Clinical significance of tumor-associated macrophage infiltration in supraglottic laryngeal carcinoma

Tumor-associated macrophages(TAMs) can elicit contrasting effects on tumor progression,depending on different tumor microenvironment.This study aimed to explore the correlation between TAM infiltration and clinicopathologic characteristics,metastasis,and prognosis of supraglottic laryngeal carcinoma.TAMs in intratumoral and peritumoral regions of 84 specimens of supraglottic laryngeal carcinoma tissues were detected by immunohistochemical staining with monoclonal CD68 antibody.The density of peritumoral CD68+ TAMs in recurrence cases(9/11) and in dead cases(17/23) were significantly higher than those in non-recurrence cases(33/73) and in survival cases(25/61),with significant differences(P = 0.024 and 0.007,respectively).The Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed a significant relationship between the infiltration of both intratumoral and peritumoral CD68 + TAMs and the overall survival of patients.The 5year survival rate was significantly lower in the group with a high density of intratumoral CD68+ TAMs than in the group with a low density(39.6% vs.82.5%,P < 0.05).Similarly,the 5-year survival rate was significantly lower in the group with a high density of peritumoral CD68+ TAMs than in the group with a low density(50.6% vs.73.1%,P < 0.05).Cox regression analysis revealed that T classification,distant metastasis,and intratumoral or peritumoral CD68 + TAMs were independent factors for disease-free survival,whereas T classification and intratumoral CD68 + TAMs were independent factors for overall survival.The results indicate that TAM infiltration in supraglottic laryngeal carcinoma can be used to predict metastasis and prognosis and is an independent factor for prognosis.

Development and validation of the perioperative recovery scale for integrative medicine

Purpose: The aim of this study is to develop and validate a scale for perioperative recovery with integrative medicine. Methods: The procedures for developing the scale included a review of both modern and ancient literature, other perioperative scales or questionnaire references, an expert consultation, and interviews with patients and surgeons following standard procedures. Primary face and content validity were assessed through a small-scale patient survey of 50 patients. A final evaluation based on the patient survey was conducted among 354 patients (age range 16-75) from the same hospital. This included testing the perioperative recovery scale for integrative medicine (PRSIM) for scaling properties, reliability, validity and responsiveness. Results: The PRSIM, a 20-item scale, was modified from an initial version transcript which included 122 items. The 20 items in the PRSIM covered five domains: direct influence, indirect influence, activity, mental function and general health perceptions. Five factors extracted from an exploratory factor analysis demonstrated a desirable model fit. A confirmatory factor analysis further indicated that the PRSIM had a good fit with the same sample. A data analysis of the PRSIM with 349 patients showed that it had good internal consistency (α> 0.7), test-retest reliability (ICC > 0.4) and split half reliability (α= 0.66). Conclusions: The PRSIM can serve as a valuable instrument for assessing patient perioperative recovery in integrative medicine. It is acceptable for patients in the perioperative period undergoing treatment by either Chinese or integrative medicine, and has good psychometric properties. Registration number: ChiCTR-TRC-09000527.

Polymer-based nanoparticulate solid dispersions prepared by a modified electrospraying process

A modified electrospraying process is exploited to enhance the dissolution profiles of a poorly water-soluble drug. With polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as a hydrophilic polymer matrix and ketoprofen (KET) as a model drug, polymer-drug composites in the form of nanoparticles were prepared and characterized. The surface morphologies, the physical status of the drug, and the drug-polymer interactions were studied using FESEM, DSC, XRD, and ATR-FTIR. FESEM observations demonstrated that the nanoparticles gradually decreased in size from 640 ± 350, to 530 ± 320, 460 ± 200 and 320 ± 160 nm as the KET content increased from 0, to 9.1%, 16.7% and 33.3% w/w, respectively. Results from DSC and XRD suggested that KET was distributed in the PVP matrix in an amorphous manner at the molecular level. This is thought to be due to their compatibility, arising through hydrogen bonding as demonstrated by ATR- FTIR spectra. In vitro dissolution tests showed that the nanoparticles released the incorporated KET within 1 min, evidencing markedly improved dissolution over pure KET and a KET-PVP physical mixture. Electrospraying can hence offer a facile route to develop new polymer composites for biomedical applications, in particular for improving dissolution rate of poorly water-soluble drugs.

Effects of boundary slippage on thin-film lubricationbetween two nonparallel plane plates

Hydrodynamic lubrications between two plane plates with an intersection angle θ have been investigated us- ing the boundary slippage theory, and relations are obtained between dimensionless pressures and coordinate x, between bearing capacity, friction force, friction coefficient and di- mensionless slipping size factor. The results show that bear- ing capacity of two plane plates without boundary slippage significantly increases with increasing intersection angle θ when 0 〈 θ 〈 1°, whereas decreases with increasing in- tersection angle 0 when θ 〉 1°. The results also show that negative pressure occurs in fluid entrance region and bearing capacity decreases, and friction force and friction coefficient increase with the increase of dimensionless slipping size fac- tor.

Relapsing polychondritis with isolated tracheobronchial involvement complicated with Sjogren's syndrome:A case report

BACKGROUNDRelapsing polychondritis (RP) is a rare, long-term, and potentially life-threateningdisease characterised by recurrent paroxysmal inflammation that can involve anddestroy the cartilage of the external ear, nose, larynx, and trachea.CASE SUMMARYWe here report a case of RP involving solely the tracheobronchial cartilage ring(and not the auricular. nasal or articular cartilage) complicated by Sjögren's syndrome in a 47-year-old female whose delayed diagnosis caused a sharpdecline in pulmonary function. After corticosteroid treatment, her pulmonaryfunction improved.CONCLUSIONIn such cases, our experience suggested that 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positronemission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) and fiberopticbronchoscopy should be used to diagnose airway chondritis as relapsing polychondritisin the early phase of disease.

A three-year clinical investigation of a Chinese child with craniometaphyseal dysplasia caused by a mutated ANKH gene

BACKGROUND Craniometaphyseal dysplasia(CMD)is a rare genetic disorder.Autosomal dominant CMD(AD-CMD)is caused by mutations in the ANKH gene.Affected individuals typically have distinctive facial features including progressive thickening of the craniofacial bones.Treatment for AD-CMD primarily consists of surgical intervention to release compression of the cranial nerves and the brain stem/spinal cord.To alleviate progression of the clinical course and improve the quality of life in children waiting to undergo the necessary surgery,we investigated clinical changes in a diagnosed patient with AD-CMD over three years.CASE SUMMARY A 17-mo-old boy presented with progressive nasal obstruction,snoring and hearing loss symptoms.Physical examination showed enlargement of the head circumference and clinical features such as wide nasal bridge,paranasal bossing,widely spaced eyes with an increased bizygomatic width,and a prominent mandible.The patient underwent otolaryngological examination,endoscopy,hearing test,laboratory examination of phosphorus and bone metabolism,cranial and femoral computed tomography,X-ray and next-generation sequencing.The patient was diagnosed with AD-CMD due to p.Phe377 deletion(c.1129_1131del)on exon 9 of the ANKH gene.After adherence to a prescribed low-calcium diet,the boy’s alkaline phosphatase(ALP)levels continuously decreased to within the normal range.However,after 14 mo of dietary intervention,his parents altered his diet to an intermittent low-calcium diet to include milk and eggs.The patient’s ALP was slightly higher than normal after the dietary change but remained close to the normal range.His serum osteocalcin changed to within normal levels after dietary regulation for 33 mo.His serum combined beta C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen also continuously decreased after the nutritional intervention,although still slightly higher than normal levels.Despite fluctuating blood test results,the boy’s nasal symptoms were markedly relieved and steadily improved after dietary intervention.No significant changes were found in the craniofacial bones by cranial radiography.Close monitoring of clinical features is still ongoing.Calcitriol treatment is currently under consideration and a surgical procedure is planned as necessary in the future.CONCLUSION We herein report the first Chinese case of AD-CMD with heterozygous mutation of p.Phe377 deletion(c.1129_1131del)on the ANKH gene.Biochemical alterations were significantly improved after dietary intervention indicating that a lowcalcium diet may be applied in pediatric AD-CMD patients with ANKH mutations to help alleviate phenotypic manifestations and improve the quality of life before surgical intervention.Further large scale studies are needed to replicate these findings and to establish the appropriate timing for nutritional and surgical interventions。

Analysis on the psychological characteristics of patients with acute iridocyclitis

【正】Dear Sir,I am Dr.Wei Sun,from the Department of Ophthalmology,the Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University,Eye Hospital of China Medical University,shenyang,Liaoning Province,China.I write to present our study on the psychological characteristics of patients with acute iridocyclitis.Studies showed stimulation from patient’s external environment could influence their psychological state,persisting neural endocrine disorders that might lead to a series of physiological and psychological changes in the human body[1-6].It was confirmed many ocular diseases were

Correlation between 25 hydroxyvitamin D3 and carotid atherosclerosis of newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus

Objective: To investigate the correlation between 25 hydroxyvitamin D3[25(OH)D3] and carotid atherosclerosis of newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods: A total of 258 patients with newly diagnosed T2DM in this hospital between July 2015 and July 2017 were selected as T2DM group, and 100 subjects with normal glucose metabolism who received physical examination in this hospital during the same period were selected as normal control group. The differences in serum 25(OH)D3 levels, ultrasonic carotid atherosclerosis parameters as well as serum lipid metabolism index and inflammatory adipocytokines contents were compared between the two groups. Pearson test was used to assess the correlation between serum 25(OH)D3 level and carotid atherosclerosis in patients with newly diagnosed T2DM. Results: Serum 25(OH)D3 content of T2DM group was lower than that of normal control group;PWV and CC levels of the ultrasonic left and right carotid arteries were higher than those of normal control group;serum lipid metabolism indexes TC and LDL-C contents were higher than those of normal control group whereas HDL-C content was lower than that of normal control group;serum inflammatory cytokine APN content was lower than that of normal control group whereas CHEM, RSTN and LEP contents were higher than those of normal control group. Pearson test showed that serum 25(OH)D3 level in T2DM patients was directly correlated with the degree of carotid atherosclerosis. Conclusion: Serum 25(OH)D3 level is abnormally low in patients with newly diagnosed T2DM, and the specific decrease is directly correlated with the degree of carotid atherosclerosis and can be used as an early evaluation indicator for carotid artery disease in patients with T2DM.

Study on the relationship between PI3K/AKT signaling pathway and apoptosis in cartilage tissue of rats with osteoarthritis

Objective:To study the relationship between PI3K/AKT signaling pathway and apoptosis in cartilage tissue of rats with osteoarthritis (OA).Methods: The clean male Wistar rats were selected as experimental animals and randomly divided into OA model group and control group. The OA model was established by intra-articular injection of papain solution and L-cysteine. Fourth weeks and eighth weeks after model establishment, the expression of PI3K/AKT signaling molecules, inflammatory mediators, apoptosis marker molecules and autophagy marker molecules in articular cartilage were determined.Results: p-PI3K and p-AKT expression in articular cartilage of OA group were significantly lower than those of control group;IL-1β, IL-6, IL-17, IL-18, eIF4E, Bax, Caspase-3, mTOR, Beclin1, Atg5 and Atg7 expression in articular cartilage of OA group were significantly higher than those of control group and negatively correlated with p-PI3K and p-AKT expression while Bcl-2 expression in articular cartilage of OA group was significantly lower than that of control group and positively correlated with p-PI3K and p-AKT expression.Conclusion:The inhibition of PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in cartilage tissue of OA rat model can promote chondrocyte apoptosis and autophagy.

Involvement of Sox9a in chondrogenesis and gonadal development in teleost Nile tilapia(Oreochromis niloticus)

DEAR EDITOR,Sox9 is a member of the Sry-related high-mobility group box(Sox)transcription factor family in animals.In teleost fish,Sox9 undergoes duplication to generate two duplicates,namely Sox9a and Sox9b.However,the functions of these duplicates in the teleost Nile tilapia(Oreochromis niloticus)remain unclear.In this study,we characterized the roles of Nile tilapia Sox9a in chondrogenesis and gonadal development.In situ hybridization assays showed that Sox9a was mainly expressed in cartilage tissues and somatic cells surrounding germ cells of the gonads.CRISPR/Cas9-mediated homozygous mutation of the Sox9a gene resulted in craniofacial deformities and missed mandibles,as well as impaired the expression of Col2a1a that is involved in chondrogenesis.In addition,germ cell number and DNA replication in somatic cells in the gonads of both sexes were reduced following Sox9a mutation.Taken together,this study demonstrates that Sox9a is involved in cartilage development and germ cell proliferation in Nile tilapia.

Alzheimer’s disease early diagnostic and staging biomarkers revealed by large-scale cerebrospinal fluid and serum proteomic profiling

Amyloid-b,tau pathology,and biomarkers of neurodegeneration make up the core diagnostic biomarkers of Alzheimer disease(AD).However,these proteins represent only a fraction of the complex biological processes underlying AD,and individuals with other brain diseases in which AD pathology is a comorbidity also test positive for these diagnostic biomarkers.More ADspecific early diagnostic and disease staging biomarkers are needed.In this study,we performed tandem mass tag proteomic analysis of paired cerebrospinal fluid(CSF)and serum samples in a discovery cohort comprising 98 participants.Candidate biomarkers were validated by parallel reaction monitoring–based targeted proteomic assays in an independent multicenter cohort comprising 288 participants.We quantified 3,238 CSF and 1,702 serum proteins in the discovery cohort,identifying 171 and 860 CSF proteins and 37 and 323 serum proteins as potential early diagnostic and staging biomarkers,respectively.In the validation cohort,58 and 21 CSF proteins,as well as 12 and 18 serum proteins,were verified as early diagnostic and staging biomarkers,respectively.Separate 19-protein CSF and an 8-protein serum biomarker panels were built by machine learning to accurately classify mild cognitive impairment(MCI)due to AD from normal cognition with areas under the curve of 0.984 and 0.881,respectively.The 19-protein CSF biomarker panel also effectively discriminated patients with MCI due to AD from patients with other neurodegenerative diseases.Moreover,we identified 21 CSF and 18 serum stage-associated proteins re-flecting AD stages.Our findings provide a foundation for developing bloodbased tests for AD screening and staging in clinical practice.

电磁导航支气管镜引导冷冻肺活检对肺外周结节的诊断价值

目的评价电磁导航引导冷冻肺活检对外周型肺孤立型小结节(SPN)的诊断价值。方法回顾性分析2016年1月1日-2018年7月8日于该院用不同方法行经支气管肺组织活检的76例外周型SPN(直径≤3.0 cm)患者的临床资料,根据活检方法的不同分为电磁导航引导冷冻肺活检(ENBCB)组和电磁导航引导活检钳肺活检(ENBLB)组,比较两种活检方法的标本大小、诊断率、操作时间及并发症,最后诊断结果通过外科手术切除病灶行病理检查或者随访2年至临床治愈确诊。结果 ENBCB组和ENBLB组的病灶平均直径分别为(21.0±8.0)和(22.0±8.0)mm。两组病灶大小比较,差异无统计学意义(t=0.68,P=0.590)。ENBCB组及ENBLB组活检标本大小分别为(10.5±4.2)和(2.9±1.3)mm^2,差异有统计学意义(t=-14.56,P <0.05);ENBCB组和ENBLB组的诊断率分别为89.2%(33/37)和69.2%(27/39),ENBCB组诊断率高于ENBLB组(χ~2=4.55,P=0.033)。亚组分析:病灶直径为2.0～3.0 cm时两组诊断率差异无统计学意义(χ~2=0.00,P=1.000);病灶直径<2.0 cm时,ENBCB组诊断率高于ENBLB组(χ~2=4.88,P=0.027)。ENBCB组与ENBLB组的操作时间分别为(64.7±14.2)和(36.4±12.8)min,两组差异有统计学意义(t=-18.78,P=0.002);并发症方面,两组均未发生严重大出血和气胸,轻到中度出血的病例ENBCB组为40.5%(15/37),ENBLB组为17.9%(7/39),差异有统计学意义(χ~2=4.71,P=0.030)。结论与ENBLB相比,ENBCB操作时间相对较长,但在获得标本大小及提高外周型SPN的诊断率方面具有优势,安全性良好。

MicroRNA-181b对2型糖尿病胰岛素分泌调节的作用及其机制研究

目的探讨microRNA-181b(miR-181b)能否通过靶向调控NDRG2参与2型糖尿病胰岛素分泌的调节。方法选用小鼠胰岛β细胞进行体外传代培养,构建NDRG2野生型(NDRG2^(WT)-1uc)与突变型(NDRG2^(MUT)-1uc)荧光素酶报告基因质粒并进行转染,转染结束后进行双荧光素酶报告分析。构建NDRG2过表达和敲低质粒并转染小鼠胰岛β细胞,检测NDRG2 mRNA和蛋白表达、胰岛素分泌量。未转染的小鼠胰岛β细胞培养48 h后采用实时荧光定量聚合酶链反应检测miR-181b和NDRG2 mRNA的表达。采用葡萄糖刺激的胰岛素释放试验检测5 mmol/L和20 mmol/L葡萄糖条件下的小鼠胰岛β细胞分泌的胰岛素。结果(1)荧光素酶报告基因实验检测发现,各组相对荧光强度比较,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。miR-181b模拟物可以明显抑制NDRG2^(WT)-luc的3’端非翻译区的表达,但对NDRG2-MUT组和Control组无明显影响;miR-181b inhibitor可以加强NDRG2^(WT)-luc的3’-端非翻译区的表达,但对NDRG2-MUT组和Control组无明显影响。(2)过表达组NDRG2 mRNA和蛋白相对表达量高于过表达对照组(P<0.05);在5 mmol/L葡萄糖条件下,过表达组与过表达对照组胰岛素分泌量比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);在20 mmol/L葡萄糖条件下,过表达对照组胰岛素分泌量高于过表达组(P<0.05)。敲低组NDRG2 mRNA和蛋白相对表达量低于敲低对照组(P<0.05);在5 mmol/L葡萄糖条件下,敲低组与敲低对照组胰岛素分泌量比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);在20 mmol/L葡萄糖条件下,敲低组胰岛素分泌量高于敲低对照组(P<0.05)。(3)5 mmol/L葡萄糖组与对照组的miR-181b和NDRG2 mRNA相对表达量比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);20 mmol/L葡萄糖组miR-181b相对表达量高于对照组和5 mmol/L葡萄糖组(P<0.05),NDRG2 mRNA相对表达量低于对照组和5 mmol/L葡萄糖组(P<0.05)。(4)5 mmol/L葡萄糖条件下,Control组、miR-181b mimics组、miR-181b inhibitor组胰岛素分泌量比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。在20 mmol/L葡萄糖条件下,miR-181b mimics组胰岛素分泌量高于Control组(P<0.05),miR-1b1 inhibitor组胰岛素分泌量低于Control组和miR-181b mimics组(P<0.05)。结论miR-181b可以通过靶向抑制NDRG2的表达来提高胰岛素的分泌。

Efficacy and safety of nerve growth factor for the treatment of neurological diseases:a meta-analysis of 64 randomized controlled trials involving 6,297 patients

OBJECTIVE： China is the only country where nerve growth factor is approved for large-scale use as a clinical medicine. More than 10 years ago, in 2003, nerve growth factor injection was listed as a national drug. The goal of this article is to evaluate comprehensively the efficacy and safety of nerve growth factor for the treatment of neurological diseases. DATA RETRIEVAL： A computer-based retrieval was performed from six databases, including the Cochrane Library, PubMed, EMBASE, Sino Med, CNKI, and the VIP database, searching from the clinical establishment of nerve growth factor for treatment until December 31, 2013. The key words for the searches were ＂nerve growth factor, randomized controlled trials＂ in Chinese and in English. DATA SELECTION： Inclusion criteria： any study published in English or Chinese referring to randomized controlled trials of nerve growth factor; patients with neurological diseases such as peripheral nerve injury, central nerve injury, cranial neuropathy, and nervous system infections; patients older than 7 years; similar research methods and outcomes assessing symptoms; and measurement of nerve conduction velocities. The meta-analysis was conducted using Review Manager 5.2.3 software. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： The total effective rate, the incidence of adverse effects, and the nerve conduction velocity were recorded for each study. RESULTS： Sixty-four studies involving 6,297 patients with neurological diseases were included. The total effective rate in the group treated with nerve growth factor was significantly higher than that in the control group （P 〈 0.0001, RR： 1.35, 95%CI： 1.30-1.40）. The average nerve conduction velocity in the nerve growth factor group was significantly higher than that in the control group （P 〈 0.00001, MD. 4.59 m/s, 95%CI： 4.12-5.06）. The incidence of pain or sclero- ma at the injection site in the nerve growth factor group was also higher than that in the control group （P 〈 0.00001, RR： 6.30, 95%CI： 3.53-11.27）, but such adverse effects were mild. CONCLUSION： Nerve growth factor can significantly improve nerve function in patients with nervous system disease and is safe and effective.

Evaluation of HCPTd_1, d_(14)-double passaged intervening chemotherapy protocol for hepatocellular carcinoma

AIM: To establish a kind of standardization of the clinical chemotherapeutic prototypes for unresectable hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC).METHODS: 10-Hydroxycamptothecin (HCPT) was applied through transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) to HCC patients who were categorized into three groups: (1) test group: treatment with HCPT twice (HCPT d1 and 14) through TAE and portal venous embolization. (2) Control Ⅰ: treatment with anticancer drugs without HCPT. (3) Control Ⅱ: treatment with HCPT as a major component in anticancer drugs once (HCPT d1). A set of comparisons between test groups and control Ⅰ and Ⅱ groups were performed before and after the treatment to study the effectiveness of each treatment, in terms of tumor volumes, dynamic variations in serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), gamma-glutamyl transferase hepatoma-specific band (GGT-Ⅱ), patient survival and adverse events.RESULTS: The general effectiveness rate of the test group reached 62.1% (72/116), remarkably higher than that of control Ⅰ (32.1%, 40/124) and control Ⅱ (54.7%, 47/56),(P＜0.01 and P＜0.05, respectively). Especially, the reduction rate or disappearance of the portal vein tumor emboli was as high as 88.4% (61/69) in the test group, in contrast with 13.9% (10/72) in control Ⅰ and 35.9% (18/51) in control Ⅱ (P＜0.01 and P＜0.01, respectively). After treatment, AFP decreased or turned to negative levels at 52.3% (34/65)in control I, 67.3% (35/52) in control Ⅱ, and 96.8% (60/62)in the test group. Also GGT-Ⅱ declined or became negative at 37.8% (28/74) in control Ⅰ, 69.5% (57/82) in control Ⅱ,and 94.7% (89/94) in test group (P＜0.01 and P＜0.05,respectively).CONCLUSION: We have designed a good protocol (test group) to treat HCC with excellent advantages of high efficiency, low cost, low toxicity and low adverse events and easy application. It could be recommended as one of the standardizations for HCC treatment in clinical practice.

Palmitate induces fat accumulation by activating C/EBPβ-mediated G0S2 expression in HepG2 cells

AIM To determine the role of G0/G1 switch gene 2(G0 S2) and its transcriptional regulation in palmitate-induced hepatic lipid accumulation.METHODS Hep G2 cells were treated with palmitate,or palmitate in combination with CCAAT/enhancer binding protein(C/EBP)β si RNA or G0 S2 si RNA. The m RNA expression of C/EBPβ,peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor(PPAR)γ and PPARγ target genes(G0 S2,GPR81,GPR109 A and Adipoq) was examined by q PCR. The protein expression of C/EBPβ,PPARγ,and G0 S2 was determined by Western blotting. Lipid accumulation was detected with Oil Red O staining and quantified by absorbance value of the extracted Oil Red O dye. Lipolysis was evaluated by measuring the amount of glycerol released into the medium. RESULTS Palmitate caused a dose-dependent increase in lipid accumulation and a dose-dependent decrease in lipolysis in Hep G2 cells. In addition,palmitate increased the m RNA expression of C/EBPβ,PPARγ,and PPARγ target genes(G0 S2,GPR81,GPR109 A,and Adipoq) and the protein expression of C/EBPβ,PPARγ,and G0 S2 in a dose-dependent manner. Knockdown of C/EBPβ decreased palmitate-induced PPARγ and its target genes(G0 S2,GPR81,GPR109 A,and Adipoq) m RNA expression and palmitate-induced PPARγ and G0 S2 protein expression in Hep G2 cells. Knockdown of C/EBPβ also attenuated lipid accumulation and augmented lipolysis in palmitate-treated Hep G2 cells. G0 S2 knockdown attenuated lipid accumulation and augmented lipolysis,while G0 S2 knockdown had no effects on the m RNA expression of C/EBPβ,PPARγ,and PPARγ target genes(GPR81,GPR109 A and Adipoq) in palmitate-treated Hep G2 cells. CONCLUSION Palmitate can induce lipid accumulation in Hep G2 cells by activating C/EBPβ-mediated G0 S2 expression.

Transplantation of autologous peripheral blood mononuclear cells in the subarachnoid space for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis:a safety analysis of 14 patients

There is a small amount of clinical data regarding the safety and feasibility of autologous peripheral blood mononuclear cell transplantation into the subarachnoid space for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.The objectives of this retrospective study were to assess the safety and efficacy of peripheral blood mononuclear cell transplantation in 14 amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients to provide more objective data for future clinical trials.After stem cell mobilization and collection,autologous peripheral blood mononuclear cells（1 × 109） were isolated and directly transplanted into the subarachnoid space of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients.The primary outcome measure was incidence of adverse events.Secondary outcome measures were electromyography 1 week before operation and 4 weeks after operation,Functional Independence Measurement,Berg Balance Scale,and Dysarthria Assessment Scale 1 week preoperatively and 1,2,4 and 12 weeks postoperatively.There was no immediate or delayed transplant-related cytotoxicity.The number of leukocytes,serum alanine aminotransferase and creatinine levels,and body temperature were within the normal ranges.Radiographic evaluation showed no serious transplant-related adverse events.Muscle strength grade,results of Functional Independence Measurement,Berg Balance Scale,and Dysarthria Assessment Scale were not significantly different before and after treatment.These findings suggest that peripheral blood mononuclear cell transplantation into the subarachnoid space for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is safe,but its therapeutic effect is not remarkable.Thus,a large-sample investigation is needed to assess its efficacy further.

Recent advances of computational aeroacoustics

Computational aeroacoustics （CAA） is an interdiscipline of aeroacoustics and computational fluid dynamics （CFD） for the investigation of sound generation and propagation from various aeroacoustics problems. In this review, the foundation and research scope of CAA are introduced firstly. A review of the early advances and applications of CAA is then briefly surveyed, focusing on two key issues, namely, high order finite difference scheme and non-reflecting boundary condition. Furthermore, the advances of CAA during the past five years are highlighted. Finally, the future prospective of CAA is briefly discussed.

Timing and approaches in congenital cataract surgery:a four-year,two-layer randomized controlled trial

AIM：To compare visual prognoses and postoperative adverse events of congenital cataract surgery performed at different times and using different surgical approaches.METHODS：In this prospective,randomized controlled trial,we recruited congenital cataract patients aged 3 mo or younger before cataract surgery.Sixty-one eligible patients were randomly assigned to two groups according to surgical timing：a 3-month-old group and a 6-month-old group.Each eye underwent one of three randomly assigned surgical procedures,as follows：surgery A,lens aspiration（I/A）;surgery B,lens aspiration with posterior continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis（I/A＋PCCC）;and surgery C,lens aspiration with posterior continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis and anterior vitrectomy（I/A＋PCCC＋A-Vit）.The long-term best-corrected visual acuity（BCVA） and the incidence of complications in the different groups were compared and analyzed.RESULTS：A total of 57 participants（114 eyes） with a mean follow-up period of 48.7 mo were included in the final analysis.The overall log MAR BCVA in the 6-month-old group was better than that in the 3-month-old group（0.81±0.28 vs 0.96±0.30;P=0.02）.The overall log MAR BCVA scores in the surgery B group were lower than the scores in the A and C groups（A：0.80±0.29,B：1.02±0.28,and C：0.84±0.28;P=0.007）.A multivariate linear regression revealed no significant relationships between the incidence of complications and long-term BCVA.CONCLUSION：It might be safer and more beneficial for bilateral total congenital cataract patients to undergosurgery at 6 mo of age than 3 mo.Moreover,with rigorous follow-up and timely intervention,the postoperative complications in these patients are treatable and do not compromise visual outcomes.

Post-conditioning with gradually increased reperfusion provides better cardioprotection in rats

BACKGROUND: Rapid and complete reperfusion has been widely adopted in the treatment of patients with acute myocardial infarction(AMI), but this process sometimes can cause severe reperfusion injury. This study aimed to investigate different patterns of post-conditioning in acute myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury, and to detect the role of mitogen activated protein kinase(MAPK) during the injury.METHODS: Rats were randomly divided into five groups: sham group, reperfusion injury(R/I) group, gradually decreased reperfusion group(GDR group, 30/10-25/15-15/25-10/30 seconds of reperfusion/ischemia), equal reperfusion group(ER group, 20/20 seconds reperfusion/ischemia, 4 cycles), and gradually increased reperfusion group(GIR group, 10/30-15/25-25/15-30/10 seconds of reperfusion/ischemia). Acute myocardial infarction and ischemic post-conditioning models were established in the rats. Six hours after reperfusion, 3 rats from each group were sacrificed and myocardial tissues were taken to measure the expressions of phosphorylation of extracellular signalregulated protein kinase(P-ERK), phosphorylated c-Jun N-terminal kinase(P-JNK), mitogen-activated protein kinase p38(p38 MAPK), tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), caspases-8 in the myocardial tissue, and cytochrome c in the cytosol using Western blot. Hemodynamics was measured at 24 hours after reperfusion, the blood was drawn for the determination of cardiac enzymes, and the heart tissue was collected for the measurement of apoptosis using TUNEL. One-way analysis of variance and the Q test were employed to determine differences in individual variables between the 5 groups.RESULTS: Three post-conditioning patterns were found to provide cardioprotection(P<0.05) compared with R/I without postconditioning. GIR provided the best cardioprotection effect, followed by ER and then GDR. Apoptotic index and serum marker levels were reduced more signifi cantly in GIR than in ER(P<0.05). The enhanced cardioprotection provided by GIR was accompanied with significantly increased levels of P-ERK 1/2(1.82±0.22 vs. 1.54±0.32, P<0.05), and lower levels of p-JNK, p38 MAPK, TNF-α, caspase-8, caspase-9 and cytochrome in the cytoplasm(P<0.05), compared with ER. The infarct size was smaller in the GIR group than in the ER group, but this difference was not significant(16.30%±5.22% vs. 20.57%±6.32%, P<0.05). All the measured variables were improved more signifi cantly in the GIR group than in the GDR group(P<0.05).CONCLUSION: Gradually increased reperfusion in post-conditioning could attenuate reperfusion injury more significantly than routine method, thereby the MAPK pathway plays an important role in this process.