circSNTB2 and CUL4A Induces Dysfunction of Nucleus Pulposus Cells by Competitively Binding miR-665

Circular RNA (circRNA) plays important roles in lumbar degenerative diseases. This study aimed to investigate the role of circSNTB2 in regulating the development of lumbar disc herniation (LDH) in vitro and in vivo. The abnormally expressed circSNTB2 in intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) through bioinformatics analysis was identified, and verified in nucleus pulposus (NP) tissues of patients with LDH. NP cells were treated with TNF-α to mimic the LDH microenvironment. RT-qPCR was applied to determine levels of mRNA and microRNA (miRNA) in clinical samples and cells. We performed CCK-8, EdU, TUNEL and flow cytometric apoptosis assays to evaluate the proliferation and apoptosis of NP cells. The predicted the miRNAs and downstream target genes were verified with the help of luciferase reporter gene and RNA pull-down experiments. Finally, we established an LDH rat model to further verify the role of circSNTB2 in vivo. circSNTB2 was significantly up-regulated in the NP tissues of LDH group and TNF-α -treated NP cells. miR-665 binds to circSNTB2 and cullin 4A (CUL4A) is the downstream target gene of miR-665. Knockdown of circSNTB2 promoted NP cells proliferation and inhibited apoptosis, which was reversed by down-regulation of miR-665. In addition, up-regulated CUL4A reversed the effects of over-expressed miR-665 on proliferation and apoptosis of NP cells. Meanwhile, results of in vivo experiments demonstrated that knocking down circSNTB2 alleviated LDH-induced thermo-mechanical pain and NP injury. In summary, circSNTB2 regulates the proliferation and apoptosis of NP by mediating miR-665 regulation of CUL4A, which provides a reliable idea for targeted therapy of LDH.

Screening and bioinformatics analysis of senile osteoporosis genes based on GEO database

OBJECTIVE

Despite improvements in research on osteoporosis in the elderly, the specific mechanism remains unknown. In order to develop better treatment regimens with better efficacy and fewer adverse reactions (ARs), it is vital to unravel the pathogenesis of osteoporosis in the elderly. The GEO chip was used to screen differential genes in senile osteoporosis and analyze their interaction mechanisms in order to obtain potential therapeutic pathways and targets.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

GSE35956 was downloaded from GEO database and used as the research object for KEGG pathway enrichment analysis, GO enrichment analysis and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis, respectively, to explore the related mechanisms of the occurrence and development of osteoporosis in the elderly.

RESULTS

There were 156 differentially expressed genes in the elderly (72 years old) and middle-aged (42 years old) diagnosed with osteoporosis, of which 6 were up-regulated and 150 were down-regulated. An analysis of gene enrichment using GO (gene body) revealed that differentially expressed genes (DEG) were mainly distributed in extracellular matrix (ECM) and other cell structures. Its functions include ossification, parathyroid hormone metabolism, multicellular biological signaling pathway, vitamin catabolism, interleukisn-5 metabolism, transmembrane transporter activity, receptor signaling pathway, calcium metabolism and other molecular functions. According to the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), an online resource, signaling pathways associated with age-related osteoporosis (OP) are significantly enriched. The DEG enrichment pathways include Wnt, ECM-receptor interaction, cGMP-PKG, GAG degradation, and calcium signaling. A protein and protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed for 14 key genes, including CD44, GRIA1, KNG1 and IL7R.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings of this study indicate that CD44, GRIA1, KNG1, IL7R, and other differential genes affect the Wnt signaling pathway in the elderly, which can provide new targets for the follow-up basic research and treatment of osteoporosis in the elderly.

A bibliometric and visualization study of Meniere's disease: Current status and global hotspots and emerging trends

BACKGROUND

Meniere's disease (MD) is a clinical condition characterized by endolymphatic hydrops. Persistent symptoms negatively affect patients mood, and the underlying etiology remains unclear. It is necessary to comprehensively understand the relevant publications, review the history and current status of research, and analyze hotspots and frontiers of research on MD.

METHODS

We retrieved literature on Meniere's disease from 2003 to 2022 from the Web of Science database and extracted the data. Data visualization and analysis was conducted using Cite Space, VOS viewer, an online web tool, and Microsoft Office Power Point 2019.

RESULTS

In total, 2847 publications were analyzed. The number of annual publications was relatively stable, with an accelerated upward trend over the past 5 years. The country with the most publications was USA (751, 26.38%), while the University of Munich contributed more publications than any other institution (117, 4.11%). The article titled "Diagnostic criteria for Meniere's disease" by Lopez-Escamez J et al in 2015 was the most cited and co-cited publication, and also had the top co-cited references with the strongest citation bursts. Naganawa S was the author with the most publications (85, 2.99%). The top 3 journals and co-cited journals were Otology Neurotology, Acta Oto Laryngologica, and Laryngoscope. Recently, the key theme words were "sensorineural hearing loss," "therapy," "intratympanic injection method," "vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials," "vestibular migraine," "magnetic resonance imaging," and "meniere's disease."

CONCLUSIONS

The US has the largest number of publications and research institutions, many European countries have high-quality journals, and Japan has the highest number of scholars. The international opinion on Meniere's disease is relatively uniform. The stepped-therapy for MD is scientific and clear. Intratympanic injection of steroids and intratympanic injection of gentamicin are commonly used, but steroids are considered safer. Saccular dysfunction may be more common in patients with MD than in those with utricular dysfunctions. It is worth paying attention to study the relationship between MD and vestibular migraine through headache. Progress in magnetic resonance imaging technology is still required for the imaging diagnosis of MD.

Increased Sparc release from subchondral osteoblasts promotes articular chondrocyte degeneration under estrogen withdrawal

OBJECTIVE

The incidence of osteoarthritis (OA) in menopausal women is significantly higher than in same-aged men. Investigating the role of subchondral osteoblasts in estrogen deficiency-induced OA may help elucidate the pathological mechanism, providing new insights for the diagnosis and treatment of menopausal OA.

METHODS

A classical ovariectomy-induced OA (OVX-OA) rat model was utilized to isolate primary articular chondrocytes and subchondral osteoblasts, which were identified and then cocultured in Transwell. The expression of chondrocyte anabolic and catabolic indicators was evaluated. The differentially expressed proteins in the conditioned medium (CM) of osteoblasts were identified by Liquid Chromatograph-Mass Spectrometer (LC-MS/MS). Normal chondrocytes were treated with osteoblast CM, and then RNA sequencing was performed on the treated chondrocytes. KEGG was used to identify significant enrichment of signaling pathways, and Simple Western was used to verify the expression of related proteins in the signaling pathways.

RESULTS

Coculture of OVX-OA subchondral osteoblasts with chondrocytes significantly downregulated the expression of the anabolic indicators and upregulated the expression of the catabolic indicators in chondrocytes. 1,601 proteins were identified in both normal and OVX osteoblast culture supernatants. Protein-protein interaction network analysis revealed that Sparc was one of the hub proteins. The AMPK/Foxo3a signaling pathway of chondrocytes was downregulated by OVX-OA osteoblasts CM. AICAR, the AMPK agonist, partially reversed the catabolic effect of OVX-OA osteoblasts on chondrocytes.

CONCLUSIONS

Sparc secreted by OVX-OA subchondral osteoblasts can downregulate the AMPK/Foxo3a signaling pathway of chondrocytes, thereby promoting chondrocyte degeneration.

Inhibitors and facilitators to the utilization of postpartum care in China: an integrative review

BACKGROUND

Postpartum care is an expanding concept in China, and it is gaining vast attention in Chinese society. However, due to some Chinese traditions and rituals during the postpartum period, the utilization of modern postpartum care should be improved on both individual and community levels from different aspects. This integrative review outlined the inhibitors and facilitators of postpartum care utilization in China.

METHODS

Writing an integrative review, a literature search was conducted in Chinese and English databases including Wan Fang, China National Knowledge infrastructure, Medline, Web of Science, and Embase till 31 October 2021 to capture citations covering 'postpartum care', 'utilization' and 'China'. Titles and abstracts were screened independently by three reviewers. Included studies were critically appraised using tools and checklists independently for both qualitative and quantitative studies by two different reviewers who also performed thematic synthesis.

RESULTS

Of the 4359 citations screened, 41 studies (450,788 patients) were selected. Categorization of the factors influencing postpartum care utilization revealed five components: sociocultural (25 studies); educational (24 studies); organizational (12 studies); economic (19 studies); and physical (6 studies). Factors influencing postpartum care utilization both on individual and community levels were identified. They included facilitated factors such as higher mother's and partner's education level, higher socioeconomic status, lower parity, better insurance coverage, urban geographical location, Han ethnicity, and better transportation. Inhibitory factors such as under-managed policy regulation, migrants without domicile, and lower quality of care were also reported.

CONCLUSION

This review has identified the inhibitors and facilitators of postpartum care utilization in China. Five major aspects including sociocultural, educational, organizational, economic, and physical components have been analysed. Results can be used to improve the utilization of modern postpartum care on both individual and community levels in Chinese society.

Simplicial epidemic model with birth and death

In this paper, we propose a simplicial susceptible-infected-susceptible (SIS) epidemic model with birth and death to describe epidemic spreading based on group interactions, accompanying with birth and death. The site-based evolutions are formulated by the quenched mean-field probability equations for each site, which is a high-dimensional differential system. To facilitate a theoretical analysis of the influence of system parameters on dynamics, we adopt the mean-field method for our model to reduce the dimension. As a consequence, it suggests that birth and death rates influence the existence and stability of equilibria, as well as the appearance of a bistable state (the coexistence of the stable disease-free and endemic states), which is then confirmed by extensive simulations on empirical and synthetic networks. Furthermore, we find that another type of the bistable state in which a stable periodic outbreak state coexists with a steady disease-free state also emerges when birth and death rates and other parameters satisfy the certain conditions. Finally, we illustrate how the birth and death rates shift the density of infected nodes in the stationary state and the outbreak threshold, which is also verified by sensitivity analysis for the proposed model.

The effect of BMP2/Smads pathway mediating platelet-rich fibrin on rat bone mesenchymal stem cells

OBJECTIVE

We explored the influences on platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) to rat Bone Mesenchymal Stem Cells (BMSCs), as well as the role of bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2)/maternal signal protein homolog (Smads) pathway.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The proposed research is approved by the ethics board of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University. The BMSCs were isolated and purified. The BMSCs were assigned to a control group arbitrarily, PRF group, BMP activator group and BMP inhibitor group (hereinafter referred to as activator group and inhibitor group). Each group of BMSCs in the logarithmic growth phase was detected for the alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity since 3 days and 14 days of culture; CCK-8 assay was conducted for detection of the proliferation of BMSCs; Real time PCR was conducted for detection of the osteogenic differentiation marker collagen I (COL-I), BMP2, Runt-related transcription factor 2(RUNX2), osteocalcin (OCN) mRNA relative expression levels; Western-Blot detection of BMP2, OCN, P-SMAD1/5/8, relative expression level of RUNX2 protein.

RESULTS

In contrast to the control group, BMSCs' the ALP activity of the PRF group, activator group, as well as inhibitor group increased for 3 days and 14 days, and the activator group>PRF group>inhibitor group (p≤0.05). ALP activity in each group was elevated with the increase in culture time, the ALP activity of the control group, PRF group, activator group and inhibitor group increased (p≤0.05). In comparison to the control group, the relevant expression levels of COL-I, BMP-2, RUNX2 and OCN in the PRF group, activator group, and inhibitor group increased, and the activator group>PRF group>inhibitor group (p≤0.05). The relative expression levels of BMP2, OCN, p-SMAD1/5/8 and RUNX2 protein in each group were statistically different, the activator group>PRF group>control group>inhibitor group (p≤0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

PRF can promote the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs by activating the BMP2/Smads signaling pathway.

Simplicial SIRS epidemic models with nonlinear incidence rates

Mathematical epidemiology that describes the complex dynamics on social networks has become increasingly popular. However, a few methods have tackled the problem of coupling network topology with complex incidence mechanisms. Here, we propose a simplicial susceptible-infected-recovered-susceptible (SIRS) model to investigate the epidemic spreading via combining the network higher-order structure with a nonlinear incidence rate. A network-based social system is reshaped to a simplicial complex, in which the spreading or infection occurs with nonlinear reinforcement characterized by the simplex dimensions. Compared with the previous simplicial susceptible-infected-susceptible (SIS) models, the proposed SIRS model can not only capture the discontinuous transition and the bistability of a complex system but also capture the periodic phenomenon of epidemic outbreaks. More significantly, the two thresholds associated with the bistable region and the critical value of the reinforcement factor are derived. We further analyze the stability of equilibrium points of the proposed model and obtain the condition of existence of the bistable states and limit cycles. This work expands the simplicial SIS models to SIRS models and sheds light on a novel perspective of combining the higher-order structure of complex systems with nonlinear incidence rates.

Zona incerta projection neurons and GABAergic and GLP-1 mechanisms in the nucleus accumbens are involved in the control of gastric function and food intake

OBJECTIVE

Our aim was to explore the effect of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) signaling in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) on promoting gastric function and food intake through glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1)-sensitive gastric distension (GD) neurons under the regulatory control of the zona incerta (ZI).

METHODS

GABA neuronal projections were traced using retrograde tracing following fluorescence immunohistochemistry. An extracellular electrophysiological recording method was used to observe the firing of neurons in the NAc. HPLC was used to quantify the GABA and glutamate levels in the NAc after electrical stimulation of the ZI. Gastric functions including gastric motility and secretion, as well as food intake, were measured after the administration of different concentrations of GABA in the NAc or electrical stimulation of the ZI.

RESULTS

Some of the GABA-positive neurons arising from the ZI projected to the NAc. Some GABA-A receptor (GABA-AR)-immunoreactive neurons in the NAc were also positive for GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R) immunoreactivity. The firing of most GLP-1-sensitive GD neurons was decreased by GABA infusion in the NAc. Intra-NAc GABA administration also promoted gastric function and food intake. The responses induced by GABA were partially blocked by the GABA-AR antagonist bicuculline (BIC) and weakened by the GLP-1R antagonist exendin 9-39 (Ex9). Electrical stimulation of the ZI changed the firing patterns of most GLP-1-sensitive GD neurons in the NAc and promoted gastric function and food intake. Furthermore, these excitatory effects induced by electrical stimulation of the ZI were weakened by preadministration of BIC in the NAc.

CONCLUSION

Retrograde tracing and immunohistochemical staining showed a GABAergic pathway from the ZI to the NAc. GABAergic and GLP-1 mechanisms in the NAc are involved in the control of gastric function and food intake. In addition, the interaction (direct or indirect) between the ZI and these NAc mechanisms is involved in the control of gastric function and food intake.

Superconductivity under pressure in the Dirac semimetal PdTe2

The Dirac semimetal PdTe₂ was recently reported to be a type-I superconductor (T _c   =  1.64 K, [Formula: see text] mT) with unusual superconductivity of the surface sheath. We here report a high-pressure study, [Formula: see text] GPa, of the superconducting phase diagram extracted from ac-susceptibility and transport measurements on single crystalline samples. T _c (p ) shows a pronounced non-monotonous variation with a maximum T _c   =  1.91 K around 0.91 GPa, followed by a gradual decrease to 1.27 K at 2.5 GPa. Surface superconductivity is robust under pressure as demonstrated by the large superconducting screening signal that persists for applied dc-fields [Formula: see text]. Surprisingly, for [Formula: see text] GPa the superconducting transition temperature at the surface [Formula: see text] is larger than T _c of the bulk. Therefore surface superconductivity may possibly have a non-trivial topological nature. We compare the measured pressure variation of T _c with recent results from band structure calculations and discuss the importance of a Van Hove singularity.

Mammalian Target of Rapamycin Complex 1 Signaling Is Required for the Dedifferentiation From Biliary Cell to Bipotential Progenitor Cell in Zebrafish Liver Regeneration

The liver has a high regenerative capacity. Upon two-thirds partial hepatectomy, the hepatocytes proliferate and contribute to liver regeneration. After severe liver injury, when the proliferation of residual hepatocytes is blocked, the biliary epithelial cells (BECs) lose their morphology and express hepatoblast and endoderm markers, dedifferentiate into bipotential progenitor cells (BP-PCs), then proliferate and redifferentiate into mature hepatocytes. Little is known about the mechanisms involved in the formation of BP-PCs after extreme liver injury. Using a zebrafish liver extreme injury model, we found that mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) signaling regulated dedifferentiation of BECs and proliferation of BP-PCs. mTORC1 signaling was up-regulated in BECs during extreme hepatocyte ablation and continuously expressed in later liver regeneration. Inhibition of mTORC1 by early chemical treatment before hepatocyte ablation blocked the dedifferentiation from BECs into BP-PCs. Late mTORC1 inhibition after liver injury reduced the proliferation of BP-PC-derived hepatocytes and BECs but did not affect BP-PC redifferentiation. mTOR and raptor mutants exhibited defects in BEC transdifferentiation including dedifferentiation, BP-PC proliferation, and redifferentiation, similar to the chemical inhibition. Conclusion: mTORC1 signaling governs BEC-driven liver regeneration by regulating the dedifferentiation of BECs and the proliferation of BP-PC-derived hepatocytes and BECs.

Cervical kyphosis in asymptomatic populations: incidence, risk factors, and its relationship with health-related quality of life

Background

Cervical kyphosis has been pointed out in asymptomatic populations. The purposes of this study were (1) to investigate the incidence of cervical kyphosis in asymptomatic populations, (2) to identify risk factors related to cervical kyphosis, and (3) to assess the relationship between cervical kyphosis and health-related quality of life (HRQOL).

Methods

A cohort of 235 asymptomatic volunteers’ records was retrospectively analyzed. Radiographic parameters of the coronal and sagittal planes were measured in the full-length spine x-ray. All patients were classified into two groups based on the cervical lordosis angle: cervical lordosis (CL) and cervical kyphosis (CK). HRQOL was evaluated by EQ-5D and SF-36 (PCS and MCS) questionnaires.

Results

CK was observed in 90 of 235 (38.3%) participants. There was a significant difference with regard to age between volunteers with CK and CL (32.23 ± 8.12 vs. 42.12 ± 6.14, p < 0.05). Several parameters had a significant relationship with CK, including TK, T1 slope, TIA, SVA, and CT. Logistic regression analysis identified age, TK, T1 slope, and SVA as independent risk factors of CK. In addition, there was a negative correlation between CK and the parameters of HRQOL (EQ-5D, − 0.63; PCS, − 0.68; MCS, − 0.59).

Conclusions

The incidence of CK in normal populations is 38.3%. Some spinal parameters are related to CK. CK is associated with the HRQOL.

[Horizontal semicircular canals light cupulopathy: 2 cases report]

SummaryAnalyze 2 cases of horizontal semicircular canals light cupulopathy patient history, clinical manifestations, vestibular function and hearing test results, summarize the clinical features of the disease. All of the 2 patients showed a typicaln light cupulopathy nystagmus. That is, the nystagmus of the Roll-Test test is sustained to the ground, and there is no latency and attenuation with null plane. When the patient's nystagmus is characterized by direction changing positional nystagmus and head deflection nystagmus disappearance（null plane）, the possibility of horizontal semicircular canals light cupulopathy is to be thought of. In this paper, 2 cases of horizontal semicircular canals light cupulopathy received in our hospital are reported as follows.

Regulation of stress-induced gastric ulcers via central oxytocin and a potential mechanism through the VTA-NAc dopamine pathway

BACKGROUND

Oxytocin (OT) plays an important role in regulating gastric function. How OT regulates stress-induced gastric ulcers is not understood. We investigated OT's protective role in stress-induced gastric ulcers, with a focus on OT's interaction with the ventral tegmental area (VTA) to nucleus accumbens (NAc) dopamine pathway.

METHODS

Drugs administration into the rats brain nuclei by brain stereotaxic apparatus, to examine related changes in gastric ulcer index, pH of gastric content, and mucus secretion, and to determine complex interactions between OT and DA systems in the regulation of stress and gastric functions.

KEY RESULTS

Neurons in the VTA were co-immunoreactive for the OT receptor (OTR) and DA. In a rat model of stress-induced ulcer, water-immersion restricted stress, direct administration of OT into the VTA significantly reduced gastric ulcer index and increased the pH of gastric content and mucus secretion. OT's effects were eliminated by pretreatment with the OTR antagonist atosiban in the VTA and weakened with pretreatment of the DA D2 receptor (DA D2R) antagonist raclopride in the NAc. In OTR gene knockout (Oxtr^-/- ) mice, OT's protective effect was lost. OT administered to the VTA of dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus (DMV)-lesioned rats had minimal protective effects on gastric mucosa.

CONCLUSIONS AND INFERENCES

This study provides important data necessary for a deeper understanding of the complex interactions between OT and DA systems in the regulation of stress and gastric functions. It provides relevant mechanistic clues into OT's role as a protective factor against stress-induced changes to gastric function.

[Gene diagnosis and treatment of hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia with epistaxis as its main symptom]

Objective:The aim of this study is to investigate the gene diagnosis and the treatment of hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) with epistaxis as the main symptom, and to analyze the mutation of ACVRL1 gene in the family. Method:Detailed pedigree investigation was carried out on the proband.Sixtynine genes related to coagulation disorder were sequenced and analyzed by high throughput sequencing for the father and son of the proband. Result:Four generations of the family consisted of 30 probands, including 11 patients. A pathogenic mutation ACVRL1_ex9 c.1313T > C (p.M438T) was detected in both patient and his father. Conclusion:Recurrent epistaxis is the main manifestation of hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia in this family. The mutation of ACVRL1 gene is the pathogenic gene of this family, which can be treated by surgery and medicine.

[Effect of modified body position on cVEMP in normal young people]

Objective: To observe the effect of modified body position on cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potential(cVEMP) in normal young people. Method: Thirty normal young people were selected as subjects. CVEMP test was performed by supine head position and sitting submandibular lower body position respectively. The cVEMP examination results were observed and compared. Result: The elicitation rate of the two kinds of position of cVEMP were 100%. There was no significant difference in P1 latency, N2 latency, amplitude and asymmetry ratio. Different body position comfort VAS score, submandibular pressure of sitting position was better than supine head up position(P<0.05). Conclusion: Submandibular pressure of sitting position has no effect on the results of cVEMP examination, and the subjects are more comfortable, and can be used for old age and inability to cooperate with supine head up position.

Identification of hub genes associated with postmenopausal osteoporosis by Gibbs sampling method

Underlying pivotal pathways were identified to reveal potential key genes correlated with postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMOP). The pathways were enriched by Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) with genes intersection greater than 5 based on gene expression profile data, and the acquired pathways were then transformed to Markov chain (MC). Gibbs sampling was conducted to obtain a new MC. Moreover, the average probabilities of each pathway in normal and PMOP were computed via an MC Monte Carlo (MCMC) algorithm, and differential pathways were identified based on probabilities more than 0.7. In addition, frequencies of appearance of pathway genes were counted via MCMC and the hub genes were achieved with the probabilities of gene expression efficiencies in two states. Judging by the gene intersection more than 5, overall 280 pathways were determined. After Gibbs sampling, 2 differential pathways were obtained on the basis of probabilities more than 0.7. Moreover, the hub genes comprising TNNC1, MYL2, and TTN were achieved according to probabilities more than 0.7. The identified pathways and the three hub genes probably are useful for developing approaches for the diagnosis and treatment of PMOP in future preclinical and clinical applications.

Penetration depth study of the type-I superconductor PdTe2

Superconductivity in the topological non-trivial Dirac semimetal PdTe₂ was recently shown to be type-I. We hereby report measurements of the relative magnetic penetration depth, [Formula: see text], on several single crystals using a high precision tunnel diode oscillator technique. The temperature variation [Formula: see text] follows an exponential function for [Formula: see text], consistent with a fully-gapped superconducting state and weak or moderately coupling superconductivity. By fitting the data we extract a [Formula: see text]-value of  ∼500 nm. The normalized superfluid density is in good agreement with the computed curve for a type-I superconductor with nonlocal electrodynamics. Small steps are observed in [Formula: see text], which possibly relates to a locally lower [Formula: see text] due to defects in the single crystalline sample.

[Rasmussen syndrome: a clinicopathologic study of four cases]

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathologic features of Rasmussen syndrome (RS) and to raise awareness of this rare disease. Methods: Clinicopathologic data of 4 cases of RS were retrospectively analyzed at Beijing Haidian Hospital from 2008 to 2016. Results: The clinical manifestations included epilepsia partialis continua and progressive neurologic deficits in all patients.MRI demonstrated unihemispheric focal cortical atrophy in all cases. The histopathologic changes included variable degrees of lymphocytic infiltrate within the cortex, subarachnoid space and perivascular cuffing.Microglial nodules and neuronophagia were seen. Mild to severe neuronal loss was noted with variable degrees of reactive gliosis. Spongy edema and cavitation were observed in focal cortex. Inflammation involving hippocampus was seen in one case. Three cases were accompanied by focal cortical dysplasia (FCD) Ⅲd. Immunohistochemical staining showed that the infiltrative lymphocytes were positive for CD3, CD8, granzyme B and TIA1 and the proliferating microglial cells were positive for CD68. NeuN positive neurons decreased significantly and reactive astrocytes were GFAP positive. Conclusions: Pathologic changes of RS are similar to viral encephalitis and the inflammation is progressive and multifocal involving the hemisphere. The diagnosis of RS relies on pathologic features combined with clinical findings and neuroradiological examinations.

Knockdown of UBE2T Inhibits Osteosarcoma Cell Proliferation, Migration, and Invasion by Suppressing the PI3K/Akt Signaling Pathway

Ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2T (UBE2T), a member of the E2 family, was found to be overexpressed in a great many cancers such as bladder cancer, lung cancer, and prostate cancer. However, there have been no reports on the role of UBE2T in osteosarcoma. In this study, we tried to make the effects of UBE2T on osteosarcoma clear. The study results showed that UBE2T was overexpressed in osteosarcoma tissues and cell lines. Moreover, UBE2T knockdown inhibited osteosarcoma cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. We also observed that UBE2T downregulation could suppress the activity of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Therefore, we concluded that UBE2T exerted its inhibitory effects on osteosarcoma cells via suppressing the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. These findings indicated that UBE2T may be a potential therapeutic target for osteosarcoma treatment.

[Reported of 2 cases relapsing polychondritis]

Clinical data of two cases of relapsing polychondritis were reported and the relative literatures were reviewed. The two patients diagnosed relapsing polychondritis after clinical and laboratory examinations.The first case was mild , no larynx and trachea involvement, and her condition improved and controlled after glucocorticoid treatment;The second case which involved larynx and trachea caused breathing difficulty. Two years later he died of lung infection and respiratory failure despite a variety of treatment methods. Relapsing polychondritis is very easily misdiagnosed, early diagnosis and treatment can slow the progression of the disease, for patients with violations of the larynx and trachea should pay close attention to disease progression, tracheotomy or place endotracheal memory alloy stent when necessary.

Vitamin D prevents articular cartilage erosion by regulating collagen II turnover through TGF-β1 in ovariectomized rats

OBJECTIVE

To explore the effect of vitamin D on turnover of articular cartilage with ovariectomy (OVX) induced OA, and to investigate transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) as a possible underlying mechanism mediated by 1α,25(OH)2D3.

DESIGN

Sixty-six rats were randomly allocated into seven groups: sham plus control diet (SHAM+CTL), OVX+CTL diet, sham plus vitamin D-deficient (VDD) diet, OVX+VDD diet, and three groups of ovariectomized rats treated with different doses of 1α,25(OH)2D3. The cartilage erosion and the levels of serum 17β-estradiol, 1α,25(OH)2D3 and C-telopeptide of type II collagen (CTX-II) were measured. TGF-β1, type II Collagen (CII), matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)-9,-13 in articular cartilage were assessed by immunohistochemistry. TGF-β1 and CTX-II expression were measured in articular cartilage chondrocytes treated with/without tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), 1α,25(OH)2D3, and TGF-β receptor inhibitor (SB505124) in vitro.

RESULTS

Cartilage erosion due to OVX was significantly reduced in a dose-dependent manner by 1α,25(OH)2D3 supplementation, and exacerbated by VDD. The expressions of TGF-β1 and CII in articular cartilage were suppressed by OVX and VDD, and rescued by 1α,25(OH)2D3 supplementation. The expression of MMP-9,-13 in articular cartilage increased with OVX and VDD, and decreased with 1α,25(OH)2D3 supplementation. In vitro experiments showed that 1α,25(OH)2D3 increased the TGF-β1 expression of TNF-α stimulated chondrocytes in a dose-dependent manner. 1α,25(OH)2D3 significantly counteracted the increased CTX-II release due to TNF-α stimulation, and this effect was significantly suppressed by SB505124.

CONCLUSION

VDD aggravated cartilage erosion, and 1α,25(OH)2D3 supplementation showed protective effects in OVX-induced OA partly through the TGF-β1 pathway.

[Research on Application of Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometry in the Diagnosis of Lymph Node Metastasis in Gastric Cancer]

To explore the feasibility of quick intraoperative in situ and noninvasive diagnosis of lymph node metastasis in gastric cancer by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometry. FTIR spectra of surgically removed fresh lymph nodes were measured by FTIR via probe of attenuated total reflection (ATR). For each spectrum, 13 bands were indentified and assigned between 3 000 and 1 000 cm(-1). Peaks in the spectra were measured and relative intensity ratios were calculated and compared between the spectra of Metastatic lymph nodes (MLN) and Non-metastatic lymph nodes (NMLN). Standard statistic analysis was performed. 720 lymph nodes were measured in 38 gastric cancer patients. Results show that there were significant differences between the FTIR of 540 MLN and 180 NMLN. (1) For the band related to nucleic acid: The ratios of I1240/I1460 (p = 0.015) and I1080/I1460 (p = 0.034) increased in MLN, which shows that the relative quantity of nucleic acid was more in MLN than that in NMLN. (2) For the bands related to protein: The ratios of I1640 /I1460 (p = 0.001) and I146/I1460 (p = 0.027) increased in MLN, which shows that the relative quantity of protein was more in MLN. (3) For the bands related to lipid: The ratio of I2855/I460 and I1740/I1460 decreased in MLN FTIR spectrum, indicating the lower relative quantity of lipid in MLN. (4) For the bands related to carbohydrate: The ratio of I1160/I1460 (p = 0.023) decreased in MLN FTIR spectrum, indicating the lower relative quantity of carbohydrate in MLN. The results demonstrate that the FTIR spectroscopy technique maybe develop into a promising method for in situ and quick intraoperative differential diagnosis of lymph node metastasis in gastric cancer.

[Surgical treatment and reconstruction of thyroid carcinoma invading cervical esophagus and trachea full-thickness]

OBJECTIVE

To summary the clinical therapy experience of thyroid carcinoma invading cervical esophagus and trachea full thickness and reconstruction of them to improve the survival rate and quality of life of these patients.

METHOD

In 33 patients with thyroid carcinoma inviding cervical esophagus and trachea, 7 patients were operated with total thyroid resection, 22 patients were operated with one lobectomy and the other side subtotal thyroid resection,and 4 patients were operated with partial lobectomy. Trachea local recection and intubation were performed on 19 patients, partial laryngectomy and pyriform sinus resection with trachea local recection and intubation were performed on 4 patients,and 10 cases were operated with tracheal sleeve resection and end to end anastomos.

RESULT

All patients were primary healing without tracheal anastomosis fistula, tracheal wall necrosis, esophageal fistula and pharyngeal fistula. One case had hypoparathyroidism after the operation and took a favorable turn a month later. Seven cases were dead (21. 21%). 1-year, 3-year, 5-year survival rates of the thyroid papillary carcinoma inviding cervical esophagus and trachea were 100.0%, 93.8% and 70.3%; 1-year, 3-year, 5-year survival rates of the thyroid carcinoma inviding cervical esophagus and trachea were 96.6%, 79.0% and 61.4%.

CONCLUSION

Thyroid carcinoma invading cervical esophagus and trachea full-thickness can be treated with surgical methods, and tracheal sleeve resection and end to end anastomos are the suitable methods.

[Analysis of the content of ten kinds of metal elements in cerebrolysin by atomic absorption spectrophotometry]

The contents of Mg, K, Ca, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu and Zn in eight different brand cerbrolysins were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The statistical results as follows: the metal elements have significant difference between in seven kinds of Chinese products and in the cerebrolysin made by Austria. According to the results, we studied the inter relation of metal elements with medicine result, and analyzed the effect of trace elements in cerebrolysin. It provided useful data for medicine on clinical practice.

Development of serial bio-shock tubes and their application

OBJECTIVE

To design and produce serial shock tubes and further examine their application to experimental studies on blast injury.

METHODS

Bio-medical engineering technique was used for the design and development of the serial shock tubes. One thousand four hundred and fifty nine animals (757 rats, 105 guinea pigs, 335 rabbits, 240 dogs and 22 sheep) were then used to test the wounding effects of the shock tubes.

RESULTS

Three types of bio-shock tubes, that is, large-, medium- and small-scale shock tubes were made in our laboratory. The large-scale shock tube is 39 meters long; the inner diameter of the test section is 1 meter; and the maximum overpressure in the driving section is 10.3 MPa. A negative pressure could be formed by means of the reflected rarefactive wave produced by the end plate. The medium-scale shock tube is 34.5 meters long; the maximum overpressure in the driving section is 22 MPa; the test section is designed to be a knockdown, showing 5 basic types with inner diameter of 77 to 600 millimeters, which could be used for researches on overpressure, explosive decompression, underwater explosion, and so on. The small-scale shock tube is 0.5 meter long with the maximum endured overpressure of 68.6 MPa. Results from animal experiments showed that this set of shock tubes could induce various degrees of systemic or local blast injury in large or small animals.

CONCLUSIONS

This set of bio-shock tubes can approximately simulate typical explosive wave produced by nuclear or charge explosion, and inflict various degrees of blast injury characterized by stability and reproducibility. Therefore, they can meet the needs of blast research on large and small animals.

Study on characteristics of blast-fragment combined injury in dogs

It is known that blast wave and fragments are the primary causes of casualties from explosive weapons. To study the characteristics of blast-fragment combined injuries, functional and morphological changes were investigated in three groups of anesthetized dogs with blast injury, high velocity fragment extremity injury, and combined injuries of both types. The same parameters were also examined in a control group. Several of the functions investigated were systemic pressure, mean pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP), oxygenic partial pressure of arterial blood (Po2), thromboxane B2(TXB2), and 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha (6-keto-PGF alpha). The morphologic study included gross, light microscopic, and transmission electronic microscopic observations. In the blast injury group, Po2 decreased and PAP, levels of blood plasma 6-keto-PGF alpha and level of TXB2 increased after injury, whereas PAP and level of 6-keto-PGF alpha decreased 24 hours after injury. The levels of 6-keto-PGF alpha and TXB2, in lung tissues, lung/body weight index were higher than those of the control group 24 hours after injury. The TXB2/6-keto-PGF alpha level in blood plasma increased slightly after injury, but showed no difference in lung tissue 24 hours after injury compared with the control group. The morphological changes showed that most of the animals sustained moderate lung injury. In the fragment injury group, Po2 decreased slightly and PAP increased slightly after injury; the levels of 6-keto-PGF alpha, TXB2 and TXB2/6-keto-PGF alpha in blood plasma increased after injury and were higher in lung tissue than in the control group 24 hours after injury. The lung/body weight index was nearly equal to that of control group. The morphological changes showed that only a few animals suffered from mild lung injury. In the combined injury group, Po2 and PAP changed in a manner similar to those of the other two injury groups but were more significantly. The level of blood plasma 6-keto-PGF alpha decreased gradually, whereas that of TXB2 increased permanently; thus, the levels of TXB2/6-keto-PGF alpha obviously increased after injury and were much higher than those in the other injury groups. The level of TXB2 in lung tissue was higher than that of the control group 24 hours after injury, but that of 6-keto-PGF alpha showed no change compared with that of the control group, and the level of TXB2/6-keto-PGF alpha was higher than in the other three groups. The morphological changes showed that most of animals sustained severe lung injury. It is concluded that extremity injury from high velocity fragment will aggravate lung blast injury. Changes in the levels of PGI2 and TXA2, can be used to determine the extent of injury in the three kinds of wounds. This may be useful for early diagnoses and rational treatment of the victims of explosion.

Pathologic study of thoracic impact injury involving a movable impact pattern

The left thoracic walls of 28 rabbits were subjected to lateral blunt impact in a movable impact pattern. The impact velocities ranged from 7.95 m/s to 16.13 m/s, and the compression response ranged from 15.69% to 46.14% of the thoracic width. The surviving animals were sacrificed at 6 hours after trauma and were autopsied. Injury scores were assigned according to the hemorrhage area and the injury type (e.g., rupture or rib fracture). When compared with the pathologic characteristics of the thoracic injury involving a relatively static impact pattern, the severity of thoracic injury involving a movable impact pattern was milder. Also there were more significant differences in the severity of injury to lungs and ribs on the left as compared with the right sides. The viscous criterion is still a good parameter reflecting the severity of injury to lungs and heart. The severity of rib injury was mainly related to compression response.

Studies on lung injuries caused by blast underpressure

This study was designed to determine the effects of underpressure on the lungs of rats and rabbits. An underpressure generator was made to simulate reliably the underpressure parameters at various levels. The peak level and duration ranged from -45.5 kPa to -86.5 kPa and from 21.3 milliseconds to 1,900 milliseconds, respectively. The time to peak negative pressure ranged from 3.5 milliseconds to 7.4 milliseconds. The results showed that underpressure at a certain level could inflict injuries on rats and rabbits. The severity of injury ranged from mild to extremely severe, even to death. These injury patterns were similar to those induced by blast overpressure. The lungs were the organs most vulnerable to underpressure. The pulmonary pathological changes included hemorrhage and edema. The typical hemorrhagic stripes on the lung surfaces resulted from the interfacial impacts of the lungs on the chest wall. The severity of lung injury increased with increased peak pressure and duration levels. This relationship can be expressed with linear regressive equations and the physical parameters of the underpressure can be used to indicate the severity of injury to lungs.

Pathologic study of thoracic impact injury involving a relatively static impact pattern

Fifty-five rabbits were subjected to left thoracic wall lateral blunt impact involving a relatively static impact pattern. The impact velocities ranged from 7.92 m/s to 16.33 m/s and the compression response ranged from 14.08% to 45.84% of the thoracic width. The surviving animals were sacrificed 6 hours after trauma and autopsies were performed. The lung was divided into bronchial and alveolar regions. Injury scores were assigned according to the hemorrhage area and the injury type (e.g., rupture or rib fracture). The results showed that the severity of bronchial injury was greater than alveolar injury when the impact velocity was low. However, alveolar injury was much more severe than bronchial injury at all levels of impact displacement when the impact velocity was high. The ratio of left/right lung injury decreased when the product of impact velocity and compression criterion increased. The latter was also well correlated with the severity of lung and heart injuries. In addition, the severity of rib injury was mainly related to compression response.

Studies on the mechanisms of stress wave propagation in the chest subjected to impact and lung injuries

To gain some quantitative understanding of the nature and properties of stress wave propagation and the pathological characteristics of lung injuries, pressure values at eight sites in the lungs during an impact period were recorded. The lung injury severity scores in the corresponding regions were determined in 11 dogs, which were subjected to blunt, left lateral impact at a velocity of 16.33 m/sec with a 24.5% compressive response. The results showed that the pressure value at the contact point was the greatest and that pressure decreased significantly from left side to right side. However, at the left hilum a second pressure peak developed. The pressure value at the contact point was 0.68 and 0.50 times greater than those at left lung and left hilum, respectively. The speed at which the pressure at the contact point rose was much faster than the speed at other points. The lung injury scores at different sites corresponded well with the pressure values (p < 0.001). The data indicated that the reflection and refraction of the stress waves result in the accumulation of forces at some points, transferring more energy to the tissues at those points. Therefore, the severity of injury at these points in these tissues was more severe.

Relationship between the dynamic parameters and injury severity of chest subject to impact

Seventeen dogs were subjected to blunt left lateral impact at velocities from 7.14 m/s to 19.05 m/s. The impacts to the thoracic wall were recorded by accelerometers fixed on the ribs at the impacted point and other areas. From this information the dynamic parameters (compression response, instantaneous deformation velocities, and viscous response) were calculated. The thoracic injury scores were recorded according to the Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS-85). The results showed that the chest was a viscoelastic structure. The dynamic parameters of the chest wall were correlated with the physical parameters in exponential function or logarithmic function. There was a more significant relationship between viscous criterion and injury score among the various parameters. The relationship curve was sigmoid. The results indicated that the viscous response might be a valid parameter for indicating the severity of injury.