Interferon beta(IFN-β) treatment exerts potential neuroprotective effects through neurotrophic factors and novel neurotensin/neurotensin high affinity receptor 1 pathway

Multiple sclerosis（MS）is a chronic autoimmune disease of the central nervous system（CNS）characterized by coexisting processes of inflammation,demyelination,axonal neurodegeneration,and gliosis.It is the most common disabling neurological disease in young adulthood.

Volumetric fluid analysis of fixed monthly anti-VEGF treatment in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration

·AIM:To evaluate visual outcomes and changes in fluid after administering monthly anti-vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)injections to treat neovascular agerelated macular degeneration(n AMD)with subretinal fluid(SRF)and pigment epithelial detachment(PED).·METHODS:This prospective study included eyes with n AMD previously treated with as-needed anti-VEGF injections.The patients were treated with six monthly intravitreal injections of ranibizumab.Quantitative volumetric segmentation analyses of the SRF and PED were performed.The main outcome measures included best-corrected visual acuity(BCVA),and SRF and PED volumes.·RESULTS:Twenty eyes of 20 patients were included in this study.At the 6-month follow-up,BCVA and PED volume did not change significantly(P=0.110 and 0.999,respectively)but the mean SRF volume decreased from 0.53±0.82 mm3 at baseline to 0.08±0.23 mm3(P=0.002).The absorption rate of the SRF volume was negatively correlated with the duration of previous antiVEGF treatment(P=0.029).Seven of the 20 eyes(35%)showed a fluid-free macula and significant improvement in BCVA(P=0.036)by month 6.·CONCLUSION:Quantifying the SRF can precisely determine the patient’s responsiveness to anti-VEGF treatment of n AMD.

Microthrombosis induced by mechanical factors and light-dye treatment

Introduction Thrombosis is the formation of a blood clot in a blood vessel. When thrombosis happens in the brain,it would cause stroke; when happens in the heart,it would cause heart attack. If a thrombus breaks and travels to the lung,it would

THE FACTORS AND TREATMENT OF LOCAL RECURRENCE AFTER RADICAL RESECTION RESERVING THE ANUS IN THE PATIENTS WITH RECTAL CANCER

Of seventy-one patients with rectal cancer after radical resection retaining the anus, 15 developed local recurrence with a recurrence rate of 21.1%. Local recurrence was correlated with improper safety margin from the lower edge of cancer to the anal end. There was statistical significant difference between 3 cm or more and 2 cm or less. The local recurrence was also related to the pathologic stage, histologic differentiation and implant of free cancer cells. It is suggested that the surgical indication of saving the anus be strict and without stretching, the safety margin from the lower edge of cancer to the anal end should not be less than 2 cm in early rectal cancer and not less than 4 cm in advanced lesions. During the operation, no touching tumor technique, thorough rinsing of the peritoneal cavity and pre- or post-operative radiotherapy are important for prevention of local recurrence. Early local recurrent rectal cancer can be detected by periodic examinations.

The application of the “Treatment in Accordance with Three Categories of Etiologic Factors” theory in the prevention and treatment of epidemic diseases in traditional Chinese medicine since the Ming and Qing Dynasties

“Treatment in accordance with three categories of etiologic factors”(consideration of the climatic and seasonal conditions,environment and individual’s constitution in the treatment of diseases),that is,treatment following time,place and individual,is one of the basic principles followed by Chinese medicine in the clinical treatment of diseases.This paper analyzes the similarities and differences in traditional Chinese medicine treatment of patients with epidemic diseases in different regions and periods since the Ming(1368-1644 C.E.)and Qing(1636-1912 C.E.)Dynasties.In addition,the theory of epidemic disease prevention and control based on the application of“treatment in accordance with three categories of etiologic factors”was discussed to inspire and guide the prevention and treatment of COVID-19.

Diabetic foot ulcers: A devastating complication of diabetes mellitus continues non-stop in spite of new medical treatment modalities

Diabetic foot ulcer is a devastating complication of diabetes mellitus and significant cause of mortality and morbidity all over the world and can be complex and costly.The development of foot ulcer in a diabetic patient has been estimated to be 19%-34%through their lifetime.The pathophysiology of diabetic foot ulcer consist of neuropathy,trauma and,in many patients,additional peripheral arterial disease.In particular,diabetic neuropathy leads to foot deformity,callus formation,and insensitivity to trauma or pressure.The standard algorithms in diabetic foot ulcer management include assessing the ulcer grade classification,surgical debridement,dressing to facilitate wound healing,offloading,vascular assessment(status and presence of a chance for interventional vascular correction),and infection and glycemic control.Although especially surgical procedures are sometimes inevitable,they are poor predictive factors for the prognosis of diabetic foot ulcer.Different novel treatment modalities such as nonsurgical debridement agents,oxygen therapies,and negative pressure wound therapy,topical drugs,cellular bioproducts,human growth factors,energy-based therapies,and systematic therapies have been available for patients with diabetic foot ulcer.However,it is uncertain whether they are effective in terms of promoting wound healing related with a limited number of randomized controlled trials.This review aims at evaluating diabetic foot ulcer with regard to all aspects.We will also focus on conventional and novel adjunctive therapy in diabetic foot management.

Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor as a treatment after spinal cord injury

Spinal cord injury（SCI）is a devastating trauma that currently affects 54 people out of every million,which is approximately 270,000people in the United States（National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center,2013）.The effects of such an injury can cause a loss of both motor and sensory function below the injury site,normally leaving the patient unable to care for themselves entirely and relying on family and friends to provide personal care.Currently there are no.

High Risk Factors of Pancreatic Carcinoma

Over the past decades, cancer has become one of the toughest challenges for health professionals. The epidemiologists are increasingly directing their research efforts on various malignant tumor worldwide. Of note, incidence of cancers is on the rise more quickly in developed countries. Indeed, great endeavors have to be made in the control of the life-threatening disease. As we know it, pancreatic cancer（PC） is a malignant disease with the worst prognosis. While little is known about the etiology of the PC and measures to prevent the condition, so far, a number of risk factors have been identified. Genetic factors, pre-malignant lesions, predisposing diseases and exogenous factors have been found to be linked to PC. Genetic susceptibility was observed in 10% of PC cases, including inherited PC syndromes and familial PC. However, in the remaining 90%, their PC might be caused by genetic factors in combination with environmental factors. Nonetheless, the exact mechanism of the two kinds of factors, endogenous and exogenous, working together to cause PC remains poorly understood. The fact that most pancreatic neoplasms are diagnosed at an incurable stage of the disease highlights the need to identify risk factors and to understand their contribution to carcinogenesis. This article reviews the high risk factors contributing to the development of PC, to provide information for clinicians and epidemiologists.

Effects of Heat Treatment on Thermoelectric and Infrared Properties of Bi_2Te_3 Films

In this work,Bi2Te3 films（250 nm） are fabricated on Si O2/Si substrates by radio frequency（RF） magnetron sputtering at room temperature,and the prepared films are annealed over the temperature range of 200 °C to 400 °C.Crystallinity and electrical properties of the films can be tuned correspondingly.The power factors of Bi2Te3 films of 0.85 μW/K2 cm to 11.43 μW/K2 cm were achieved after annealing.The infrared reflectance measurements from 2.5 μm to 5.0 μm demonstrate that there is also a slight red-shift of the plasma oscillation frequency in the Bi2Te3 films.By means of plasmonic calculations,we attribute the red-shift of absorption peaks to the reduction of carrier concentration and the change of effective mass of Bi2Te3 films with the increased annealing temperature.

Induction of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor expression in human umbilical vein endothelial cells after repeated bevacizumab treatment in vitro

AIM： To investigate the mechanism underlying the loss of responsiveness to anti-vascular endothelial growth factor（VEGF） treatment after repeated injections for choroidal neovascularization, VEGF and VEGF receptor（VEGFR） expressions were evaluated following repeated bevacizumab treatments in hypoxic human umbilical vein endothelial cells（HUVECs） in vitro.METHODS： HUVECs were incubated under hypoxic conditions in two media of different bevacizumab concentrations（1.0 or 2.5 mg/m L） for 17 h, and then in a new medium without bevacizumab for 7h. This procedure was repeated twice more. A culture with an identical volume of excipients served as the control. Cytotoxicity and cell proliferation were assessed using 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide and Ki-67 assays, respectively. Levels of VEGF and VEGFR were assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Western blot respectively.RESULTS： Cytotoxic effects were not reported for either bevacizumab concentration. Cell proliferation was not reduced after anti-VEGF treatments. VEGF level after single treatment was significantly higher than that of the control and after repeated treatments. Phosphorylated VEGFR-2 expression increased significantly after singleand repeated bevacizumab treatments compared with the control. The 1.0 mg/m L bevacizumab induced significantly higher expressions of VEGFR-2 than the 2.5 mg/m L in single and repeated treatment groups.CONCLUSION： Bevacizumab treatment of HUVECs elevated VEGFR expression in both single and repeated treatments, indicating a mechanism for the reduced efficacy of anti-VEGF therapy in ocular neovascular disorders.

Spontaneous or secondary to intravitreal injections of anti-angiogenic agents retinal pigment epithelial tears in age-related macular degeneration

·AIM:Toevaluatethevisualfunctionevolutionofretinal pigment epithelial(RPE) tears in patients with age-related macular degeneration(AMD) according to type of occurrence [spontaneous or secondary to anti-vascular endothelial growth factor(anti-VEGF) injection] and the topographic location of the tear after a two-year followup period.·METHODS: A total of 15 eyes of 14 patients with RPE tears in exudative AMD were analyzed retrospectively at the University Eye Clinic of Trieste. Inclusion criteria were: patient age of 50 or older with AMD and RPE tears both spontaneous occurring or post anti-VEGF treatment. Screening included: careful medical history,complete ophthalmological examination, fluorescein angiography(FA), indocyanine green angiography(ICG),autofluorescence and infrared imaging and optical coherence tomography(OCT). Patients were evaluated every month for visual acuity(VA), fundus examination and OCT. Other data reported were: presence of PED,number of injections before the tear, location of the lesion.·RESULTS:Meanfollow-up was24wk(SD±4wk). Atotal of 15 eyes were studied for RPE tear. In 6 cases(40%),the RPE tears occurred within two years of anti-VEGF injections the others occurred spontaneously. In 13cases(86.6%), the RPE tear was associated with pigment epithelial detachment(PED). In 7 cases(46.6%), the RPE tear occurred in the central area of the retina and involved the fovea. Two lesions were found in the parafoveal region, six in the extra-macular area. In all cases visual acuity decreased at the end of the follow-up period(P <0.01) independently of the type or the topographical location of the lesion.·CONCLUSION: RPE tear occurs in exudative AMD as a spontaneous complication or in relation to anti-VEGF injections. Visual acuity decreased significantly and gradually in the follow-up period in all cases. No correlation was found between visual loss and the type of onset or the topographic location of the tears.

Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor： the future treatment of choroidal neovascularization in pathologic myopia

-yopia is the most common refractive disorder. High .myopia affects 27%-33% of all myopic eyes inAsia.1,2 ;The pathologic myopia （PM） is the most severe vision-threatening phenotype of high myopia.3 It is also the second most common cause of choroidal neovascularization （CNV） in Asia. Unlike age-related macular degeneration （AMD） which mostly effecting elders, PM causes severe vision loss in young adults, resulting in a significant impairment of their working ability.4 PM has become the second leading cause of low vision and blindness particularly among those aged at 40-49 years in some Asia countries.

Identification of WRKY Transcription Factors Related to Saikosaponin Biosynthesis in Adventitious Roots of Bupleurum chinense

Objective To identify the genes of WRKY transcription factors（TFs） from roots of Bupleurum chinense and genes that potentially regulate saikosaponin（SS） biosynthesis.Methods Firstly,the subfamily cluster analysis was mainly based on Arabidopsis thaliana WRKYs for 27 putative WRKY TFs selected from previous transcriptome sequencing data.Secondly,qPCR was used to screen such genes of WRKY TFs that could be induced by NaCI and PEG6000 in adventitious roots of B.chinense.Meanwhile,saikosaponins（SSs） in treated adventitious roots were determined by HPLC.The roots were collected at 0,2,4,8,12,24,48,and 72 h after treatments,and 120 h only for PEG.Finally,the tissue-specific expression was analyzed on screened genes by qPCR.Results The 27 genes were grouped into three categories：There were nine in Group Ⅰ,15 in Group Ⅱ,and two in Group Ⅲ.Four genes of WRKYTFs,BCWRKY6,BCWRKY16,BCWRKY32,and BCWRKY35 were obviously induced by NaCI in adventitious roots of B.chinense,while only BCWRKY32 was induced by PEG.The content of SSs increased at different levels in NaCI and PEG6000 treatment.Three genes including BCWRKY6,BCWRKY32,and BCWRKY35,expressed most in roots,were similar to the accumulation pattern of SS.Conclusion The three WRKY genes,BCWRKY6,BCWRKY32,and BCWRKY35,may be involved in the biosynthesis of SS.

Characteristics of greenhouse gas emission in three full-scale wastewater treatment processes

Three full-scale wastewater treatment processes, Orbal oxidation ditch, anoxic/anaerobic/aerobic （reversed A^2O） and anaerobic/anoxic/aerobic （A^2O）, were selected to investigate the emission characteristics of greenhouse gases （GHG）, including carbon dioxide （CO2）, methane （CH4） and nitrous oxide （N2O）. Results showed that although the processes were different, the units presenting high GHG emission fluxes were remarkably similar, namely the highest CO2 and N2O emission fluxes occurred in the aerobic areas, and the highest CH4 emission fluxes occurred in the grit tanks. The GHG emission amount of each unit can be calculated from its area and GHG emission flux. The calculation results revealed that the maximum emission amounts of CO2, CH4 and N2O in the three wastewater treatment processes appeared in the aerobic areas in all cases. Theoretically, CH4 should be produced in anaerobic conditions, rather than aerobic conditions. However, results in this study showed that the CH4 emission fluxes in the forepart of the aerobic area were distinctly higher than in the anaerobic area. The situation for N2O was similar to that of CH4： the N2O emission flux in the aerobic area was also higher than that in the anoxic area. Through analysis of the GHG mass balance, it was found that the flow of dissolved GHG in the wastewater treatment processes and aerators may be the main reason for this phenomenon. Based on the monitoring and calculation results, GHG emission factors for the three wastewater treatment processes were determined. The A^2O process had the highest CO2 emission factor of 319.3 g CO2/kg CODremoved, and the highest CH4 and N2O emission factors of 3.3 g CH4/kg CODremoved and 3.6 g N2O/kg TNremoved were observed in the Orbal oxidation ditch process.

A chemometric analysis on the fluorescent dissolved organic matter in a full-scale sequencing batch reactor for municipal wastewater treatment

Rapid monitoring of water quality is crucial to the operation of municipal wastewater treatment plants （WWTPs）. Fluorescence excitation-emission matrix （EEM） in combination with parallel lhctor analysis （PARAFAC） has been used as a powerful tool for the characterization of dissolved organic matter （DOM） in WWTPs. However, a recent work has revealed the drawback of PARAFAC analysis, i.e., overestimating the component number. A novel method, parallel lhctor framework-clustering analysis （PFFCA）,＂has been cleveloped in our earlier work to resolve this drawback of PARAFAC. In the present work, both PARAFAC and PFFCA were used to analyze the EEMs of water samples from a full-scale WWTP from a practical application point of view. The component number and goodness-of- fit from these two methods were compared and the relationship between the relative score change of component and the actual concentration was investigated to evaluate the estimation error introduced by 9 both methods. PFFCA score and actual concentration exhibited a higher correlation coefficient （R- = 0.870） compared with PARAFAC （R2〈 0.771）, indicating that PFFCA provided a more accurate relative change estimation than PARAFAC. The results suggest that use of PARAFAC may cause confusion in selecting the component number, while EEM-PFFCA is a more reliable alternative approach for monitoring water quality in WWTPs.