[The expression of neuraminidase-1 in Ewing sarcoma and its impact on sarcoma cell proliferation and migration]

Objective: To investigate the expression of neuraminidase-1 (NEU1) in Ewing sarcoma (ES) tissue and its effect on the proliferation and migration of ES cells. Methods: To obtain datasets of ES from the National Center for Biotechnology Information's High-Throughput Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) for the analysis of NEU1 expression in ES; to acquire ES patient dataset from the International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC) database and apply Kaplan-Meier survival analysis to investigate the relationship between NEU1 and the prognosis of ES patients; adopting both univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis to determine whether NEU1 is a prognostic factor for ES; adopting the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) annotation to analyze the potential mechanism of NEU1 in regulating the malignant biological behavior of ES; adopting the real-time fluorescence quantitative polynucleotide chain reaction (RT-qPCR) to verify the expression of NEU1 in the human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSC) and the ES cell line RD-ES; adopting the transfection technology to knock down the expression of NEU1 in ES cell lines and divide them into two groups: shRNA-NEU1 and shRNA-NC to explore the effects of altered NEU1 expression on ES malignant behavior; adopting the cell counting kit (CCK-8) and cell clone formation experiment to detect the proliferation ability of two groups of cells; adopting the scratch healing experiment to test the cell migration ability of the two groups. Results: We retrieved and analyzed data from the GEO database, including GSE17674 (44 ES tissues and 18 normal tissues) and GSE17679 (87 ES tissues and 18 normal tissues), and found that NEU1 expression was significantly higher in ES tissues compared to normal control tissues (P<0.001). The complete gene expression and clinical information of 56 ES patients obtained from the ICGC database revealed that the ES patients with high NEU1 expression (n=28) had a significantly lower overall survival rates at different time points compared to those with low NEU1 expression (n=28) (HR=2.830, 95%CI:1.324-6.051, P=0.005). Univariate analysis indicated that NEU1 could impact ES patient prognosis (HR=1.049, 95%CI: 1.008-1.092, P=0.019), and multivariate analysis further suggested that NEU1 could serve as a risk factor for ES prognosis (HR=1.087, 95%CI: 1.028-1.148, P=0.003). KEGG results show that MAPK signaling pathway and cell adhesion molecule signaling pathway were potential mechanisms regulating the malignant process of ES. The RT-qPCR results showed that the expression level of NEU1 in the RD-ES cell line is significantly higher than that in the control cell hBMSC (2 184.23±527.32 vs 1.00±0.08, P<0.001). The CCK-8 experiment results show that the proliferation of RD-ES cells in the NEU1 knockdown group was lower than that in the control group at 24, 48, and 72 hours (0.494±0.126 vs 0.696±0.118, 0.657±0.096 vs 1.142±0.182, 1.053±0.064 vs 1.980±0.146, all P<0.001). The results of single cell clone formation experiment show that the number of colony formation in the low expression NEU1 group was significantly lower than that in the control group (184.2±123.9 vs 362.8±78.0, P=0.021). The cell scratch healing experiment finds that the average scratch distance of the NEU1 knockdown group was significantly lower than that of the control group (19.6%±5.7% vs 56.0%±7.6%, P<0.001). Conclusion: NEU1 may be a prognostic factor in ES, and its abnormal expression in ES can affect the proliferation and migration ability of the ES cells, leading to poor prognosis in ES patients.

[Medical figures in Wang Ao Ji]

Wang Ao was a famous politician and litterateur in the middle of Ming Dynasty. Wang Ao Ji comprehensively sorts out Wang's works for the first time, and collects all the poems and notes written by himself. A total of 38 physicians were recorded in Wang Ao Ji, among them, Wang Ao had close contacts with many physicians such as Zhou Geng, Zhou Xu'an, Sheng Rubi, Zhang Yangzheng and Chen Chong. Wang Ao and Zhou Geng are both core members of the literary society of Wuzhong, in the capital of Beijing. Wang Ao once wrote an epitaph for Zhou Xu'an, a tablet inscription for Sheng Rubi and a biography for Zhang Yangzheng. And Chen Chong once cured Wang's nephew's diarrhea caused by acne rash.The biographical records of physicians in Wang Ao Ji are highly reliable, and some medical information is the main source of official history and medical history works, which contains important historical value. Relevant contents about medical figures recorded in class of works, local chronicles, genealogy, anthology, notes and other ancient books, to a great extent, enrich biographical data of physicians, which is worth further research.

Deactivation and regeneration of a benchmark Pt/C catalyst toward oxygen reduction reaction in the presence of poisonous SO2 and NO

Adsorbed SO2 on Pt sites can be substituted by NO; adsorbed NO can be completely reduced to NH4+ and removed in a reduction potential range.

Mitochondrial DNA Polymorphism in Zhejiang She Population Based on Next Generation Sequencing

Abstract

Objective To study the genetic polymorphism of whole mitochondrial DNA （mtDNA） genomes in She population in Zhejiang and to explore the maternal genetic structure of the She population. Methods Whole mtDNA genomes of 231 unrelated individuals from She population in Zhejiang Province were sequenced. The number of mutations and population genetics parameters such as, the haplotype diversity （HD）, discrimination power （DP）, and random match probabilities （RMP） were analyzed. The mtDNA haplogroups of Zhejiang She population were classified, and the maternal genetic relationships between She and nine other Chinese populations were estimated. Results In 231 Zhejiang She samples, 8 507 mutations （702 types） were observed and the samples were classified into 94 haplogroups. The HD, DP and RMP values were 0.998 6, 0.994 2 and 0.005 8, respectively. The lowest genetic differentiation degree （F_st=0.006 89） was detected between Zhejiang She population and southern Han population. Principal component analysis （PCA） and median-joining network analysis showed that the genetic distance of Zhejiang She population with Guangxi Yao, Yunnan Dai and Southern Han populations was relatively close, but the population still had some unique genetic characteristics. Conclusion The whole mtDNA genomes are highly polymorphic in Zhejiang She population. The Zhejiang She population contains complex and diverse genetic components and has a relatively close maternal genetic relationship with Guangxi Yao, Yunnan Dai and Southern Han populations. Meanwhile, Zhejiang She population has kept its unique maternal genetic components.

Formation of an Artificial Mg2+-Permeable Interphase on Mg Anodes Compatible with Ether and Carbonate Electrolytes

Rechargeable Mg-ion batteries typically suffer from either rapid passivation of the Mg anode or severe corrosion of the current collectors by halogens within the electrolyte, limiting their practical implementation. Here, we demonstrate the broadly applicable strategy of forming an artificial solid electrolyte interphase (a-SEI) layer on Mg to address these challenges. The a-SEI layer is formed by simply soaking Mg foil in a tetraethylene glycol dimethyl ether solution containing LiTFSI and AlCl₃, with Fourier transform infrared and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy measurements revealing spontaneous reaction with the Mg foil. The a-SEI is found to mitigate Mg passivation in Mg(TFSI)₂/DME electrolytes with symmetric cells exhibiting overpotentials that are 2 V lower compared to when the a-SEI is not present. This approach is extended to Mg(ClO₄)₂/DME and Mg(TFSI)₂/PC electrolytes to achieve reversible Mg plating and stripping, which is not achieved with bare electrodes. The interfacial resistance of the cells with a-SEI protected Mg is found to be two orders of magnitude lower than that with bare Mg in all three of the electrolytes, indicating the formation of an effective Mg-ion transporting interfacial structure. X-ray absorption and photoemission spectroscopy measurements show that the a-SEI contains minimal MgCO₃, MgO, Mg(OH)₂, and TFSI^-, while being rich in MgCl₂, MgF₂, and MgS, when compared to the passivation layer formed on bare Mg in Mg(TFSI)₂/DME.

[A cross-sectional survey of the knowledge on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in physicians of tertiary hospitals in Northern China]

To investigate physicians' knowledge about chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in tertiary hospitals in northeast China. Physicians from 77 tertiary hospitals in northeast China were surveyed with a questionnaire, which included questions such as risk factors, symptoms, exacerbations, comorbidities and diagnostic criteria of COPD. Besides cigarette smoking, air pollution and pulmonary infections, only 22.5%(40/178) physicians recognized that the biomass fuels may induce COPD. Totally 59.0%(105/178) physicians recognized the importance of spirometry to the diagnosis of COPD. Besides dyspnea, cough, sputum production, wheezing and chest tightness, only 23.7%(42/177) of physicians considered that limitation of activity was an important symptom of COPD. 65.5%(116/177) physicians believed that recurrent lung infections was one of the most important comorbidities of COPD. However, less than 30%[20.9%(37/177)-28.8%(51/177)] physicians were aware of the other important comorbidities. The physicians of tertiary hospitals in northeast China need to be systematically educated on COPD to meet the new guideline.

Two isomorphous coordination polymer-derived metal oxides as high-performance anodes for lithium-ion batteries

Two Co₃O₄ and NiO anodes for LIBs derived from novel, isomorphous 2D coordination polymers displayed high rate cycling performance.

[Posterior debridement combined with atlantoaxial fusion to upper cervical tuberculosis]

Objective: To explore clinical results of posterior debridement combined with atlantoaxial fusion for upper cervical Tuberculosis. Methods: From March 2007 to April 2012, 8 patients with upper cervical Tuberculosis underwent posterior debridement combined with atlantoaxial fusion in our hospital were selected for retrospective analysis. 3 cases were males and 5 females, aged 29-65 (43.5±13.2) years. According to the pedicle destruction, using different screws (pedicle screw or laminar screw) fixation.In the preoperative and final follow-up, Japanese Orthopaedic Association score (JOA) and neck disability index (NDI) were used to evaluate neurological function and calculate improvement rate JOA score. At final follow-up, clinical efficacy was evaluated by Odom's grade. situation of internal fixation, fusion of upper cervical were assessed by imaging examination. During follow-up, complications were documented and analyzed. Results: Postoperatively 12 months, all bony fusion were achieved. Tuberculosis were reached clinical cure in 12-18 months. The JOA score increased from 10.5±2.0 preoperatively to 15.6 ±1.1 in final follow-up(P<0.05), and the NDI decreased from 29.9 ± 6.2 preoperatively to 8.6±1.6 (P<0.05). At last follow-up, according to Odom's standard, excellent were obtained in 6 cases (75.0%), good 1 cases (12.5%) and ordinary 1 case (12.5%). No severe complications was documented during follow-up. Conclusions: The treatment of posterior debridement combine with atlantoaxial fusion, and structure grafting and local anti-Tuberculosis drug using intraoperative, not only could obtain reliable clinical efficacy, completely removal of lesions, but also obtain strong stability, which plays an important role in the treatment of cervical tuberculosis.

[Anterior retropharyngeal debridement combined with posterior atlantoaxial fusion for atlantoaxial Tuberculosis]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the clinical efficacy of anterior debridement combined with posterior atlantoaxial fusion for atlantoaxial Tuberculosis.

METHODS

From February 2005 to February 2013, 7 patients, 3 males and 4 females, with atlantoaxial Tuberculosis underwent anterior debridement combined with posterior atlantoaxial fusion in Department of Orthopedics Zhengzhou University People's Hospital were selected.In the preoperative and final follow-up, Japanese Orthopaedic Association score (JOA), neck disability index (NDI) and Frankel Classification were used to evaluate neurological function and calculate improvement rate.At final follow-up, clinical efficacy was evaluated by Odom's grade.Situation of internal fixation, fusion of upper cervical were assessed by X-ray, CT scan and MRI scan.

RESULTS

Bony fusion were achieved in 7 cases after operation in 12 months. Tuberculosis were reached clinical cure between 17 and 21 months. At follow The JOA score increased from (11.1±0.7) preoperatively to (15.3±0.5) in final follow-up(P<0.05), and the NDI decreased from (34.0±4.6) preoperatively to (10.1±1.3) in final follow-up (P<0.05). At last follow-up, according to Odom's standard, excellent were obtained in 5 cases, good 1 cases and ordinary 1 case. Frankel Classification of all cases improved from D class to E.

CONCLUSIONS

The treatment of anterior retropharyngeal debridement combine with atlantoaxial fusion, and local anti-tuberculosis drug using intraoperative, not only could obtain reliable clinical efficacy, completly removal of lesions, but also obtain strong stability, which plays an important role in the treatment of atlantoaxial Tuberculosis.

Molecular characteristics and expression profiles of glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase 1 (GPD1) gene in pig

The cytosolic activity of glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase 1 (GPD1, EC 1.1.1.8) plays an important role in the synthesis of triacylglycerol and in the transport of reducing equivalents from the cytosol to mitochondria. Here we report the full-length genomic sequence of porcine GPD1 gene including promoter region. Porcine GPD1 gene contains eight exons and seven introns. Using the ImpRH, the GPD1 gene was mapped on chromosome 5. Sub-cellular localization of the pig GPD1 was localized in cytoplasm by GFP reporter gene. The full-length CDS of porcine GPD1 gene comprises 1050 nucleotides and it encodes 349 amino acids. Using the CDS sequences of 17 species, we built the phylogeny tree of GPD1 gene. We investigated the expression level of the gene in 13 different tissues and time course from birth to postnatal day 28 in longissinus doris muscle (LD) and in cerebrum. The result shows that porcine GPD1 gene is expressed in almost all tissues we tested but its levels of expression varies widely over 2 orders of magnitude. LD and the cerebrum have similar expression pattern that is at a low level at birth and increasing with aging to the highest level at postnatal day 8 in LD and postnatal day 14 in cerebrum. But weaning decreased the expression level of the GPD1 gene. This may partially explains the effects of weaning on energy metabolism.

Clinical results of the transoral operation for lesions of the craniovertebral junction and its abnormalities

BACKGROUND

We treated 20 cases of craniovertebral junction lesions via a transoral approach. Developmental abnormalities of the craniovertebral junction accounted for 15 cases; there were 3 cases of tumor, 1 case of osteomyelitis, and 1 case of rheumatoid arthritis.

METHODS

The transoral transpharyngeal approach was used in all cases. In 17 non-tumoral patients the anterior margin of the atlas and the odontoid process were resected. In one patient with a ventral clivus chordoma, both a transoral and a transnasal transsphenoidal approach was used for partial resection of the tumor mass. In two cases the median transpharyngeal approach was combined with a jaw-facial incision. In one case a metastatic adenocarcinoma, and in another a neurinoma of the accessory nerve straddling the posterior fossa and the pharyngeal region were removed.

RESULTS

After operation four cases developed craniovertebral joint instability and required posterior cervical fusion or external fixation with a halo brace. Follow-up ranged from 2 to 44 months. In most patients neurologic function slowly improved. One worsened, and one died of respiratory failure after operation. Two patients with malignant tumors died during the follow-up period.

CONCLUSION

In patients with developmental malformations, transoral decompression will result in some neurologic improvement and arrest the progress of symptoms. Patients with tumors are likely to show a good neurologic outcome when transoral surgery is performed in the early stage of the condition.

[Treatment of the lesions at anterolateral area of the brain stem via far-lateral approaches]

Based on our 12 cases of lesions located at anterolateral area of brain stem which were successful operated upon via far-lateral approaches, the study and progress of the far-lateral approaches were reviewed. In our cases, there were 4 intramedullary lesions including 3 vascular malformations, and 1 glioma. The other 8 lesions were located at extramedullary anterolateral area of brain stem including 2 large acoustic neuromas, 2 meningiomas at clivus and 2 neurofibromas at anterolateral areas of the medulla oblongata and upper spinal cord, 1 teratoma at the anterolateral area of pone-medulla and 1 large aneurysm at the junction of vertebrobasilar artery. During the operations, 8 lesions were totally removed. 1 meningioma was subtotally removed. 2 (1 vascular malformation and 1 glioma) were subtotally removed too, the aneurysm was only given a decompression of increased intracranial pressure, because the patient's interrupted respiration during the operation. There were nooperative mortality and morbidity and good results were obtained in this group. The details of our modified far-lateral approach was also described in this paper.

[Cavernomas of the central nervous system]

18 cases of pathological cavernoma of the central nervous system were reported. The took 11.25 per cent of verified vascular malformations in our department in the same period. 15 cases located intracranially, and 3 cases were within the vertebral canal. Repeated small amount hemorrhages in the lesions were the major cause of the clinical symptoms of these patients. MRI was the most reliable method for making a correct diagnosis of cavernomas before operation. Cavernomas usually had clear border and surrounded with gliotic tissues, so that extirpation of tumor with microsurgical technique was the best choice.

Effect of intermittent blood pressure elevation on the growth of experimental saccular aneurysms in the rat

In this study we applied the technique described in the previous paper (see pp. 103-106 of previous issue (1991); 13(2)) to rats with experimental saccular aneurysms. We found that the mean sizes and some growth ratios of experimental aneurysms were significantly larger in the intermittent blood pressure elevation groups than in the control groups. The increase of growth ratios was proportional to the number of transient blood pressure elevations. The morphological structure of these saccular aneurysms showed that the regenerative processes in the aneurysm wall had obviously been interfered with in animals with intermittent blood pressure elevation. The effective mechanism of this influential factor is discussed.

Effect of contralateral carotid ligation on experimental carotid artery aneurysm in the rat

Haemodynamic factors in the formation and development of saccular aneurysms have been widely studied. Saccular aneurysms could appear and grow at the side of the increased blood flow. The effects of contralateral carotid ligation on the formation and growth of our experimental saccular aneurysms were studied. Measurement and pathological examination showed that the haemodynamic changes could facilitate the development of saccular aneurysms, but by itself could not bring about their formation.

Pathological changes in experimental saccular aneurysms in the carotid artery of the rat

Although the reason for development of saccular aneurysms in humans has still not been elucidated, the process might be observed and explained using a reproducible aneurysm model in vivo. In this paper, a sequential pathological study of the experimental saccular aneurysms was made. No additional influential factors were applied. At all stages of the development between the induction and 6 months, the histology of the aneurysm wall was similar to that of human aneurysms. The imbalance of the degeneration and regeneration processes during the development of these experimental aneurysms is discussed according to the pathological findings in different periods. Haemodynamic stress and different regenerative speeds in different arterial tissues must be responsible for the saccular aneurysm formation and growth.

An acute experimental model of saccular aneurysms in the rat

A new and reproducible saccular aneurysm model has been developed at the bifurcation of the common carotid artery in rats. The details of the experimental methods and results are described. It is strongly suggested that the internal elastic lamina is a critical layer in saccular aneurysm formation, because an experimental saccular aneurysm can be produced immediately by transluminally damaging the inside of the arterial wall at the bifurcation of the common carotid artery. This saccular aneurysm model has several advantages: (i) it can be induced quickly and the success rate approaches 100% in rats; (ii) this technique can produce satisfactory experimental saccular aneurysms for other aneurysm studies, and in the future it will also be possible to use this technique to produce experimental saccular aneurysms in cerebral arteries of large animals.

Observations on experimental saccular aneurysms in the rat after 2 and 3 months

After 2 and 3 months we re-exposed 20 experimental saccular aneurysms. Under the operating microscope, we measured their sizes and compared them with the sizes immediately after induction. All aneurysms had grown significantly and none was thrombosed. Pathological examinations showed that the sac of the aneurysm was similar to that of the human saccular aneurysms. Based on the operating microscopy and pathological findings we postulate that abnormal histological structure and haemodynamic stress are the major causes of aneurysm enlargement. We also noted that there were some regenerative processes in these experimental aneurysm walls. The results prove that this model is reliable, because these aneurysms have the main characteristics of human saccular aneurysms, not only grossly but also microscopically.

Otologic features of bacterial meningitis of childhood

Sixteen temporal bones from eight children who had died of meningitis were histopathologically evaluated. Concurrent acute otitis media was demonstrated in 14 bones. In no case could a pathway of infection from the tympanomastoid compartment to the intracranial cavity be located. Further, inner ear infection appeared to be the result of retrograde bacterial invasion from the meninges rather than from an inoculation via the middle ear or mastoid. Should surgical drainage be required, the histopathologic findings indicate that mastoidectomy would have little advantage over myringotomy. We infer that a child with normal temporal bone anatomy is probably not at enhanced risk for development of bacterial meningitis from acute otitis media via a route of direct extension.

Cochlear pathology following experimental ablation of the vestibular labyrinth

A surgical procedure was performed on 24 cats in which the oval window was entered and the vestibular sense organs were ablated. The operation incited a severe reparative response in the vestibule, characterized by proliferation of fibrous tissue and bone and blockage of the longitudinal flow of endolymph. One inner ear became infected resulting in degeneration of the labyrinth. Of the remaining 23 ears, 20 showed cochlear endolymphatic hydrops (EH) and three did not. All three ears without cochlear EH (as well as two ears with cochlear EH) had fistulae of their endolymphatic systems. The findings are consistent with the concept that fistulization of the membranous labyrinth prior to the blockage of longitudinal flow will prevent the formation of EH. Similarly, fistulization occurring after the onset of EH should arrest its progression. These observations are relevant for surgical procedures designed to control intractable vertigo caused by EH.

Arachnoid cyst in the internal auditory canal

An arachnoid cyst of the internal auditory canal causing compression atrophy of nerve trunks was found in each of three human temporal bones. Arachnoid cysts are found in about 0.5% of operations for suspected neoplasm of the internal auditory canal. There is no current method for differentiating intracanalicular neoplasm from arachnoid cysts.