Roles and application of exosomes in the development,diagnosis and treatment of gastric cancer

As important messengers of intercellular communication,exosomes can regulate local and distant cellular communication by transporting specific exosomal con-tents and can also promote or suppress the development and progression of gas-tric cancer(GC)by regulating the growth and proliferation of tumor cells,the tumor-related immune response and tumor angiogenesis.Exosomes transport bioactive molecules including DNA,proteins,and RNA(coding and noncoding)from donor cells to recipient cells,causing reprogramming of the target cells.In this review,we will describe how exosomes regulate the cellular immune respon-se,tumor angiogenesis,proliferation and metastasis of GC cells,and the role and mechanism of exosome-based therapy in human cancer.We will also discuss the potential application value of exosomes as biomarkers in the diagnosis and treat-ment of GC and their relationship with drug resistance.

Hydromassage of macular hole edges for large and persistent full-thickness macular holes

●AIM:To introduce the macular hole(MH)hydromassage technique as a potentially beneficial approach for the treatment of large or persistent MH.●METHODS:This retrospective observational case series comprised 16 consecutive patients(17 eyes)diagnosed with MH.Inclusion criteria involved a hole aperture diameter larger than 600μm or the presence of an unclosed MH larger than 600μm following the previous vitrectomy.Standard MH repair procedures were administered in all cases,involving the manipulation and aspiration of the hole margin through the application of water flow with a soft-tip flute needle.A comprehensive assessment was conducted for each case before and after surgery,and optical coherence tomography(OCT)images were captured at every follow-up point.●RESULTS:The mean preoperative aperture diameter was 747±156μm(range 611-1180μm),with a mean base diameter of 1390±435μm(range 578-2220μm).Following surgery,all cases achieved complete anatomical closure of MH,with 13 cases(76.5%)exhibiting type 1 closure and 4 cases(23.5%)demonstrating type 2 closure.No significant differences were observed in the preoperative OCT variables between the two closure types.Eyes with type 1 closure showed a significantly improved visual acuity(0.70±0.10,range 0.50-0.80)compared to those with type 2 closure(0.90±0.12,range 0.80-1.00,P=0.014).●CONCLUSION:The MH hydromassage technique demonstrates promising results,achieving acceptable closure rates in cases of large or persistent MH.This technique may serve as an effective adjunctive maneuver during challenging MH surgery.

Evaluation of teplizumab's efficacy and safety in treatment of type 1 diabetes mellitus:A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND Islets of Langerhans beta cells diminish in autoimmune type 1 diabetes mellitus(T1DM).Teplizumab,a humanized anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody,may help T1DM.Its long-term implications on clinical T1DM development,safety,and efficacy are unknown.AIM To assess the effectiveness and safety of teplizumab as a therapeutic intervention for individuals with T1DM.METHODS A systematic search was conducted using four electronic databases(PubMed,Embase,Scopus,and Cochrane Library)to select publications published in peerreviewed journals written in English.The odds ratio(OR)and risk ratio(RR)were calculated,along with their 95%CI.We assessed heterogeneity using Cochrane Q and I2 statistics and the appropriate P value.RESULTS There were 8 randomized controlled trials(RCTs)in the current meta-analysis with a total of 1908 T1DM patients from diverse age cohorts,with 1361 patients receiving Teplizumab and 547 patients receiving a placebo.Teplizumab was found to have a substantial link with a decrease in insulin consumption,with an OR of 4.13(95%CI:1.72 to 9.90).Teplizumab is associated with an improved Cpeptide response(OR 2.49;95%CI:1.62 to 3.81)and a significant change in Glycated haemoglobin A1c(HbA1c)levels in people with type 1 diabetes[OR 1.75(95%CI:1.03 to 2.98)],and it has a RR of 0.71(95%CI:0.53 to 0.95).CONCLUSION In type 1 diabetics,teplizumab decreased insulin consumption,improved C-peptide response,and significantly changed HbA1c levels with negligible side effects.Teplizumab appears to improve glycaemic control and diabetes management with good safety and efficacy.

miR-200b-3p accelerates progression of pituitary adenomas by negatively regulating expression of RECK

MicroRNA(miR)-200b-3p has been associated with many tumors,but its involvement in pituitary adenoma is unclear.This study investigated the molecular mechanism underlying miR-200b-3p regulation in pituitary adenomas to provide a theoretical basis for treatment.Bioinformatics was used to analyze pituitary adenoma-related genes and screen new targets related to RECK and miRNA.As well,the relationship between miR-200b-3p and RECK protein was verified using a double-luciferase reporter gene assay.The expression of miR-200b-3p in clinical samples was analyzed by in situ hybridization.Transfection of the miR-200b-3p inhibitor and small interfering-RECK(si-RECK)was verified by qPCR.GH3 cell viability and proliferation were detected using CCK8 and EdU assays.Apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry and western blotting.Wound healing and Transwell assays were used to detect cell migration and invasion.The effects of miR-200b-3p and RECK on GH3 cells were verified using salvage experiments.miR-200b-3p was highly expressed in pituitary tumor tissue.Inhibitors of miR-200b-3p inhibited cell proliferation promoted cell apoptosis,inhibited invasion and migration,and inhibited the expression of matrix metalloproteinases.Interestingly,miR-200b-3p negatively regulated RECK.The expression of RECK in pituitary adenoma tissues was lower than that in neighboring tissues.Si-RECK rescued the function of miR-200b-3p inhibitors in the above cellular behaviors,and miR-200b-3p accelerated the development of pituitary adenoma by negatively regulating RECK expression.In summary,this study investigated the molecular mechanism by which miR-200b-3p regulates the progression of pituitary adenoma through the negative regulation of RECK.The findings provide a new target for the treatment of pituitary adenoma.

Betulinic acid-mediating miRNA-365 inhibited the progression of pancreatic cancer

Background:The dilemma of pancreatic cancer treatment has become a global challenge.For this reason,effective,feasible,and new medical methods are currently much-needed.Betulinic acid(BA)has been valued as a potential therapy for pancreatic cancer.However,the mechanism by which BA exerts an inhibitory effect on the development of pancreatic cancer remains elusive.Methods:A rat model and two cell models of pancreatic cancer were established,and the effect of BA on pancreatic cancer was verified in vivo and in vitro by using MTT,Transwell,flow cytometry,RT-PCR,Elisa and immunohistochemistry.At the same time,miR-365 inhibitors were introduced to test whether BA played a role in mediating miR-365.Results:BA can significantly inhibit the proliferation and invasion of pancreatic cancer cells and promote apoptosis.In vivo experiments,BA can significantly lower the number of cancer cells and tumor volume in the rat model of pancreatic cancer.In vitro,it was found that BA inhibited the protein level and phosphorylation level of AKT/STAT3 by mediating the expression of miR365/BTG2/IL-6.Like BA,miR-365 inhibitors also significantly inhibited cell viability and invasion ability,and inhibited the protein level and phosphorylation level of AKT/STAT3 by changing the expression of BTG2/IL-6,and their combination had a synergistic effect.Conclusion:BA inhibits AKT/STAT3 expression and phosphorylation by modulating miR-365/BTG2/IL-6 expression,and BA inhibits the progression of pancreatic cancer through the aforementioned mechanism.

Study on the correlation between ambient environment-meteorological factors and the number of visits of acute otitis media,Lanzhou,China

To investigate the correlation between environmental-meteorological factors and daily visits for acute otitis media(AOM)in Lanzhou,China.Methods:Data were collected in 2014e2016 by the Departments of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at two hospitals in Lanzhou.Relevant information,including age,sex and visiting time,was collected.Environmental data included air quality index,PM10,PM2.5,O3,CO,NO2 and SO2,and meteorological data included daily average temperature(T,C),daily mean atmospheric pressure(AP,hPa),daily average relative humidity(RH,%)and daily mean wind speed(W,m/s).The SPSS22.0 software was used to generate Spearman correlation coefficients in descriptive statistical analysis,and the R3.5.0 software was used to calculate relative risk(RR)and to obtain exposure-response curves.The relationship between meteorological-environmental parameters and daily AOM visits was summarized.Results:Correlations were identified between daily AOM visits and CO,O3,SO2,CO,NO2,PM2.5 and PM10 levels.NO2,SO2,CO,AP,RH and T levels significantly correlated with daily AOM visits with a lag exposure-response pattern.The effects of CO,NO2,SO2 and AP on daily AOM visits were significantly stronger compared to other factors(P<0.01).O3,W,T and RH were negatively correlated with daily AOM visits.The highest RR lagged by 3e4 days.Conclusions:The number of daily AOM visits appeared to be correlated with short-term exposure to mixed air pollutants and meteorological factors from 2014 through 2016 in Lanzhou.

Various approaches of laparoscopic common bile duct exploration plus primary duct closure for choledocholithiasis:A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background： Common bile duct （CBD） stones may occur in up to 3%–14.7% of all patients with cholecystectomy.Various approaches of laparoscopic CBD exploration plus primary duct closure （PDC） are the most commonly used and the best methods to treat CBD stone. This systematic review was to comparethe effectiveness and safety of the various approaches of laparoscopic CBD exploration plus PDC forcholedocholithiasis

Repair of abnormal perfusion foci in idiopathic epilepsy patients under long-term antiepileptic treatment

Epileptic seizure control and the disappearance of epileptJform discharge are not indicative of the absence of abnormal perfusion foci. Perfusion abnormalities are a major cause of epileptic discharge, and the existence of abnormal perfusion loci implies possible relapse. Very little is known about perfusion abnormality repair in epilepsy. The present study selected 43 cases of idiopathic epilepsy under antiepileptic drug control for an average of 24 months. Comparisons between interictal single-photon emission CT （SPECT） images and long-term electroencephalogram （EEG） pre- and post-treatment showed that cases of normal SPECT increased by 48% （12/25） following treatment, with a total number of 15 reduced loci （,36%, 15/41 ）. Perfusion foci, Le., region of interest, were altered following treatment. These changes included： normal to abnormal in 3 cases （7%, 3/43; 2 hyperperfusion and 1 hypoperfusion）; abnormal to normal in 14 cases （32%, 14/43; 10 pre-treatment hypopeffusion and 4 hyperperfusion）; abnormal to abnormal in 7 cases （16%, 7/43; hyperperfusion to hypoperfusion in 5 cases, hypoperfusion to hyperpeffusion in 2 cases）. Long-term EEG revealed in an increase in the number of normal cases by 20 （40%, 20/39）, and there were 25 fewer cases with epileptiform discharges （66%, 25/38）. These findings demonstrate that long-term control of anti-epileptic drugs partially repaired cerebral perfusion abnormalities and reduced epileptiform discharges in idiopathic epilepsy.

Clinicopathological and prognostic role of MMP-9 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: a meta-analysis

Objective： Many studies reported that matrix metalloproteinase-9 （MMP-9） participated in the development of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma （ESCC） and resulted in poor prognosis, however, they all included few patients and had inconsistent results. So we conducted a meta-analysis to explore the correlation between overexpression of MMP-9 and the clinicopathological characteristics and overall survival （OS） of ESCC. Methods： PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, Google Scholar and other databases were searched for relevant studies. The Newcastle-Ottawa quality assessment scale was used to assess the methodological quality of included study and RevMan 5.2 software was used to conduct meta-analysis. Results： A total of 35 studies were included, and the results of meta-analysis showed that overexpression of MMP-9 was associated with grade of differentiation [well/moderate vs. poor： odds ratio （OR）： 0.39, 95% confidence interval （CI）： 0.29-0.52; P〈0.00001], lymph node metastasis （negative vs. positive： OR： 0.24, 95% CI： 0.16-0.34; P〈0.00001）, TNM stage （T1/T2 vs. T3/T4： OR： 0.28, 95% CI： 0.14-0.54; P=0.0002）, the depth of invasion （T1/T2 vs. T3/T4： OR： 0.29, 95% CI： 0.17-0.49; P〈0.00001）, and vascular invasion of ESCC （negative vs. positive： OR： 0.35, 95% CI： 0.21-0.58; P〈0.0001）, and also associated with poor overall survival ofESCC （HR： 2.17, 95% CI： 1.32-3.57; P=0.002）. Subgroup analysis showed that more than 10% of carcinoma cell staining was associated with significant increase of mortality risk （HR： 2.44, 95 % CI： 1.16-5.15; P=0.02）, and sensitive analysis suggested that MMP-9 was an independent prognostic factor in ESCC （HR： 1.49, 95% CI： 1.16-1.91; P=0.002）. Conclusions：On the basis of limited evidence, overexpression of MMP-9 may be a potential independent prognosis factor of ESCC patients in Asia, and high-quality studies assessing the prognostic significance of MMP-9 for ESCC patients are still needed.

Hypermethylation of TGF-β1 gene promoter in gastric cancer

AIM:To examine transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1)promoter methylation in gastric cancer and to determine if Helicobacter pylori(H.pylori)or interleukin(IL)-1β could induce TGF-β1 hypermethylation in vitro.METHODS:We examined the frequency and extent of TGF-β1 promoter methylation using methylationspecific PCR in the gastric tissues from 47 gastric cancer patients and 39 non-gastric cancer subjects.H.pylori infection was confirmed by a positive result from either a serological test,histological analysis or C13urea breath test.GES-1 and MKN-45 cells co-cultured with H.pylori or treated with IL-1β for 12,24 and 48 h in vitro tested the effects of H.pylori or IL-1β on TGF-1β.RESULTS:Twenty-four/forty-seven(51%)cases of gastric cancer(GC)tissues showed TGF-β1 promoter methylation,15/47(31.9%)cases of matched noncancerous gastric mucosa tissues from the GC patients,and 11/39(28%)case of the normal gastric mucosa tissues from non-GC subjects showed TGF-β1 promoter methylation(51%vs 28%,P<0.05).Significantly higher levels of methylation of TGF-β1 were found in the tumor tissues than in non-tumor tissues from GC patients(0.24±0.06 vs 0.17±0.04,P<0.05)and normal gastric tissues from non-GC subjects(0.24±0.06 vs 0.15±0.03,P<0.05).TGF-β1 methylation was found in 48.3% of H.pylori-positive gastric mucosal tissues whereas only 23.1% of H.pylori-negative gastric mucosal tissues showed TGF-β1 methylation(48.3%vs 23.1%,P<0.05).IL-1β appeared to induce a dose-dependent methylation of TGF-β1 and the strongest methylation was observed in GES-1 cells treated with 2.5 ng/mL of IL-1β for 48 h.Further studies showed that pre-treatment of GES-1 cells with 20ng/mL IL-1RA for 1 h could partially abolish the effect of IL-1β on TGF-β1 methylation.Infection of GES-1cells by H.pylori was not found to induce significant TGF-β1 promoter methylation.CONCLUSION:Our data revealed that TGF-1 promoter is methylated in GC patients.IL-1β may be an important mediator for H.pylori induced gene methylation during GC development.

Aberrant DNA-PKcs and ERGIC1 expression may be involved in initiation of gastric cancer

AIM to investigate the molecular mechanisms of gastric carcinogenesis.METHODS We used label-free quantification technology integrated with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(Lc-m S/m S) analysis to identify differentially expressed proteins in 160 specimens of normal gastric mucosa,gastric mucosa with mild dysplasia,moderate dysplasia,severe dysplasia,and early mucosal gastric cancer(Gc) collected at the Second Hospital of Lanzhou University from 2010 to 2015. Immunohistochemistry was used to verify the differentially expressed proteins detected by Lc-m S/m S.RESULTS With a threshold of a 1.2-fold change and a P-value< 0.05 between mild dysplasia,moderate dysplasia,severe dysplasia or early mucosal Gc and matched normal gastric mucosa tissues,proteomic analysis identified 365 significantly differentially expressed proteins. Er GIc1 expression decreased,while DNAPKcs expression increased gradually along with different stages of Gc initiation based on the tendency of fold change. the expression patterns of Er GIc1 and DNA-PKcs revealed by immunohistochemistry were consistent with the Lc-m S/m S results.CONCLUSION the results suggest that aberrant Er GIc1 and DNAPKcs expression may be involved in Gc initiation.

Treatment of chronic prostatitis in Chinese men

The aim of this study is to assess the status of treatment of chronic prostatitis(CP)in Chinese men.A population-based cross-sectional survey was performed,in which 15000 men aged between 15 and 60 years were randomly selected to receive a questionnaire designed to assess National Institutes of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptoms Index(NIH-CPSI)status,therapeutic efficacy and 28 other items.A total of 12743 men(84.95%)completed the questionnaire,of whom 1071(8.4%)were identified as having prostatitis-like symptoms and 517(4.5%)were diagnosed with CP according to NIH-CPSI criteria and prostatitis-like symptomatology.Of the CP patients,372(65%)underwent long-term routine treatment 12 times per year.Additionally,217(72.8%)patients received antibiotic therapy and 215(79.3%)men showed therapeutic effects.The treatment cost USD 1151(8059 yuan)per person per year on average.Most CP patients received routine treatment,in most cases with antibiotics.Treatment was costly and most CP patients were not satisfied with its effectiveness.Antibacterial treatment might have been effective primarily in patients with bacterial disease.

Silodosin is effective for treatment of LUTS in men wii BPH： a systematic review

The aim of this study was to systematically review the evidence on the efficacy and safety of silodosin treatments on lower urinary tract symptoms （LUTS） in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia （BPH） from randomized controlled trials. We searched PubMed （1966- December 2011）, Embase （1974-December 2011） and the Cochrane Library Database （2011, Issue 12）. The assessed outcome measures were the change from baseline for the International Prostate Symptom Score （IPSS）, quality of life （QoL） score, peak urine maximum flow rate （Qmax）, QoL related to urinary symptoms and adverse effects. Two authors independently assessed the study quality and extracted data. All data were analysed using RevMan 5.1. The meta-analysis included four randomized controlled trials with a total of 2504 patients. The study durations were each 12 weeks. At the follow-up end points, the pooled results showed that the change from baseline for the silodosin group was significantly higher than the placebo group for the IPSS, QoL score and Qmax（mean difference （MD）=-2.78, P〈O.O0001; MD=-O.42, P--O.O04; MD= 1.17, P〈O.OOOOl,respectively） and patients felt more satisfied with QoL related to urinary symptoms in the silodosin group than the placebo group. Ejaculation disorder was the most commonly reported adverse effect. The pooled results also showed that the silodosin group was superior to the 0.2 mg tamsulosin group with respect to the IPSS and QoL score （IPSS： MD=- 1.14, P=O.02; QoL score： MD=-0.26, P=O.02） and inferior to the 0.2 mg tamsulosin group with respect to Qmax （MD=-0.85, P=O.01）. In contrast, there was no significant difference in the incidence of ejaculation disorder and dizziness between the silodosin and 0.2 mg tamsulosin groups. The current meta-analysis suggested that silodosin is an effective therapy for LUTS in men with BPH and is not inferior to 0.2 mg tamsulosin.

Three initial diets for management of mild acute pancreatitis:A meta-analysis

AIM:To compare non-liquid and clear-liquid diets,and to assess whether the latter is the optimal treatment for mild acute pancreatitis.METHODS:The Cochrane Library,PUBMED,EMBASE,EBM review databases,Science Citation Index Expanded,and several Chinese databases were searched up to March 2011.Randomized controlled trials(RCTs) that compared non-liquid with clear-liquid diets in patients with mild acute pancreatitis were included.A meta-analysis was performed using available evidence from RCTs.RESULTS:Three RCTs of adequate quality involving a total of 362 participants were included in the final analysis.Compared to liquid diet,non-liquid diet significantly decreased the length of hospitalization [mean difference(MD):1.18,95% CI:0.82-1.55;P﹤0.00001] and total length of hospitalization(MD:1.31,95% CI:0.45-2.17;P = 0.003).The subgroup analysis showed solid diet was more favorable than clear liquid diet in the length of hospitalization,with a pooled MD being-1.05(95% CI:-1.43 to-0.66;P﹤0.00001).However,compared with clear liquid diet,both soft and solid diets did not show any significant differences for recurrence of pain after re-feeding,either alone [relative risk(RR):0.95;95% CI:0.51-1.87;P = 0.88] and(RR:1.22;95% CI:0.69-2.16;P = 0.49),respectively,or analyzed together as non-liquid diet(RR:0.80;95% CI:0.47-1.36;P = 0.41).CONCLUSION:The non-liquid soft or solid diet did not increase pain recurrence after re-feeding,compared with the clear-liquid diet.The non-liquid diet reduced hospitalization.

Clinical characteristics and current management of hepatitis B and C in China

AIM: To describe a population of outpatients in China infected by hepatitis B virus (HBV) and/or hepatitis C virus (HCV), and assess their current management status. METHODS: A multicenter, cross-sectional study of HBV- and/or HCV-infected patients was conducted from August to November, 2011 in western China. Patients >= 18 years of age with HBV and/or HCV infections who visited outpatient departments at 10 hospitals were evaluated, whether treated or not. Data were collected on the day of visit from medical records and patient interviews. RESULTS: A total 4010 outpatients were analyzed, including 2562 HBV- infected and 1406 HCV-infected and 42 HBV/HCV co-infected patients. The median duration of documented infection was 7.5 years in HBV- infected and 1.8 years in HCV-infected patients. Cirrhosis was the most frequent hepatic complication (12.2%), appearing in one-third of patients within 3 years prior to or at diagnosis. The HCV genotype was determined in only 10% of HCV-infected patients. Biopsy data were only available for 54 patients (1.3%). Antiviral medications had been received by 58.2% of patients with HBV infection and 66.6% with HCV infection. Nucleos(t) ide analogs were the major antiviral medications prescribed for HBV- infected patients (most commonly adefovir dipivoxil and lamivudine). Ribavirin + pegylated interferon was prescribed for two-thirds of HCV-infected patients. In the previous 12 mo, around one-fifth patients had been hospitalized due to HBV or HCV infection. CONCLUSION: This observational, real-life study has identified some gaps between clinical practice and guideline recommendations in China. To achieve better health outcomes, several improvements, such as disease monitoring and optimizing antiviral regimens, should be made to improve disease management. (C) 2014 Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.

Autophagy plays a protective role in advanced glycation end products-induced apoptosis of chondrocytes via regulation of tumor necrosis factor-α,nuclear factor-κ B and reactive oxygen species

Objective: To study the adverse effects of advanced glycation end products(AGEs) on chondrocytes and the role of autophagy in this process. Methods: Chondrocytes were harvested from the human articular cartilage tissues in surgery. AGEs were administered during chondrocytes culture. The rapamycin was used to induce autophagy. The cell viability was determined by 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol2-yl]-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide(MTT) assay.The expression of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) and nuclear factor-κ B(NF-κ B) was detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. The reactive oxygen species(ROS) production and apoptosis of the chondrocytes were determined by fluorescent probe and flow cytometer, respectively. Results: The chondrocytes viability was significantly reduced after 12 h incubation with AGEs(P<0.01)). In contrast, rapamycin pretreatment increased the chondrocytes viability through autophagy. AGEs increased TNF-α and NF-κ B mRNA expression of chondrocytes and autophagy receded or proceeded the change. AGEs increased intracellular ROS accumulation and autophagy reversed the change. AGEs accelerated chondrocytes apoptosis and autophagy suspended apoptosis. Conclusions: Accumulation of AGEs may have an adverse role for chondrocytes by increasing TNF-α and NF-κB expression, ROS accumulation and apoptosis; meanwhile, autophagy ameliorates the AGEsinduced adverse effects.

Lipofuscin-and Melanin-related Fundus Autofluorescence in Patients with Submacular Idiopathic Choroidal Neovascularization

Purpose:.To compare melanin-related near-infrared fundus autofluorescence (NIA; excitation 787 nm, emission> 800 nm) with lipofuscin-related fundus autofluorescence (FAF; excitation 488 nm, emission > 500 nm) in patients with idiopathic choroidal neovascularization (ICNV). Methods: FAF, NIA, fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) and indocyanine green angiography.(ICGA).were obtained using a confocal scanning laser Ophthalmoscope HRA2 (Heidelberg Retina Angiograph 2).in 18 eyes of 18 patients with ICNV. Results:.Eighteen eyes had classic CNV, and autofluorescence imaging showed hypoautofluorescence at the site of CNV..A well-defined hyperautofluorescent ring was detected surrounding the CNV in all 18 eyes with NIA imaging. In our sample,.the FAF patterns around the CNV were classified as normal (n=1,.5.56%), well-defined hyperautofluorescent ring (n=7,.38.89%), or ill-defined hyperautofluorescent ring (n=10, 55.56%). Conclusion:.The patterns of FAF and NIA indicated different involvement of lipofuscin and melanin in the pathophysiological process of ICNV. Compared to FAF imaging, NIA imaging appears to be a superior noninvasive method for in vivo visualization of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) abnormalities in ICNV patients.

Knockdown of Microtubule Associated Serine/threonine Kinase Like Expression Inhibits Gastric Cancer Cell Growth and Induces Apoptosis by Activation of ERK1/2 and Inactivation of NF-κB Signaling

Microtubule-associated serine/threonine kinase(MASTL)functions to regulate chromosome condensation and mitotic progression.Therefore,aberrant MASTL expression is commonly implicated in various human cancers.This study analyzed MASTL expression in gastric cancer vs.adjacent normal tissue for elucidating the association with clinicopathological data from patients.This work was then extended to investigate the effects of MASTL knockdown on tumor cells in vitro.The level of MASTL expression in gastric cancer tissue was assessed from the UALCAN,GEPIA,and Oncomine online databases.Lentivirus carrying MASTL or negative control shRNA was infected into gastric cancer cells.RT-qPCR,Western blotting,cell viability,cell counting,flow cytometric apoptosis and cell cycle,and colony formation assays were performed.MASTL was upregulated in gastric cancer tissue compared to the adjacent normal tissue,and the MASTL expression was associated with advanced tumor stage,Helicobacter pylori infection and histological subtypes.On the other hand,knockdown of MASTL expression significantly reduced tumor cell viability and proliferation,and arrested cell cycle at G2/M stage but promoted tumor cells to undergo apoptosis.At protein level,knockdown of MASTL expression enhanced levels of cleaved PARP1,cleaved caspase-3,Bax and p-ERK1/2 expression,but downregulated expression levels of BCL-2 and p-NF-κB-p65 protein in AGS and MGC-803 cells.MASTL overexpression in gastric cancer tissue may be associated with gastric cancer development and progression,whereas knockdown of MASTL expression reduces tumor cell proliferation and induces apoptosis.Further study will evaluate MASTL as a potential target of gastric cancer therapeutic strategy.

Y-shaped shunt for the treatment of Dandy-Walker malformation combined with giant arachnoid cysts:A case report

BACKGROUND Dandy-Walker malformation(DWM)was first reported in 1914.In this case report,a pediatric case was complicated with giant and isolated arachnoid cysts in the right cerebellar hemisphere along with the typical DWM.CASE SUMMARY The patient was at 20 mo old boy,with the complaint of staggering for more than 2 mo.He was admitted to the hospital due to high intracranial pressure and staggering.At admission,the patient had typical manifestations of high intracranial pressure,including vomiting,poor appetite and feeding difficulty.Physical examination revealed increased head circumference,closed anterior fontanelle,unstable standing,staggering,leaning right while walking and ataxia.After admission,he was diagnosed with DWM accompanied by giant isolated arachnoid cysts in the posterior fossa.He underwent Y-shaped three-way valve repair for treating differential pressure between the supratentorial hydrocephalus and the subtentorial arachnoid cysts at once.The child recovered well after the surgery.CONCLUSION In this case,supratentorial and subtentorial shunts were placed,which solved the problem of differential pressure between the supratentorial and subtentorial parts simultaneously.This provides useful information regarding treatment exploration in this rare disease.

Perineural dexamethasone does not enhance the analgesic efficacy of ultrasound-guided subcostal transversus abdominis plane block during laparoscopic cholecystectomy

BACKGROUND: Ultrasound-guided transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block is an adjunct therapy to provide effective postoperative analgesia in abdominal surgical procedures. Dexamethasone is a supplement agent that can improve the efifcacy of local anesthesia. However, information about its additive effect is limited. This study aimed to compare the an-algesic efifciency using ultrasound-guided TAP block with and without perineural dexamethasone for patients who under-went laparoscopic cholecystectomy. METHODS: Sixty patients who underwent laparoscopic cho-lecystectomy were randomly divided into three groups: group I, controls; group II, TAP; and group III, TAP+perineural dexamethasone supplement. The requirement of additional analgesia and the ifrst-time request of rescue-analgesia were recorded after operation and the numerical rating scale was evaluated at speciifc intervals. RESULTS: Compared to group I, the ifrst-time requirement of rescue-analgesia in groups II and III was signiifcantly delayed (403.0±230.9, 436.0±225.3 vs 152.3±124.7,P<0.01). Compared with those in group I, patients in groups II and III were associ-ated with lower numerical rating scale pain scores (P<0.01) and less postoperative analgesic consumption (P<0.01). There&nbsp;was no signiifcant difference in the variables mentioned above between groups II and III (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Perineural dexamethasone has no additive/synergistic effect with subcostal TAP block on analgesic efif-cacy for the patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy.