Effects of vaginal dilation therapy on vaginal length, vaginal stenosis, vaginal elasticity and sexual function of cervical cancer survivors

BACKGROUND

Cervical cancer survivors can experience vaginal length shortening, vaginal stenosis, vaginal elasticity deterioration, sexual frequency reduction and sexual dysfunction. This prospective, uncontrolled, monocentric clinical interventional study aimed to evaluate the effect of vaginal dilation therapy on vaginal condition and sexual function of cervical cancer survivors who had not received timely vaginal dilation.

METHODS

A total of 139 patients completed the study. They received 6 months of vaginal dilation therapy. We evaluated their vaginal elasticity, vaginal diameter, vaginal length and sexual function before and after vaginal dilation therapy. Their vaginal conditions were evaluated by customised vaginal moulds, and the sexual function was assessed by female sexual function index. The SPSS 25 software was used to analyse all the data.

RESULTS

Age, vaginal diameter and sexual intercourse frequency before diagnosis were significantly associated with female sexual dysfunction of the patients after cancer treatment. Vaginal dilation therapy improved vaginal stenosis, vaginal length and sexual function in all the patients; however, the vaginal elasticity and incidence of sexual dysfunction did not improve significantly. Sexual intercourse frequency before diagnosis, vaginal elasticity, time interval from last treatment and treatment modalities were significantly associated with the change in female sexual function index score before and after vaginal dilation therapy. Patients with a time interval from the last treatment less than 24 months or those who had moderate or good vaginal elasticity, benefitted more from vaginal dilatation therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

Cervical cancer survivors who had not received timely vaginal dilation still benefitted from vaginal dilation therapy, irrespective of the treatment methods they received. Moreover, vaginal dilation therapy should be performed as early as possible after cervical cancer treatment.

Seven new triterpenoids from the roots of Adenophora tetraphylla (Thub.) Fisch

Seven new triterpenoids, named Adeterpenoids A-G (1-7) and eight known compounds (8-15), were isolated from 70% ethanol extract of the roots of Adenophora tetraphylla (Thub.) Fisch. The compounds from it were separated by column chromatography techniques such as silica gel, ODS, and preparative liquid chromatography. Their structures were clarified based on extensive spectral analysis (1D, 2D-NMR, HR-ESI-MS, IR, UV, and CD) and comparison with the literature. At the same time, all compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxic activity against the LN229 (human glioma cell line). The results showed that compounds 2, 5, 6, 13, and 14 had a significant inhibitory effect on LN229 cells.

Development of a Novel Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound-Based Nomogram for Superficial Lymphadenopathy Differentiation: Postvascular Phase Value

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to develop and prospectively validate a prediction model for superficial lymphadenopathy differentiation using Sonazoid contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) combined with ultrasound (US) and clinical data.

METHODS

The training cohort comprised 260 retrospectively enrolled patients with 260 pathological lymph nodes imaged between January and December 2020. Two clinical US-CEUS models were created using multivariable logistic regression analysis and compared using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis: Model 1 included clinical and US characteristics; Model 2 included all confirmed predictors, including CEUS characteristics. Feature contributions were evaluated using the SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) algorithm. Data from 172 patients were prospectively collected between January and May 2021 for model validation.

RESULTS

Age, tumor history, long-axis diameter of lymph node, blood flow distribution, echogenic hilus, and the mean postvascular phase intensity (MPI) were identified as independent predictors for malignant lymphadenopathy. The area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of MPI alone was 0.858 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.817-0.891), 86.47%, 74.55%, and 81.2%, respectively. Model 2 had an AUC of 0.919 (95% CI, 0.879-0.949) and good calibration in training and validation cohorts. The incorporation of MPI significantly enhanced diagnostic capability (p < 0.0001 and p = 0.002 for training and validation cohorts, respectively). Decision curve analysis indicated Model 2 as the superior diagnostic tool. SHAP analysis highlighted MPI as the most pivotal feature in the diagnostic process.

CONCLUSION

The employment of our straightforward prediction model has the potential to enhance clinical decision-making and mitigate the need for unwarranted biopsies.

Effects of vaginal dilation therapy on vaginal condition and sexual function of endometrial cancer patients treated with radiotherapy after surgery

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of vaginal dilation therapy on vaginal length, vaginal stenosis, vaginal elasticity, and sexual function of endometrial cancer patients treated with radiotherapy after surgery.

METHODS

A total of 117 women were enrolled in this study. They received 6 months of vaginal dilation therapy. We evaluated their vaginal length, vaginal diameter, vaginal elasticity, and sexual function before radiotherapy, after radiotherapy, and after 6 months of vaginal dilation therapy. Their vaginal condition was assessed by customized vaginal dilating molds. Their sexual function was assessed by female sexual function index. The SPSS 25 software was used to analyze all the data.

RESULTS

According to multivariate analysis, vaginal diameter (β = 0.300, 95% CI [0.217-1.446], p = 0.010) and sexual intercourse frequency before diagnosis (β = 0.424, 95% CI [0.164-0.733], p = 0.006) were significantly correlated with female sexual function after radiotherapy. Vaginal dilation therapy helped increase vaginal length, improve vaginal stenosis and sexual function (p < 0.05), though most of the figures at the end of the intervention did not fully return to those before radiotherapy. Noticeably, vaginal dilation therapy was ineffective in improving vaginal elasticity and the incidence rate of female sexual dysfunction (p > 0.05). Moreover, patients with medium or good vaginal elasticity benefited more from vaginal dilation therapy than patients with poor vaginal elasticity (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Vaginal dilation therapy should be carried out timely and preventatively in endometrial cancer patients treated with radiotherapy after surgery to improve their vaginal condition and sexual function.

[Diagnostic value of high frequency oscillation in localization of type Ⅱ focal cortical dysplasia epilepsy]

Retrospective analysis was conducted on 9 patients with type Ⅱ focal cortical dysplasia (FCD) who underwent stereo-electroencephalography (SEEG) implantation in the Department of Neurosurgery of the First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University from November 2020 to February 2023. The onset area, onset time, and frequency of high-frequency oscillations (HFO) were analyzed and the correlation of HFOs with interictal, preictal, and ictal periods. SEEG recordings of 80-500 Hz HFOs were observed in both interictal and ictal periods in 9 patients, with 6 patients exhibiting fast ripples (FR) in the range of 250-500 Hz. Surgical resection of the seizure onset area and FR-generating electrodes was performed, and postoperative follow-up for over 2 years indicated Engel I in 5 cases. 6 patients showed continuous discharge during the preictal period, and the distribution index of continuous discharge was positively correlated with seizure frequency. HFOs in the range of 80-500 Hz were present in all four seizure onset patterns during the ictal period. The onset area and FR-emitting electrode were surgically removed in 6 patients with continuous discharge and overlapping HFOs during the preictal period, with 5 cases of Engel I. Type Ⅱ FCD discharges exhibited complexity, high discharge indices, and a close association with HFOs. Compared with the spike wave, the electrode range of HF is more limited, and the incidence of HF before attack is significantly increased, which is closely correlated with the onset area. The simultaneous occurrence of HFO and the spike waves has higher diagnostic value than the individual occurrence, effectively enhancing surgical efficacy.

[Analysis of clinical epidemiological characteristics of respiratory syncytial virus in children in a hospital of pediatric in Hubei Province from 2020 to 2023]

Objective: To explore the clinical epidemiological characteristics of respiratory syncytial virus in children in Hubei Province from 2020 to 2023. Method: A single-center and cross-sectional study was used to analyze the clinical data of 3 271 children with respiratory syncytial virus infection in Wuhan Children's Hospital affiliated to Huazhong University of Science and Technology from July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2023. Nonparametric rank sum test and χ2 test were used for comparative analysis. Results: From July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2023, a total of 25 583 children were included in the analysis, of which 3 271(12.8%) children infected RSV. The detection rate was 16.3% in 2020-2021, 14.7% in 2021-2022 and 9.1% in 2022-2023. The detection rate decreased year by year (χ2=222.054, P<0.05). From 2020 to 2023, there was an anti-seasonal epidemic of RSV in spring and autumn. The detection rate of RSV in infants under 1 year old was the highest, but the median ages of RSV positive children increased (H=140.575, P<0.05). Pneumonia was the main clinical manifestation of RSV respiratory tract infection. Conclusion: The epidemiological characteristics of RSV in children in Hubei Province were different from those before. From 2020 to 2023, the detection rate of RSV decreased year by year. Besides winter, the prevalence of RSV could also be seen in spring and autumn. The median age of children infected with RSV increased after the epidemic. Pneumonia was the main clinical manifestation after RSV infection.

Ultrafine Pt Nanoparticles Anchored on 2D Metal-Organic Frameworks as Multifunctional Electrocatalysts for Water Electrolysis and Zinc-Air Batteries

Multifunctional electrocatalysts are crucial to cost-effective electrochemical energy conversion and storage systems requiring mutual enhancement of disparate reactions. Embedding noble metal nanoparticles in 2D metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are proposed as an effective strategy, however, the hybrids usually suffer from poor electrochemical performance and electrical conductivity in operating conditions. Herein, ultrafine Pt nanoparticles strongly anchored on thiophenedicarboxylate acid based 2D Fe-MOF nanobelt arrays (Pt@Fe-MOF) are fabricated, allowing sufficient exposure of active sites with superior trifunctional electrocatalytic activity for hydrogen evolution, oxygen evolution, and oxygen reduction reactions. The interfacial Fe─O─Pt bonds can induce the charge redistribution of metal centers, leading to the optimization of adsorption energy for reaction intermediates, while the dispersibility of ultrafine Pt nanoparticles contributes to the high mass activity. When Pt@Fe-MOF is used as bifunctional catalysts for water-splitting, a low voltage of 1.65 V is required at 100 mA cm-2 with long-term stability for 20 h at temperatures (65 °C) relevant for industrial applications, outperforming commercial benchmarks. Furthermore, liquid Zn-air batteries with Pt@Fe-MOF in cathodes deliver high open-circuit voltages (1.397 V) and decent cycling stability, which motivates the fabrication of flexible quasisolid-state rechargeable Zn-air batteries with remarkable performance.

[Mediating effect of self-efficacy on self-management ability and self-management behavior in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the mechanism of self-efficacy between self-management ability and self-management behavior and its differences among patients with different disease courses through mediation tests.

METHODS

In the study, 489 patients with type 2 diabetes who attended the endocrinology departments of four hospitals in Shanxi Province and Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region from July to September 2022 were enrolled as the study population. They were investigated by General Information Questionnaire, Diabetes Self-Management Scale, Chinese version of Diabetes Empowerment Simplified Scale, and Diabetes Self-Efficacy Scale. Mediation analyses were performed using the linear regression model, Sobel test, and Bootstrap test in the software Stata version 15.0 and divided the patients into different disease course groups for subgroup analysis according to whether the disease course was > 5 years.

RESULTS

In this study, the score of self-management behavior in the patients with type 2 diabetes was 6.16±1.41, the score of self-management ability was 3.99±0.74, and the score of self-efficacy was 7.05±1.90. The results of the study showed that self-efficacy was positively correlated with self-management ability (r=0.33) as well as self-management behavior (r=0.47) in the patients with type 2 diabetes (P < 0.01). The mediating effect of self-efficacy accounted for 38.28% of the total effect of self-management ability on self-management behaviors and was higher in the behaviors of blood glucose monitoring (43.45%) and diet control (52.63%). The mediating effect of self-efficacy accounted for approximately 40.99% of the total effect for the patients with disease course ≤ 5 years, while for the patients with disease course > 5 years, the mediating effect accounted for 39.20% of the total effect.

CONCLUSION

Self-efficacy enhanced the effect of self-management ability on the behavior of the patients with type 2 diabetes, and this positive effect was more significant for the patients with shorter disease course. Targeted health education should be carried out to enhance patients' self-efficacy and self-management ability according to their disease characteristics, to stimulate their inner action, to promote the development of their self-management behaviors, and to form a more stable and long-term mechanism for disease management.

2D Metal-Organic Frameworks as Competent Electrocatalysts for Water Splitting

Hydrogen, a clean and flexible energy carrier, can be efficiently produced by electrocatalytic water splitting. To accelerate the sluggish hydrogen evolution reaction and oxygen evolution reaction kinetics in the splitting process, highly active electrocatalysts are essential for lowering the energy barriers, thereby improving the efficiency of overall water splitting. Combining the distinctive advantages of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) with the physicochemical properties of 2D materials such as large surface area, tunable structure, accessible active sites, and enhanced conductivity, 2D MOFs have attracted intensive attention in the field of electrocatalysis. Different strategies, such as improving the conductivities of MOFs, reducing the thicknesses of MOF nanosheets, and integrating MOFs with conductive particles or substrates, are developed to promote the catalytic performances of pristine MOFs. This review summarizes the recent advances of pristine 2D MOF-based electrocatalysts for water electrolysis. In particular, their intrinsic electrocatalytic properties are detailly analyzed to reveal important roles of inherent MOF active centers, or other in situ generated active phases from MOFs responsible for the catalytic reactions. Finally, the challenges and development prospects of pristine 2D MOFs for the future applications in overall water splitting are discussed.

Development of Innovative Online Modularized Device for Turbidity Monitoring

Given progress in water-quality analytical technology and the emergence of the Internet of Things (IoT) in recent years, compact and durable automated water-quality monitoring devices have substantial market potential. Due to susceptibility to the influence of interfering substances, which lowers measurement accuracy, existing automated online monitoring devices for turbidity, a key indicator of a natural water body, feature a single light source and are thus insufficient for more complicated water-quality measurement. The newly developed modularized water-quality monitoring device boasts dual light sources (VIS/NIR), capable of measuring the intensity of scattering, transmission, and reference light at the same time. Coupled with a water-quality prediction model, it can attain a good estimate for continuing monitoring of tap water (<2 NTU, error < 0.16 NTU, relative error < 19.6%) and environmental water samples (<400 NTU, error < 3.86 NTU, relative error < 2.3%). This indicates the optical module can both monitor water quality in low turbidity and provide water-treatment information alerts in high turbidity, thereby materializing automated water-quality monitoring.

[Tajectories of the self-efficacy of HIV testing among MSM based on latent class growth model]

Objective: To analyze the trajectories of HIV testing self-efficacy among men who have sex with men (MSM) based on latent class growth model. Methods: From August 2019 to May 2021, 404 MSM were recruited in Shandong Province and subjected to a 1-year follow-up study with individual intervention (pushing intervention pictures and videos in WeChat and follow-up questionnaires) and community intervention (forwarding to friends and sharing and discussing HIV testing-related information in WeChat groups). The level of HIV testing self-efficacy among MSM was measured. The long-term trend of HIV testing self-efficacy was analyzed using the latent class growth model (LCGM), and the influencing factors of the trend were analyzed. Results: A total of 404 MSM were (28.25±8.95) years old, with the oldest being 58 and the youngest being 18. The scores of HIV testing self-efficacy M(Q₁, Q₃) at baseline and 4 follow-ups were 18.00 (17.00, 21.00), 19.00 (18.00, 22.00), 19.00 (18.00, 22.00), 19.00 (18.00, 22.00) and 19.00 (18.00, 22.00). The results of the freely estimated two-category LCGM model showed that the trend of HIV testing self-efficacy among MSM could be divided into two classes, "intervention response group" [255(63.1%)] and "intervention non-response group" [149(36.9%)]. The former had a higher level of HIV testing self-efficacy which tended to increase at first and then decrease over time, while the latter had a lower and more stable level. The results of the multifactorial logistic regression analysis showed that the OR values of MSM in business or service and jobless or unemployed were 0.261 (95%CI: 0.108-0.633) and 0.186 (95%CI: 0.057-0.610), respectively, using the students as the reference group. Conclusion: There is a group heterogeneity in the trend of HIV testing self-efficacy in the intervention conditions among MSM, and occupation may be an influencing factor.

Piezoelectric effect stimulates the rearrangement of chondrogenic cells and alters ciliary orientation via atypical PKCζ

Therapeutic ultrasound was administered to patients suffering from bone fracture with FDA approval. Bone and cartilage are piezoelectric materials. To investigate the effects of piezoelectricity on the cells of chondrogenic lineage, we applied ultrasound stimulation on an AT-cut quartz coverslip to generate electric field fluctuations. The bone-marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSC) and primary chondrocytes were cultured on either glass or quartz coverslips for ultrasound stimulation. The cells were immunofluorescent-labeled for the assessment of cell arrangement and ciliary orientation. Ultrasound and piezoelectricity both stimulate cell migration and disrupt ciliary orientation induced by directional migration. In particular, piezoelectric effects on cell rearrangement can be abolished by the inhibitor specifically targeting atypical Protein kinase C zeta (PKCζ). Our findings shed light on the possibility of cellular modulation by using piezoelectric manipulation.

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Separating the effect of piezoelectric stimulation from ultrasound stimulation.

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Cell migration accelerates upon ultrasound and piezoelectric stimulation.

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Piezoelectric stimulation influences cell polarity of chondrogenic lineage.

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Piezoelectric stimulation induces cell rearrangement via PKCζ.

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Novel strategy for modulating cell growth, cell differentiation or tissue engineering via piezoelectric stimulation.

[Postoperative outcomes and influencing factors of diffuse low-grade glioma-related epilepsy]

The clinical and pathological features and postoperative outcomes of 49 patients with diffuse low-grade glioma -related epilepsy who were admitted to the Department of Neurosurgery of the First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University from January 2015 to December 2018 were analyzed. After 1-year follow-up, 33 patients (67.3%) in the good prognosis group and 16 patients (32.7%) in the poor prognosis group were enrolled. Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicatedthat subtotal tumor resection (OR=5.56, 95%CI:1.21-25.44,P=0.027) and no postoperative radiotherapy (OR=9.24, 95%CI:2.05-41.75, P=0.004) were the risk factors for poor prognosis of postoperative epilepsy. Therefore, for patients with diffuse low-grade glioma-related epilepsy, total tumor resection and postoperative radiotherapy are beneficial to the control of epilepsy.

[Retrospective analysis of infliximab in the treatment of Kawasaki disease]

Objective: To investigate the efficacy and safety of infliximab (IFX) therapy for children with Kawasaki disease. Methods: Sixty-eight children with Kawasaki disease who received IFX therapy in Children's Hospital of Fudan University from January 2014 to April 2021 were enrolled. The indications for IFX administration, changes in laboratory parameters before and after IFX administration, response rate, drug adverse events and complications and outcomes of coronary artery aneurysms (CAA) were retrospectively analyzed. Comparisons between groups were performed with unpaired Student t test or Mann-Whitney U test or chi-square test. Results: Among 68 children with Kawasaki disease, 52 (76%) were males and 16 (24%) were females. The age of onset was 2.1 (0.5, 3.8) years. IFX was administered to: (1) 35 children (51%) with persistent fever who did not respond to intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) or steroids, 28 of the 35 children (80%) developed CAA before IFX therapy; (2) 32 children (47%) with continuous progression of CAA; (3) 1 child with persistent arthritis. In all cases, IFX was administered as an additional treatment (the time from the onset of illness to IFX therapy was 21 (15, 30) days) which consisted of second line therapy in 20 (29%), third line therapy in 20 (29%), and fourth (or more) line therapy in 28 (41%). C-reactive protein (8 (4, 15) vs. 16 (8, 43) mg/L, Z=-3.38, P=0.001), serum amyloid protein A (17 (10, 42) vs. 88 (11, 327) mg/L, Z=-2.36, P=0.018) and the percentage of neutrophils (0.39±0.20 vs. 0.49±0.21, t=2.63, P=0.010) decreased significantly after IFX administration. Fourteen children (21%) did not respond to IFX and received additional therapies mainly including steroids and cyclophosphamide. There was no significant difference in gender, age at IFX administration, time from the onset of illness to IFX administration, the maximum coronary Z value before IFX administration, and the incidence of systemic aneurysms between IFX-sensitive group and IFX-resistant group (all P>0.05). Infections occurred in 11 cases (16%) after IFX administration, including respiratory tract, digestive tract, urinary tract, skin and oral infections. One case had Calmette-Guérin bacillus-related adverse reactions 2 months after IFX administration. All of these adverse events were cured successfully. One child died of CAA rupture, 6 children were lost to follow up, the remaining 61 children were followed up for 6 (4, 15) months. No CAA occurred in 7 children before and after IFX treatment, while CAA occurred in 54 children before IFX treatment. CAA regressed in 23 (43%) children at the last follow-up, and the diameter of coronary artery recovered to normal in 10 children. Conclusion: IFX is an effective and safe therapeutic choice for children with Kawasaki disease who are refractory to IVIG or steroids therapy or with continuous progression of CAA.

Urban sediment pollutants alternate human cell essential behaviour through promoting oxidative damage

The main objective of this study was to establish a human cell-based platform to assess the effects of sediment toxicity on oxidative damage and cell essential behaviour. Since sediment pollution has increased as a consequence of including but not limited to industrialisation, the contaminants accumulated in sediments have already led to human health concerns. The Hsinchu Science Park is one of the most prominent semiconductor manufacturing centres in the world, and the Ke-Ya River flows through Hsinchu Science Park and the Hsinchu urban district. Because semiconductor wastes potentially contribute to higher-than-normal rates of cancers, birth defects, and serious diseases, the quality assessment of the Ke-Ya River has prompted widespread concerns. While previous studies have shown an association between the degradation of fish populations and sediment pollutants, very little is known about the issues on human health. Herein, the effects of sediment from three sediment sampling sites of the Ke-Ya River on 11 different human cell lines were directly evaluated. The upstream represents the undeveloped zone, the middle-stream represents the household/industrial wastewater zone, and the downstream represents the accumulation zone. Our results indicated that the sediment pollution of the downstream Ke-Ya River was more cytotoxic than that of the middle stream and upstream. Downstream sediment extract (DSE) significantly increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels across all cell types. Accordingly, oxidative stress can trigger redox-sensitive pathways and alter essential biological processes such as cell viability, cell adhesion, and cell motility. Importantly, the MTT assay indicated that DSE significantly decreased the viability of brain, oral, lung, breast, liver, pancreatic, cervical, prostate, and colorectal cells. Furthermore, the adhesive ability and wound healing ability of most cells were greatly reduced in the presence of DSE compared to other conditions. Thus, this study shows the results of the first analyses completed on the sediment cytotoxicity in human cells, and stimulated ROS levels are crucial for cellular life. In future research, the detailed cause and effect mechanisms of the abundant ROS generated in DSE will be further investigated. We sincerely hope that our study provides a scientific basis for further investigations with a global perspective on public health challenges.

[Study of abnormal lipid metabolism analysis and significance of fatty acid binding protein expression in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma]

Objective: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fourth most dominant cancer in the world and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the China. With the increase in the incidence of metabolic syndrome (MS) in the population, the correlation between MS and HCC has gradually been recognized. MS manifests as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (shortly known as NAFLD) in the liver. A large number of research results has shown that the development of fatty liver is closely related to the occurrence of HCC, in which lipid metabolism plays a key regulatory role, and lipid metabolism is regulated by fatty acid binding protein (FABP). This study signifies the lipid metabolism analysis and the key FABP expression conditions in HCC. Methods: Data of patients who were first diagnosed with primary HCC between January 2016 to July 2019 were collected, and were divided into two groups according to the etiology, namely the viral and non-viral hepatitis-related HCC group. The relationship between MS-related factors and HCC was analyzed by t-test and chi square test. The expressions of FABP1, FABP4 and FABP5 were detected in cancer and adjacent tissues by immunohistochemistry, and the expressions of FABP1, FABP4 and FABP5 in HCC with fatty liver were detected by immunofluorescence. Finally, the expressional characteristics of the above-mentioned FABPs in HCC patients were analyzed with different clinicopathological features. Results: There were statistically significant differences in the rate of abnormal lipid metabolism and the number of abnormalities in MS-related factors between the viral and non-viral hepatitis-related HCC group. FABP1, FABP4, and FABP5 expression in HCC tissues were lower than the corresponding adjacent tumor tissues. Compared with simple HCC, FABP1, FABP4, FABP5 expression were increased in HCC tissues with steatosis, and the expression of FABP was closely related to the clinical characteristics of patients. Conclusion: Abnormal lipid metabolism is closely related to non-viral hepatitis-related HCC. The expression of lipid metabolism regulatory proteins FABP1, FABP4, and FABP5 are down-regulated in HCC tissues, but up-regulated in HCC with fatty liver, suggesting that the relationship between MS, especially dyslipidemia, and HCC should be paid attention to in clinical practice for early intervention. FABP1, FABP4, FABP5 may regulate HCC occurrence and development.

[Correlation between intimate partner-related violence and high-risk sexual behavior among men who have sex with men]

Objective: To explore the experience of intimate partner-related violence (IPV) and its correlation with high-risk sexual behaviors among MSM. Methods: MSM were recruited in Ji'nan, Qingdao, and Jining of Shandong province from April to July 2019. Information on socio-demographic characteristics, AIDS prevention and control knowledge, IPV experience in the last year and high-risk sexual behaviors in the previous six months was collected by face-to-face questionnaire. EpiData 3.1 and SPSS 24.0 software were used for data cleansing and statistical analysis. Results: The average age of the 1 122 MSM was (29.80±8.78) years, with 68.1% (764/1 122) unmarried. 9.8% (110/1 122) had IPV experiences in the past year. MSM who came from Jining and Qingdao, living in the local area for more than two years, met their sexual partners in bar/bathroom/park, having no basic knowledge about AIDS, being drug users, and diagnosed with STD in the previous year, had a higher proportion of IPV experiences in the last year (P<0.05). 49.0% (550/1 122) and 20.9% (234/1 122) had unprotected anal intercourse and group sex behavior during the past six months, respectively. The results of multivariate logistic regression showed that MSM who experienced IPV were likely to have unprotected anal intercourse and group sex behavior during the past six months (aOR = 1.82, 95%CI: 1.14-2.91;aOR = 3.30, 95%CI: 2.10-5.20) than those did not experience IPV. Conclusions: IPV exists in the MSM population, and the IPV experience is positively associated with high-risk sexual behaviors. Targeted intervention to reduce the risk of high-risk sexual behaviors should be taken among MSM who experienced IPV.

Zeb1 Promotes Odontoblast Differentiation in a Stage-Dependent Manner

A comprehensive study of odontoblastic differentiation is essential to understand the process of tooth development and to achieve the ability of tooth regeneration in the future. Zinc finger E-box-binding homeobox 1 (Zeb1) is a transcription factor expressed in various neural crest-derived tissues, including the mesenchyme of the tooth germ. However, its role in odontoblastic differentiation remains unknown. In this study, we found the expression of Zeb1 gradually increased during odontoblast differentiation in vivo, as well as during induced differentiation of cultured primary murine dental papilla cells (mDPCs) in vitro. In addition, the differentiation of mDPCs was repressed in Zeb1-silenced cells. We used RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) to identify the transcriptome-wide targets of Zeb1 and used assay for transposase-accessible chromatin with high-throughput sequencing (ATAC-seq) to explore the direct targets of Zeb1 in both the early stage (embryonic day 16.5; E16.5) and the late stage (postnatal day 0; PN0) of tooth development. We identified the motifs of transcription factors enriched in Zeb1-dependent accessible chromatin regions and observed that only in the early stage of mDPCs could Zeb1 significantly change the accessibility of chromatin regions. In vivo and in vitro experiments confirmed that silencing of Zeb1 at E16.5 inhibited dentinogenesis. Analysis of RNA-seq and ATAC-seq resulted in the identification of Runx2, a gene directly regulated by Zeb1 during early odontoblast differentiation. Zeb1 enhances the expression of Runx2 by binding to its cis-elements, and ZEB1 interacts with RUNX2. In the late stage of tooth development, we found that ZEB1 could directly bind to and increase the enhancer activity of an element upstream of Dspp and promote dentinogenesis. In this study, for the first time, we revealed that ZEB1 promoted odontoblast differentiation in the early stage by altering chromatin accessibility of cis-elements near genes such as Runx2, while in the late stage, it directly enhanced Dspp transcription, thereby performing a dual role.

Piezoelectric stimulation by ultrasound facilitates chondrogenesis of mesenchymal stem cells

A cellular stimulation device utilizing an AT-cut quartz coverslip mounted on an ultrasonic live imaging chamber is developed to investigate the effect of piezoelectric stimulation. Two types of chambers deliver ultrasound at intensities ranging from 1 to 20 mW/cm² to mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) seeded on the quartz coverslip. The quartz coverslip imposes additionally localized electric charges as it vibrates with the stimulation. The device was applied to explore whether piezoelectric stimulation can facilitate chondrogenesis of MSCs. The results suggest piezoelectric stimulation drove clustering of MSCs and consequently facilitated chondrogenesis of MSCs without the use of differentiation media.

Protective effects of antioxidant egg-chalaza hydrolysates against chronic alcohol consumption-induced liver steatosis in mice

BACKGROUND

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) overproduction is highly related to some human chronic diseases. There are approximately 400 metric tons of chalazae produced yearly after the processing of the liquid-egg production, which are disposed of as waste. The objectives of this study were to look for the optimal production condition of antioxidant crude chalaza hydrolysates and evaluate the in vivo antioxidant capacity via a chronic alcohol consumption mouse model.

RESULTS

Antioxidant crude chalaza hydrolysates (CCH-As) could be produced by protease A at 1:100 ratio (w/w) and 0.5 h hydrolytic period. After our analyses, CCH-As were rich in leucine, arginine, phenylalanine, valine, lysine and antioxidant dipeptides (anserine and carnosine), and the major molecular masses were lower than 15 kDa. Regarding protective effects of CCH-As against oxidative damage in alcoholic-liquid-diet-fed mice, alcohol-fed mice had lower (P < 0.05) liver antioxidant capacities, and higher (P < 0.05) liver lipid contents, serum lipid/liver damage indices and IL-1β/IL-6 values. CCH-A supplementation reversed (P < 0.05) liver antioxidant capacities and reduced (P < 0.05) serum/liver lipids in alcohol-fed mice, which may result from increased (P < 0.05) fecal lipid output, upregulated (P < 0.05) fatty acid β-oxidation and downregulated (P < 0.05) lipogenesis in the liver.

CONCLUSION

Taken together, this CCH-A should benefit the liquid-egg industry, while also offering consumers a choice of healthy ingredients from animal sources. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.

[Research progress of microRNAs in regulation of lipid metabolism-related proteins for influencing the pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma]

The incidence of metabolic syndrome gradually multiplied with the change of dietary structure of high fat- high sugar in the population, bringing it as independent risk factors for tumors. Liver is an important organ of lipid metabolism. The main manifestations of metabolic syndrome are obesity and abnormal lipid metabolism, which are closely related to hepatocellular carcinoma occurrence. MicroRNA (miRNA) is an endogenous non-coding RNA that participates in the post-transcriptional regulation of target genes by binding to the 3'-UTR of mRNA. Research studies have found that abnormal miRNA expression can influence the pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma via regulating lipid metabolism-related proteins in the liver. This article reviews and discusses the characteristics and pathogenesis of lipid metabolism disorder in hepatocellular carcinoma, and the mechanism by which miRNA regulates the occurrence and development of hepatocellular carcinoma through lipid metabolism-related proteins. Furthermore, it also provides a reliable theoretical foundation for the study of the pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma.

[Neuronavigation-assisted percutaneous radiofrequency thermocoagulation of trigeminal gasserian ganglion for refractory craniofacial pain]

Objective: Percutaneous radiofrequency thermocoagulation (RFT) of the Gasserian ganglion is an effective treatment for refractory trigeminal craniofacial pain.In the present study, we assessed the feasibility of accessing the Gasserian ganglion through the foramen ovale with neuronavigation guidance in the patients of trigeminal craniofacial pain. Method: We retrospectively analyzed forty-four patients with type Ⅰ trigeminal neuralgia who had undergone percutaneous RFT treatment in our hospital from June 2014 to December 2016.The patients were divided into fluoroscopy group and navigation group according to the intraoperative guiding manners for foramen ovale cannulation.We compared groups in terms of the duration of the whole RFT procedure and times of intraoperative fluoroscopy.We also analyzed the immediate and late outcome accessing by Barrow Neurological Institute (BNI) pain scale, as well as the complication rates in groups. Result: There were 32 patients in the fluoroscopy group and 12 in the navigation group.The duration of the surgical procedure in navigation group was less than that in fluoroscopy group (46±12 min versus 67±16 min, P=0.00), and times of intraoperative fluoroscopy was reduced (6.3±2.2 versus 1.3±1.6, P=0.00). The learning curve of navigation-aid RFT was not steep in the present study overall.There was no significant difference between groups regarding pain reduction at the immediate (P=0.07) or late follow-up (P=0.400) time points.However, the rate of pain reduction to BNI-Ⅰ grade was greater in navigation group (P=0.026). No significant difference in the complication rate between both groups, and no serious complications were observed in the both groups. Conclusion: Neuronavigation may be encouraged in trigeminal Gasserian ganglion RFT with better operating efficiency and less radiation exposure.The immediate and late therapeutic effects for craniofacial pain control were positive, whereas further studies are necessary.

[Apoptosis and expression of Caspase 3 and Caspase 4 in neurocytes of refractory human temporal lobe epilepsy]

OBJECTIVE

To study apoptosis and expression of Caspase 3 and Caspase 4 in temporal lobe neurocytes of refractory human temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE).

METHODS

The temporal tissue samples were obtained from 30 cases of refractory TLE (TLE group) and 10 cases of brain trauma (contrast group) between January 1993 and May 2008. The surgical specimens were paraffin-embedded samples from Department of Pathology of Fujian Medical University and Department of Neurosurgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University. S-P staining of immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of Caspase 3 and Caspase 4 in temporal lobe neurocytes of TLE group and contrast group. Their expression was then analyzed. The terminal deoxynucleoitidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining was performed to visualize and analyze the neurocytes' apoptosis of two groups.

RESULTS

The expression of Caspase 3 and Caspase 4 in neurocytes of TLE group were both higher than that of contrast group (t=12.905, P<0.01; t=11.880, P<0.01). The apoptotic index (AI) of neurocytes in TLE group also increased than that of contrast group (t=9.664, P<0.01).

CONCLUSION

Caspase 3 and Caspase 4 may mediate neurocytes apoptosis in temporal lobe tissue of refractory human TLE.

[Factors associated with the surgical efficacy and prognosis of seizures in patients with low-grade glioma]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the relevant factors associated with the surgical efficacy and prognosis of seizures in patients with low-grade glioma (LGG).

METHODS

The clinical cases of seizures in patients with LGG admitted to our department were retrospectively collected from January 2010 to December 2014. A total of 45 cases were studied to analyze the relevant factors associated with the surgical efficacy and prognosis.

RESULTS

During a follow-up period of 1 to 5 years after surgery, Engel classⅠ to Ⅱ were achieved in 36 patients (80%) and Engel class Ⅲ to Ⅳ in 9 cases (20%). The preoperative epilepsy frequency and the use of intraoperative electrocardiograph (ECoG) were correlated with the surgical efficacy and prognosis (P<0.05). The other factors, such as age, gender, duration of epilepsy, and tumor characteristics, had no significant statistical difference.

CONCLUSIONS

The surgical efficacy of seizures in patients with LGG is favorable. Our results suggest that preoperative epilepsy frequency and intraoperative ECoG are important factors for surgical efficacy and prognosis. Consequently, based on gross total resection for seizures in patients with LGG, epileptogenic zones should be considered and dealt with by use of ECoG.

A scalable biomimetic synthesis of resveratrol dimers and systematic evaluation of their antioxidant activities

An efficient synthetic route to the resveratrol oligomers quadrangularin A and pallidol is reported. It features a scalable biomimetic oxidative dimerization that proceeds in excellent yield and with complete regioselectivity. A systematic evaluation of the natural products and their synthetic precursors as radical-trapping antioxidants has revealed that, contrary to popular belief, this mode of action is unlikely to account for their observed biological activity.

Interleukin-10 gene -592C>A polymorphism and susceptibility to gastric cancer

Numerous studies have evaluated the association between the human interleukin-10 gene -592C>A polymorphism and gastric cancer risk. However, the results have been inconsistent. This meta-analysis was designed to resolve these controversies. Systematic searches of the electronic databases Embase, PubMed, and Google Scholar were performed to identify relevant studies. A meta-analysis was performed to examine the association between the interleukin-10 gene -592C>A polymorphism and gastric cancer risk. Odds ratios (OR) and its 95% confidence intervals (CI) were used for statistical analysis. Twelve studies were included in the meta-analysis, which included 2116 gastric cancer cases and 4077 controls. No significant association was found between the interleukin-10 gene -592C>A polymorphism and gastric cancer risk in total population analysis. In stratified analysis, a significant association was found in the Asian subgroup (AA vs AC: OR = 0.79, 95%CI = 0.64-0.98; dominant model: OR = 1.26, 95%CI = 1.04-1.57), and no significant association was observed among Caucasians. In addition, the corresponding pooled ORs were not substantially altered after excluding one study that deviated from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium in the control group. This meta-analysis supports an association between the interleukin-10 gene -592C>A polymorphism and gastric cancer risk in Asians but not in Caucasians. Further large and well-designed studies are needed to confirm these conclusions.

Midazolam induces apoptosis in MA-10 mouse Leydig tumor cells through caspase activation and the involvement of MAPK signaling pathway

Purpose

The present study aims to investigate how midazolam, a sedative drug for clinical use with cytotoxicity on neuronal and peripheral tissues, induced apoptosis in MA-10 mouse Leydig tumor cells.

Methods

The apoptotic effect and underlying mechanism of midazolam to MA-10 cells were investigated by flow cytometry assay and Western blotting methods.

Results

Data showed that midazolam induced the accumulation of the MA-10 cell population in the sub-G1 phase and a reduction in the G2/M phase in a time- and dose-dependent manner, suggesting an apoptotic phenomenon. Midazolam could also induce the activation of caspase-8, -9, and -3 and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase proteins. There were no changes in the levels of Bax and cytochrome-c, whereas Bid was significantly decreased after midazolam treatment. Moreover, midazolam decreased both pAkt and Akt expression. In addition, midazolam stimulated the phosphorylation of p38 and c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase but not extracellular signal-regulated kinase.

Conclusion

Midazolam could induce MA-10 cell apoptosis through the activation of caspase cascade, the inhibition of pAkt pathway, and the induction of p38 and c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase pathways.

Genome-wide identification, classification, and analysis of two-component signal system genes in maize

Cytokinins play many vital roles in plant development and physiology. In plants, cytokinin signals are sensed and transduced by the two-component signal system. This signaling cascade is typically composed of three proteins: a sensory histidine kinase, a histidine phosphotransfer protein, and a response regulator. Through a comprehensive genome-wide analysis of the maize (Zea mays) genome, 48 genes were identified, including 11 ZmHKs, 9 ZmHPs, and 28 ZmRRs (21 A-type ZmRRs and 7 B-type ZmRRs). Using maize genome sequence databases, we analyzed conserved protein motifs and established phylogenetic relationships based on gene structure, homology, and chromosomal location. The duplication of these two-component system genes in the maize genome corresponded to the clusters of these genes in the phylogenetic trees. Sequence analysis of the duplicate genes demonstrated that one gene may be in gene duplication, and that there was significant variation in the evolutionary history of the different gene families. We assessed the expression levels of all ZmRRs in the leaves and roots by reverse transcription PCR; they were all found to be active. Our results provide a foundation for functional and evolutionary studies on maize two-component signal system proteins.

Identification of differentially expressed genes induced by angiotensin II in rat cardiac fibroblasts

1. Cardiac fibroblasts play an important regulatory role in cardiac remodelling by undergoing proliferation, differentiation and upregulating various gene products, including some cytokines and extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins. A highly potent mediator of cardiac remodelling is angiotensin (Ang) II. 2. In the present study, the suppression subtractive hybridization method was used to identify differentially expressed cDNAs in adult rat cardiac fibroblasts induced by AngII. 3. Following mRNA isolation of non-stimulated and AngII-stimulated cells, cDNAs of both populations were prepared and subtracted by suppression polymerase chain reaction. Sequencing of the partially enriched cDNAs identified 36 genes differentially expressed, including ECM proteins (pro-alpha(1) collagen type III, fibronectin), structural protein (spectrin), enzyme (GTP-specific succinyl-CoA synthetase), transcriptional regulators (glucocorticoid-induced leucine zipper, inhibitor of DNA binding 3) and proteins involved in cell division control (cdc2) or cell signalling (insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3, mutant p53-binding protein, grp75, CGI-121, protein phosphatase type 2A, tspan-2 and Sam68). 4. The diversity of genes identified in the present study further emphasises the central role of AngII in the regulation of cardiac remodelling.

Effects of dietary supplementation with copper sulfate or tribasic copper chloride on broiler performance, relative copper bioavailability, and oxidation stability of vitamin E in feed

An experiment was conducted using a total of 420, 1-d-old, Arbor Acres commercial male chicks to compare copper sulfate and tribasic copper chloride (TBCC) as sources of supplemental copper for broilers. Chicks were randomly allotted to 1 of 7 treatments for 6 replicates of 10 birds each and were fed a basal corn-soybean meal diet (11.45 mg/kg copper) supplemented with 0, 150, 300, or 450 mg/kg copper from copper sulfate or TBCC for 21 d. Chicks fed 450 mg/kg copper as copper sulfate had lower (P < 0.01) average daily feed intake and average daily gain than those consuming other diets. Feeding supplemental copper increased linearly (P < 0.0001) liver copper concentrations regardless of copper source. The slopes of regressions of log10 liver copper on different independent variables used in regressions differ (P < 0.05) between the 2 copper sources. Linear regression over nonzero dietary levels of log10 transformed liver copper concentration on added copper intake resulted in a slope ratio estimate of 109.0 +/- 3.4% (with a 95% confidence interval from 102.2 to 115.8) for bioavailability of copper from TBCC compared with 100 for that in copper sulfate. When the feeds were stored at room temperature for 10 or 21 d, the vitamin E content in the feed fortified with 300 mg/kg copper as TBCC was higher (P < 0.01) than that in the feed added with 300 mg/kg copper as CuSO4. The vitamin E contents in liver and plasma of broilers given TBCC were also higher (P < 0.01) than those of birds fed copper sulfate. The results from this study indicate that TBCC is a safer product and more available to broilers than copper sulfate, and it is chemically less active than copper sulfate in promoting the oxidation of vitamin E in feed.

Absence of bleeding complications in patients undergoing cortical surgery while receiving valproate treatment

Valproate (VPA) is associated with a variety of idiosyncratic hematological effects including thrombocytopenia, inhibition of platelet aggregation, and fibrinogen depletion. This has led some investigators to recommend discontinuation of VPA therapy prior to elective surgical procedures. However, administration of VPA therapy is not altered prior to surgery at the authors' center and no VPA-associated bleeding complications have been observed. Therefore, a retrospective chart review was conducted to verify the clinical observations in patients who had undergone cortical resection while receiving antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). Baseline, surgical, and postoperative laboratory data were available for a total of 313 patients, 111 of whom were receiving VPA and 202 of whom were receiving AEDs without VPA (control patients). Eighty-seven percent of the patients receiving VPA were also being treated with at least one other AED. The control group was approximately equally divided between monotherapy (55%) and polytherapy (45%) treatments. Platelet counts were significantly lower in the control polytherapy (284 +/- 74 x 10(9)/L) and both VPA groups (279 +/- 113 x 10(9)/L) as compared with the control monotherapy group (314 +/- 85 x 10(9)/L). Baseline fibrinogen levels were significantly lower in the VPA than in the control groups (223 +/- 91 g/dl vs. 278 +/- 95 g/dl). Both pre- and postoperatively, the VPA group had lower red blood cells counts, hematocrit, and hemoglobin levels. There was no significant difference between groups in estimated blood loss during surgery or qualitative wound discharge postsurgery. There was only one case of a bleeding complication, which occurred 14 days postoperatively in a patient receiving carbamazepine monotherapy. The results of this study confirm the clinical observations of an absence of bleeding complications in patients receiving VPA therapy at the time of surgery, despite differences in laboratory parameters.

A preliminary observation on auto-cholinergic synapse dysfunction in patients with different types of epilepsy

Serum anti-acetylcholine receptor antibodies (A AchR Ab) and anti-synaptic premembrane antibodies (A PrM Ab) were measured in 21 patients with absence epilepsy, 21 cases with benign childhood epilepsy with centro-temporal spikes (BCECTs) and 13 cases with atypical epilepsy. Respectively, in five (23.8%), eleven (51.2%) and eight (66.7%) of the above mentioned groups of patients both A AchR Ab and A PrM Ab were found.

[Diagnostic role of axillary skin biopsy in Lafora's disease]

Skin biopsies from axilla were examined in seven patients with manifestations of progressive myoclonic epilepsy. In seven chronic epileptics with general tonic clonic seizures receiving antiepileptic drugs and in five normal adults (one is patient's father), who served as controls. In three patients with progressive myoclonic epilepsy, typical PAS-positive lafora bodies were found in the cells of the eccrine duct. Axillary skin biopsy might be a convenient method for diagnosing Lafora's disease.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in seborrheic keratosis

We studied 89 seborrheic keratoses. In four cases, light microscopy and electron microscopy demonstrated that seborrheic keratoses may be associated with human papillomavirus (HPV) infection.

Mass cytologic screening for cervical carcinoma in China. A review of 7,735,057 reported cases

A review was made of cervical carcinoma screening in 7,735,057 cases based on 140 reports from 25 provinces and autonomous regions in the People's Republic of China. The average prevalence rate of carcinoma of the cervix was 138.74/10(5); the rate was higher in the mountainous districts, and was related to the early age of marriage, the number of children delivered and the existence of cervical lesions. Proper preventive measures imposed by the government, early detection and early treatment have brought about a marked decline of the prevalence and mortality rates. The repeated mass cytologic screenings have made radical cure of this disease possible. Concurrent geographic clustering of carcinomas of both the cervix and penis have been noted, and screening of spouses has been started.