalance of intestinal microbiota was closely related to colitis.Under these circumstances,regulation of enteric flora may be beneficial to the repair of inflammation.We aimed to investigate the effects of probiotics (Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus),prebiotics and their combination on inflammation,and microflora in mice of acute colitis.Methods:C57BL/6J mice were divided into six groups randomly (blank control group,model control group,probiotics group,synbiotics group,lactitol group and probiotics + lactitol group).Each group was given 2.5% dextran sulfate sodium drinking water for 5 days other than the blank control group.Except for the model control group,the other four groups were intervened with probiotics,synbiotics (probiotics and inulin),lactitol,and probiotics + lactitol.Mice were sacrificed after 1 week of gavage,and pathologic scores were calculated.The feces of different periods and intestinal mucosa samples were collected to analyze the differences of intestinal microbiota by 16S rRNA sequencing.Differences of two groups or multiple groups were statistically examined through unpaired Student t test and analysis of variance (ANOVA),respectively.ANOVA,Tukey,Anosim,and metastats analysis were used to compare differences of microbiota among different groups.Results:After gavage for 1 week,the pathologic scores of groups with the intervention were significantly lower than those in the model control group,and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05).The model control group was higher in the genus of Bacteroides (relative abundance:0.3679 vs.0.0099,P =0.0016) and lower in Lactobacillus (relative abundance:0.0020 vs.0.0122,P =0.0188),Roseburia (relative abundance:0.0004 vs.0.0109,P =0.0157),compared with the blank control group.However,the same phenomenon was not found in groups gavaged with probiotics and lactitol.Compared with model control group,mice with intervention were increased with Bifidobacterium (relative abundance:0.0172 vs.0.0039,P =0.0139),Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group (relative abundance:0.1139 vs.0.0320,P =0.0344),Lachnospiraceae_UCG-006 (relative abundance:0.0432 vs.0.0054,P =0.0454),and decreased with Alistipes (relative abundance:0.0036 vs.0.0105,P =0.0207) in varying degrees.The mucosal flora was more abundant than the fecal flora,and genus of Mucispirillum (relative abundance:0.0207 vs.0.0001,P =0.0034) was more common in the mucosa.Lactitol group showed higher level of Akkermansia than model control group (relative abundance:0.0138 vs.0.0055,P =0.0415),probiotics group (relative abundance:0.0138 vs.0.0022,P =0.0041),and synbiotics group (relative abundance:0.0138 vs.0.0011,P =0.0034),while probiotics + lactitol group had more abundant Akkermansia than synbiotics group (relative abundance:0.0215 vs.0.0013,P =0.0315).Conclusions:Probiotics and prebiotics reduce the degree of inflammation in acute colitis mice obviously.Mice with acute colitis show reduced beneficial genera and increased harmful genera.Supplementation of probiotics and prebiotics display the advantage of increasing the proportion of helpful bacteria and regulating the balance of intestinal microbiota.Lactitol might promote the proliferation of Akkermansia.

lncRNA-PACER upregulates COX-2 and PGE2 through the NF-κB pathway to promote the proliferation and invasion of colorectal-cancer cells

Background p50-associated cyclooxygenase-2 extragenic RNA(PACER)is a recently identified antisense long non-coding RNA(lncRNA)located on the upstream of the promoter region of cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2).Preliminary studies have suggested that PACER is involved in the regulation of COX-2 expression in macrophagocyte and osteosarcoma cells.However,the role of this lncRNA in colorectal cancer(CRC)remains elusive.Here,we investigated the expression of PACER and its effect on cell proliferation and invasion to explore the role of PACER in CRC.Methods Real-time quantitative PCR(RT-qPCR)analysis was used to evaluate the expression of PACER in CRC tissues and cells.Methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium(MTT)analysis was then used to investigate the inhibition effect of PACER knock-down in cell proliferation.The promoting role of this lncRNA on invasion by CRC cells was analysed by wound-healing assays,colony-formation assay,and transwell assays.We then used fluorescence in situ hybridization(FISH)to establish the subcellular localization of PACER.COX-2 protein levels were quantified by Western blot analysis and grayscale scanning analysis following the knock-down of PACER.Luciferase assay was carried out to monitor the modulation of the COX-2 promoter region by PACER.Tumor xenografts models were used to investigate the impact of PACER on the tumorigenesis of CRC cells in vivo.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)was then used to quantify prostaglandin E2(PGE2)production upon knock-down of PACER.Results RT-qPCR analysis revealed that PACER was highly expressed in CRC tissues and cells,and a high PACER-expression level was associated with poor prognosis.MTT assay,wound-healing assay,colony-formation assay,and transwell assay revealed that PACER enhanced CRC-cell proliferation,invasion,and metastasis in vitro.Analysis of lncRNA localization by FISH showed that it mainly resided in the nucleus.RT-qPCR showed that PACER increased mRNA levels of COX-2.Western blot analysis demonstrated,under normal circumstances,that knock-down of PACER decreased the COX-2 protein level.In the case of p50 absence,COX-2 protein increased rapidly and remained highly expressed after knocking down PACER.Luciferase assay revealed that PACER modulated the COX-2 promoter region.Mouse xenograft models of CRC revealed that PACER promoted colorectal tumorigenesis in vivo.ELISA revealed that PACER knock-down inhibited PGE2 production.Conclusions PACER modulates COX-2 expression through the nuclear factor kappa B(NF-jB)pathway in CRC.An increased level of PACER enhances proliferation,migration,and invasion of tumor cells by increasing COX-2 and PGE2 synthesis.

Upregulated insulin receptor tyrosine kinase substrate promotes the proliferation of colorectal cancer cells via the bFGF/AKT signaling pathway

Background:Some recent studies on insulin receptor tyrosine kinase substrate(IRTKS)have focused more on its functions in diseases.However,there is a lack of research on the role of IRTKS in carcinomas and its mechanism remains ambiguous.In this study,we aimed to clarify the role and mechanism of IRTKS in the carcinogenesis of colorectal cancer(CRC).Methods:We analysed the expression of IRTKS in CRC tissues and normal tissues by researching public databases.Cancer tissues and adjacent tissues of 67 CRC patients who had undergone radical resection were collected from our center.Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry were performed in 52 and 15 pairs of samples,respectively.In vitro and in vivo experiments were conducted to observe the effect of IRTKS on CRC cells.Gene Set Enrichment Analysis and Metascape platforms were used for functional annotation and enrichment analysis.We detected the protein kinase B(AKT)phosphorylation and cell viability of SW480 transfected with small interfering RNAs(siRNAs)with or without basic fibroblast growth factor(bFGF)through immunoblotting and proliferation assays.Results:The expression of IRTKS in CRC tissues was higher than that in adjacent tissues and normal tissues(all P<0.05).Disease-free survival of patients with high expression was shorter.Overexpression of IRTKS significantly increased the proliferation rate of CRC cells in vitro and the number of tumor xenografts in vivo.The phosphorylation level of AKT in CRC cells transfected with pLVX-IRTKS was higher than that in the control group.Furthermore,siRNA-IRTKS significantly decreased the proliferation rate of tumor cells and the phosphorylation level of AKT induced by bFGF.Conclusion:IRTKS mediated the bFGF-induced cell proliferation through the phosphorylation of AKT in CRC cells,which may contribute to tumorigenicity in vivo.