[Exploration of the method and efficacy of treatments for intractable pelvic pain caused by rectal or bladder fistula]

Objective: To explore the causes and therapeutic effects of pelvic pain caused by rectal fistula or bladder fistula after comprehensive treatment of cervical cancer and rectal cancer (radiotherapy, surgery, chemotherapy, and other treatments). Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical and pathological data of patients with pelvic tumors admitted to the First People's Hospital of Yinchuan City, Ningxia and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University from June 2016 to June 2022. The causes of persistent pelvic pain in patients after comprehensive treatment was investigated, and the corresponding therapeutic effects after clinical treatment was observed. Results: Thirty-two tumor patients experienced persistent pain after comprehensive treatment, including 22 cases of cervical cancer and 10 cases of rectal cancer. The preoperative pain of the entire group of patients was evaluated using the digital grading method, with a pain score of (7.88±1.31) points. Among the 32 patients, there were 16 cases of rectovaginal fistula or ileovaginal fistula, 9 cases of vesicovaginal fistula, 5 cases of rectoperineal fistula, and 2 cases of vesicovaginorectal fistula. Thirty-two patients were initially treated with medication to relieve pain, and according to the ruptured organs, a fistula was made to the corresponding proximal intestinal canal and renal pelvis to intercept the intestinal contents and urine. However, the pain did not significantly be improved. The pain score of treatment with the above methods for one week was (8.13±1.13) points, and there was no statistically significant difference compared to preoperative treatment (P=0.417). In the later stage, based on a comprehensive evaluation of whether the tumor had recurred, the value of organ preservation, the benefits of surgery, the balance between survival time and improving quality of life, pathological organ resection or repair was performed. The surgical methods included repair of leaks, local debridement combined with irrigation of proximal intestinal fluid, distal closure of the sigmoid colon combined with proximal ostomy, posterior pelvic organ resection, anterior pelvic organ resection, and total pelvic organ resection. One week after surgery, the patients' pain completely relieved or disappeared, with the pain score of (1.72±1.37) points, which was significantly divergent from the preoperative and initial surgical treatments (P＜0.001). Conclusions: Palliative pyelostomy and proximal enterostomy cannot effectively alleviate persistent pelvic floor pain. The fundamental way to alleviate pain is complete blocking of the inflammatory erosion of the intestinal fluid and urine.

Optoelectronic control of cardiac rhythm: Toward shock-free ambulatory cardioversion of atrial fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most prevalent cardiac arrhythmia, progressive in nature, and known to have a negative impact on mortality, morbidity, and quality of life. Patients requiring acute termination of AF to restore sinus rhythm are subjected to electrical cardioversion, which requires sedation and therefore hospitalization due to pain resulting from the electrical shocks. However, considering the progressive nature of AF and its detrimental effects, there is a clear need for acute out-of-hospital (i.e., ambulatory) cardioversion of AF. In the search for shock-free cardioversion methods to realize such ambulatory therapy, a method referred to as optogenetics has been put forward. Optogenetics enables optical control over the electrical activity of cardiomyocytes by targeted expression of light-activated ion channels or pumps and may therefore serve as a means for cardioversion. First proof-of-principle for such light-induced cardioversion came from in vitro studies, proving optogenetic AF termination to be very effective. Later, these results were confirmed in various rodent models of AF using different transgenes, illumination methods, and protocols, whereas computational studies in the human heart provided additional translational insight. Based on these results and fueled by recent advances in molecular biology, gene therapy, and optoelectronic engineering, a basis is now being formed to explore clinical translations of optoelectronic control of cardiac rhythm. In this review, we discuss the current literature regarding optogenetic cardioversion of AF to restore normal rhythm in a shock-free manner. Moreover, key translational steps will be discussed, both from a biological and technological point of view, to outline a path toward realizing acute shock-free ambulatory termination of AF.

[Clinical application effect of pedunculated rectus abdominis muscle combined with bilateral ureters for repairing refractory bladder-vaginal stump fistula through external vesical drainage]

Objective: To investigate the efficacy and safety of pedunculated rectus abdominis combined with bilateral ureteral extravestheter drainage in the treatment of refractory bladder-vaginal stump fistula. Methods: The clinical data of 8 cases of the refractory bladder-vaginal stump fistula were admitted to the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University and Henan Cancer Hospital and underwent the clinical treatment of bladder-vaginal stump from December 2019 to December 2022 were collected. The reason of refractory bladder-vaginal stump fistula was analyzed, the operation manner of pedunculated rectus abdominis combined with peduncle and bilateral ureter for the treatment of bladder-vaginal stump through extrabladder drainage was explored. The operation time, bleeding volume and clinical effect were record. Results: The median operation time of 8 patients was 150 minutes(120~180 min), and the median blood loss was 400 ml(200~600 ml). During the perioperative period, there were 2 cases of incision infection, delayed healing by debridement and dressing, 2 cases of incision rupture and suture wound healing after reoperation, and 2 cases of urinary tract infection were cured by anti-infection. When followed up for 6 months, 8 cases of vesicovaginal stump fistula were cured. Conclusion: Bilateral ureteral external drainage of the rectus abdominis muscle, has a practical effect in the treatment of refractory bladder-vaginal stump fistula, which can be one of the clinical repairing treatment.

[Clinical characteristics of COVID-19 Omicron variant infection in children with allergic diseases]

Objective: To analyze the clinical characteristics of infection of COVID-19 Omicron variants in children with allergic diseases. Methods: This was a cross-sectional retrospective study. A total of 657 pediatric patients with allergic diseases aged between 0-17 years confirmed with COVID-19 infection were enrolled from the Children's Hospital affiliated to Capital Institute of Pediatrics from January to March 2023. The median age was 6.6(4.7,9.9) years, with 443 males (67.4%) and 214 females (32.6%). Demographic data, vaccination status, clinical manifestations, therapeutic drugs, and other data were collected. The patients were then divided into different groups according to the age, type of allergic diseases and vaccination status, and their clinical characteristics were compared. Results: A total of 657 children with allergic diseases were included in this study, among them 568 with asthma. Fever is the most common symptoms after COVID-19 infection (627/657, 95.4%), and 509 children (77.5%) with high fever. Cough was observed in 446 (67.9%) and fatigue in 167 (25.4%) cases.10 cases (1.5%) were diagnosed as pneumonia. The proportion of pharyngalgia(22%,84/382, χ2=19.847, P<0.01), fatigue (31.7%, 121/382,χ2=23.831, P<0.01), headache(34.6%, 132/382,χ2=57.598, P<0.01), muscle joint pain(16.0%, 61/382,χ2=22.289, P<0.01) and vomiting(11.0%, 42/382,χ2=12.756, P<0.01) were highest in the>6 years group. Children younger than 3 years had the lowest proportion of runny nose(8.8%, 5/57,χ2=8.411, P<0.01), cough(45.6%, 26/57,χ2=6.287, P<0.05) and expectoration(7.0%, 4/57,χ2=5.950, P<0.05). 62.8%(137/218) of the patients in 3-6 year group had the highest rate of cough(χ2=6.287, P<0.05), with a higher proportion of wheezing (10.1%, 22/218). Cough and/or wheezing symptoms were most quickly relieved in the 6 year old group, who had a highest proportion of 68.8%(260/382) in duration of respiratory symptoms within 1 week compared with 52.2% (114/218)of 3-6 years group and 41.2% (22/57)of<3 year group, respectively(χ2=23.166, P<0.01). The asthma group had a significant higher proportion of cough(59.7% vs 41.6%, χ2=10.310, P<0.01), wheezing (8.5% vs 0.0%, χ2=8.114, P<0.01) and expectoration (19.2% vs 7.9%, χ2=10.310, P<0.01) than that of non-asthma group. Besides, patients with cough and/or wheezing in the asthma group had more impact on exercise and sleep (16.1% vs 0, χ2=5.436, P<0.05) and a longer duration over 4 weeks (25.1% vs 3.7%, χ2=6.244, P<0.05). Conclusions: The most common symptoms in children with allergy infected with COVID-19 Omicron variant were fever and cough. Children under 3 years of age had relatively fewer respiratory symptoms while those with asthma or aged 3-6 years were more likely to have cough and wheezing and longer duration of symptoms. The data suggested that the prevention and management of COVID-19 should be strengthened in children with allergy.

Light transmittance in human atrial tissue and transthoracic illumination in rats support translatability of optogenetic cardioversion of atrial fibrillation

BACKGROUND

Optogenetics could offer a solution to the current lack of an ambulatory method for the rapid automated cardioversion of atrial fibrillation (AF), but key translational aspects remain to be studied.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether optogenetic cardioversion of AF is effective in the aged heart and whether sufficient light penetrates the human atrial wall.

METHODS

Atria of adult and aged rats were optogenetically modified to express light-gated ion channels (i.e., red-activatable channelrhodopsin), followed by AF induction and atrial illumination to determine the effectivity of optogenetic cardioversion. The irradiance level was determined by light transmittance measurements on human atrial tissue.

RESULTS

AF could be effectively terminated in the remodeled atria of aged rats (97%, n = 6). Subsequently, ex vivo experiments using human atrial auricles demonstrated that 565-nm light pulses at an intensity of 25 mW/mm2 achieved the complete penetration of the atrial wall. Applying such irradiation onto the chest of adult rats resulted in transthoracic atrial illumination as evidenced by the optogenetic cardioversion of AF (90%, n = 4).

CONCLUSION

Transthoracic optogenetic cardioversion of AF is effective in the aged rat heart using irradiation levels compatible with human atrial transmural light penetration.

[Safety and efficacy of the early administration of levosimendan in patients with acute non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and elevated NT-proBNP levels: An Early Management Strategy of Acute Heart Failure (EMS-AHF)]

Objectives: To investigated the safety and efficacy of treating patients with acute non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) and elevated levels of N-terminal pro-hormone B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) with levosimendan within 24 hours of first medical contact (FMC). Methods: This multicenter, open-label, block-randomized controlled trial (NCT03189901) investigated the safety and efficacy of levosimendan as an early management strategy of acute heart failure (EMS-AHF) for patients with NSTEMI and high NT-proBNP levels. This study included 255 patients with NSTEMI and elevated NT-proBNP levels, including 142 males and 113 females with a median age of 65 (58-70) years, and were admitted in the emergency or outpatient departments at 14 medical centers in China between October 2017 and October 2021. The patients were randomly divided into a levosimendan group (n=129) and a control group (n=126). The primary outcome measure was NT-proBNP levels on day 3 of treatment and changes in the NT-proBNP levels from baseline on day 5 after randomization. The secondary outcome measures included the proportion of patients with more than 30% reduction in NT-proBNP levels from baseline, major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) during hospitalization and at 6 months after hospitalization, safety during the treatment, and health economics indices. The measurement data parameters between groups were compared using the t-test or the non-parametric test. The count data parameters were compared between groups using the χ² test. Results: On day 3, the NT-proBNP levels in the levosimendan group were lower than the control group but were statistically insignificant [866 (455, 1 960) vs. 1 118 (459, 2 417) ng/L, Z=-1.25,P=0.21]. However, on day 5, changes in the NT-proBNP levels from baseline in the levosimendan group were significantly higher than the control group [67.6% (33.8%,82.5%)vs.54.8% (7.3%,77.9%), Z=-2.14, P=0.03]. There were no significant differences in the proportion of patients with more than 30% reduction in the NT-proBNP levels on day 5 between the levosimendan and the control groups [77.5% (100/129) vs. 69.0% (87/126), χ²=2.34, P=0.13]. Furthermore, incidences of MACE did not show any significant differences between the two groups during hospitalization [4.7% (6/129) vs. 7.1% (9/126), χ²=0.72, P=0.40] and at 6 months [14.7% (19/129) vs. 12.7% (16/126), χ²=0.22, P=0.64]. Four cardiac deaths were reported in the control group during hospitalization [0 (0/129) vs. 3.2% (4/126), P=0.06]. However, 6-month survival rates were comparable between the two groups (log-rank test, P=0.18). Moreover, adverse events or serious adverse events such as shock, ventricular fibrillation, and ventricular tachycardia were not reported in both the groups during levosimendan treatment (days 0-1). The total cost of hospitalization [34 591.00(15 527.46,59 324.80) vs. 37 144.65(16 066.90,63 919.00)yuan, Z=-0.26, P=0.80] and the total length of hospitalization [9 (8, 12) vs. 10 (7, 13) days, Z=0.72, P=0.72] were lower for patients in the levosimendan group compared to those in the control group, but did not show statistically significant differences. Conclusions: Early administration of levosimendan reduced NT-proBNP levels in NSTEMI patients with elevated NT-proBNP and did not increase the total cost and length of hospitalization, but did not significantly improve MACE during hospitalization or at 6 months.

[Analysis of the causes of long-standing pelvic anterior sacral space infection and discussion of management techniques]

Objective: To investigate the causes and management of long-term persistent pelvic presacral space infection. Methods: Clinical data of 10 patients with persistent presacral infection admitted to the Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University from October 2015 to October 2020 were collected. Different surgical approaches were used to treat the presacral infection according to the patients' initial surgical procedures. Results: Among the 10 patients, there were 2 cases of presacral recurrent infection due to rectal leak after radiotherapy for cervical cancer, 3 cases of presacral recurrent infection due to rectal leak after radiotherapy for rectal cancer Dixons, and 5 cases of presacral recurrent infection of sinus tract after adjuvant radiotherapy for rectal cancer Miles. Of the 5 patients with leaky bowel, 4 had complete resection of the ruptured nonfunctional bowel and complete debridement of the presacral infection using an anterior transverse sacral incision with a large tipped omentum filling the presacral space; 1 had continuous drainage of the anal canal and complete debridement of the presacral infection using an anterior transverse sacral incision. 5 post-Miles patients all had debridement of the presacral infection using an anterior transverse sacral incision combined with an abdominal incision. The nine patients with healed presacral infection recovered from surgery in 26 to 210 days, with a median time of 55 days. Conclusions: Anterior sacral infections in patients with leaky gut are caused by residual bowel secretion of intestinal fluid into the anterior sacral space, and in post-Miles patients by residual anterior sacral foreign bodies. An anterior sacral caudal transverse arc incision combined with an abdominal incision is an effective surgical approach for complete debridement of anterior sacral recalcitrant infections.

[CircRNA circTNPO1 promotes the proliferation and metastasis of osteosarcoma by sponging miR-338-3p]

Objective: To explore the effects of circTNPO1 on the proliferation and metastasis of osteosarcoma (OS) by sponging miR-338-3p. Methods: The expression of circTNPO1 on osteoblasts and multiple OS cell lines were detected by qRT-PCR. CircTNPO1 stable knockdown 143B cell line was constructed by sh-circTNPO1. Cell count kit 8 (CCK-8) assay and wound healing assay were applied to evaluate the proliferation and metastasis of this cell. Luciferase reporter assay was used to explore the binding between circTNPO1 and miR-338-3p. In xenograft tumor model, miR-338-3p inhibitor or its control was injected into the circTNPO1 knockdown tumors. The weight and size of the tumors were evaluated and Ki-67 expression was detected by immunohistochemistry. Results: The RNA expression of circTNPO1 in OS cell lines U2OS, HOS, MG63, 143B, ZOS and ZOSM were 2.73±0.27, 3.18±0.54, 4.33±0.52, 5.75±0.65, 4.50±0.49 and 3.96±0.35, respectively, higher than 1.00±0.09 in hFOB1.19 (P<0.001). CCK-8 assay revealed that after 48 h and 72 h, the absorbance of sh-circTNPO1 #1 was 0.81±0.05 and 1.09±0.06, while sh-circTNPO1 #2 143B cells was 0.84±0.04 and 1.2±0.04, which were sharply reduced compared with the control (1.00±0.06 and 1.49±0.06, P<0.001); after 48 h and 72 h, the absorbance of 143B cells transfected with circTNPO1 #1 and miR-338-3p (0.92±0.06 and 1.32±0.07) were higher than those of cells transfected with sh-circTNPO1 cells and miR NC (0.92±0.06 and 1.32±0.07, P<0.050). Wound healing assay demonstrated that the 24 hour-migration rates of sh-circTNPO1 #1 and sh-circTNPO1 #2 cells were (24.43±2.15)% and (39.70±4.20)% respectively, which were significantly lower than that of the control [(56.51±3.27)%, P<0.010]; the migration rates of sh-circTNPO1 #1+ miR NC and sh-circTNPO1 #1+ miR-338-3p inhibitor were (26.70±2.21)% and (46.10±5.71)%, with a significant difference (P<0.005). In xenograft tumor model, the weight and size of tumors in control, sh-circTNPO1 #1+ miR NC and sh-circTNPO1 #1+ miR-338-3p inhibitor mice were (458.80±158.10) mg, (262.50±82.09) mg, (395.40±137.60) mg and (593.00±228.40) mm(2,) (203.30±144.20) mm(2,) (488.60±208.60) mm(2,) respectively. Compared with control, sh-circTNPO1 tumors were significantly smaller (P<0.01). Injection with miR-338-3p inhibitor significantly reversed both the weight and size of tumors (P<0.05). Conclusion: CircTNPO1 promotes the proliferation and metastasis of OS by sponging miR-338-3p, which could be a new target for OS treatments.

Repeating fast radio burst 20201124A originates from a magnetar/Be star binary

Fast radio bursts (FRBs) are cosmic sources emitting millisecond-duration radio bursts. Although several hundreds FRBs have been discovered, their physical nature and central engine remain unclear. The variations of Faraday rotation measure and dispersion measure, due to local environment, are crucial clues to understanding their physical nature. The recent observations on the rotation measure of FRB 20201124A show a significant variation on a day time scale. Intriguingly, the oscillation of rotation measure supports that the local contribution can change sign, which indicates the magnetic field reversal along the line of sight. Here we present a physical model that explains observed characteristics of FRB 20201124A and proposes that repeating signal comes from a binary system containing a magnetar and a Be star with a decretion disk. When the magnetar approaches the periastron, the propagation of radio waves through the disk of the Be star naturally leads to the observed varying rotation measure, depolarization, large scattering timescale, and Faraday conversion. This study will prompt to search for FRB signals from Be/X-ray binaries.

Fast radio bursts (FRBs) are bright millisecond or shorter duration transient events. Here, the authors propose that FRB 20201124A comes from a binary system of a magnetar and a Be star with a decretion disk.

Mass and density determination of porous nanoparticle films using a quartz crystal microbalance

A method is presented to directly measure the mass output of an impaction printer coupled with a spark ablation generator. It is based on a quartz crystal microbalance and shown to be reliable in quantifying mass deposition rate. Here, the method is demonstrated with an Au nanoparticle aerosol synthesized under several spark ablation and deposition settings. Changes in the deposition rate in response to changed synthesis conditions follow the spark ablation models on generation rate made in previous studies, validating this novel measurement method. In combination with the volume of a deposit, a good estimate of the film porosity can be made. The Au nanoparticle films synthesized here have a low porosity of 0.18 due to extensive restructuring and compaction on impact with the substrate. The porosity is found to be insensitive to deposition settings and is constant throughout the film. The simplicity and low cost of a quartz crystal microbalance setup make this an accessible method to determine porosity in porous thin films.

[Immediate postoperative color Doppler ultrasonography on the diagnosis of hemorrhagic complications of liver biopsy and its directed compression hemostasis]

Objective: To study the diagnostic value of immediate color Doppler ultrasonography on traumatic hepatic hemorrhage after tissue sampling with ultrasound-guided liver biopsy and the clinical effect of its-directed local compression hemostasis at puncture-site. Methods: 132 hospitalized patients with various liver diseases underwent ultrasound-guided hepatic puncture-biopsies, including 61 cases with diffuse parenchymal and 71 cases with focal liver lesions. Immediate postoperative color Doppler ultrasonography was performed following liver biopsy. Abnormal blood flow signal was observed at hepatic puncture biopsy site, and if there were hemorrhagic signals, ultrasound-directed local compression hemostasis was performed until the bleeding signal disappeared. F-test and Chi-square test were used for statistical analysis. Results: Immediate color Doppler ultrasonography showed traumatic hemorrhage in 36.1% (22/61) and 40.8% (29/71) cases of diffuse liver disease and focal liver disease group, respectively. All hemorrhagic signals were eventually disappeared after ultrasound-directed local compression hemostasis. The median hemostasis time was 2 min in both groups, and there was no statistically significant difference in bleeding rate and hemostasis time between the two groups (P>0.05). There were no serious complications and deaths. Conclusion: Traumatic hepatic hemorrhage along the needle puncture tract is a common accompanying condition during liver biopsy. Immediate postoperative color Doppler ultrasonography can trace bleeding signals in timely manner and direct effective compression hemostasis, so it should be used routinely to help avoid occurrence of severe hemorrhagic complications.

[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.

A bimodal burst energy distribution of a repeating fast radio burst source

The event rate, energy distribution and time-domain behaviour of repeating fast radio bursts (FRBs) contain essential information regarding their physical nature and central engine, which are as yet unknown^1,2. As the first precisely localized source, FRB 121102 (refs. ^3-5) has been extensively observed and shows non-Poisson clustering of bursts over time and a power-law energy distribution^6-8. However, the extent of the energy distribution towards the fainter end was not known. Here we report the detection of 1,652 independent bursts with a peak burst rate of 122 h^-1, in 59.5 hours spanning 47 days. A peak in the isotropic equivalent energy distribution is found to be approximately 4.8 × 10³⁷ erg at 1.25 GHz, below which the detection of bursts is suppressed. The burst energy distribution is bimodal, and well characterized by a combination of a log-normal function and a generalized Cauchy function. The large number of bursts in hour-long spans allows sensitive periodicity searches between 1 ms and 1,000 s. The non-detection of any periodicity or quasi-periodicity poses challenges for models involving a single rotating compact object. The high burst rate also implies that FRBs must be generated with a high radiative efficiency, disfavouring emission mechanisms with large energy requirements or contrived triggering conditions.

[Reoperation and perioperative management of residual cyst wall with perineal intractable sinus after resection of presacral cyst tumors]

Objective: To investigate the reoperation and perioperative management of residual cyst wall with perineal intractable sinus after resection of presacral cyst tumors. Methods: The clinical data of 29 patients with residual cyst wall and perineal intractable sinus after resection of presacral cyst tumors in Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 2014 to August 2019 were reviewed, including the characteristics of the residual cyst wall with perineal intractable sinus after resection of presacral cyst tumors, surgical method, and perioperative management. Results: Twenty-nine patients with residual cyst wall and perineal intractable sinus after resection of presacral cyst tumors, including 9 cases of epidermoid cysts, 7 cases of dermoid cysts, 10 cases of mature teratomas and 3 cases of malignant cysts (including malignant transformation of caudate cyst and teratoma); The 29 patients underwent posterior approaches for cyst resection in other hospital before, of whom 1 patient underwent posterior combined with transabdominal approach. All of thes patients underwent resection of residual presacral cyst wall and perineal intractable sinus in our hospital, of whom 25 patients underwent a transperineal approach through an arc-shaped incision anterior to the apex of the coccyx, and the other 4 patients underwent transperineal arc-shaped incision combined with transabdominal approach. All of the patients were cured without serious complications occurring, postoperative pathological and the magnetic resonance imaging diagnosis showed that the residual cyst wall and perineal intractable sinus were all completely removed. Conclusion: Appropriate surgical approache and perioperative treatment for the patients with residual cyst wall and perineal intractable sinus are very important to promote the resection of residual cyst wall and the healing of perineal intractable sinus.

Optical ventricular cardioversion by local optogenetic targeting and LED implantation in a cardiomyopathic rat model

AIMS

Ventricular tachyarrhythmias (VTs) are common in the pathologically remodelled heart. These arrhythmias can be lethal, necessitating acute treatment like electrical cardioversion to restore normal rhythm. Recently, it has been proposed that cardioversion may also be realized via optically controlled generation of bioelectricity by the arrhythmic heart itself through optogenetics and therefore without the need of traumatizing high-voltage shocks. However, crucial mechanistic and translational aspects of this strategy have remained largely unaddressed. Therefore, we investigated optogenetic termination of VTs 1) in the pathologically remodelled heart using a 2) implantable multi-LED device for 3) in vivo closed-chest, local illumination.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In order to mimic a clinically relevant sequence of events, transverse aortic constriction (TAC) was applied to adult male Wistar rats before optogenetic modification. This modification took place three weeks later by intravenous delivery of adeno-associated virus vectors encoding red-activatable channelrhodopsin (ReaChR) or Citrine for control experiments. At 8 to 10 weeks after TAC, VTs were induced ex vivo and in vivo, followed by programmed local illumination of the ventricular apex by a custom-made implanted multi-LED device. This resulted in effective and repetitive VT termination in the remodelled adult rat heart after optogenetic modification, leading to sustained restoration of sinus rhythm in the intact animal. Mechanistically, studies on the single cell and tissue level revealed collectively that, despite the cardiac remodelling, there were no significant differences in bioelectricity generation and subsequent transmembrane voltage responses between diseased and control animals, thereby providing insight into the observed robustness of optogenetic VT termination.

CONCLUSION

Our results show that implant-based optical cardioversion of VTs is feasible in the pathologically remodelled heart in vivo after local optogenetic targeting because of preserved optical control over bioelectricity generation. These findings add novel mechanistic and translational insight into optical ventricular cardioversion.

Mitochondrial DNA Heteroplasmy of Hair Shaft Using HID Ion GeneStudioTM S5 Sequencing System

Objective To study the heteroplasmy of the whole mitochondrial genome genotyping result of hair shaft samples using HID Ion GeneStudio^TM S5 Sequencing System. Methods The buccal swabs and blood of 8 unrelated individuals, and hair shaft samples from different parts of the same individual were collected. Amplification of whole mitochondrial genome was performed using Precision ID mtDNA Whole Genome Panel. Analysis and detection of whole mitochondrial genome were carried out using the HID Ion GeneStudio^TM S5 Sequencing System. Results The mitochondrial DNA sequences in temporal hair shaft samples from 2 individuals showed heteroplasmy, while whole mitochondrial genome genotyping results of buccal swabs, blood, and hair samples from the other 6 unrelated individuals were consistent. A total of 119 base variations were observed from the 8 unrelated individuals. The numbers of variable sites of the individuals were 29, 40, 38, 35, 13, 36, 40 and 35, respectively. Conclusion Sequence polymorphism can be fully understood using HID Ion GeneStudio^TM S5 Sequencing system.

[Types and treatment of easily-missed, misdiagnosed intestinal obstruction after radical radiotherapy of cervical cancer]

Objective: To investigate the types and treatment methods of easily-missed, misdiagnosed intestinal obstruction after radical radiotherapy of cervical cancer. Methods: The clinical data of 21 patients with intestinal obstruction after radical radiotherapy of cervical cancer in our hospital from May 2013 to May 2019 were collected, including the radiation dose, obstruction symptoms, surgical methods and treatment outcomes. The types and treatment methods of intestinal obstruction after radical radiotherapy of cervical cancer were further investigated. Results: The intestinal obstruction occurred in 21 patients with cervical cancer after radical radiotherapy. All patients were initially diagnosed as rectal obstruction and underwent the transverse colostomy. The obstruction symptoms were successfully resolved in 15 patients while failed in other 6 patients who then underwent the re-operation. Four patients with rectal obstruction accompanied by middle or terminal ileum obstruction underwent ileostomy, the other 2 patients with terminal ileum obstruction underwent the transverse ileal anastomosis and partial intestines exclusion surgery. All of the obstruction symptoms were alleviated. Conclusions: Rectal is the major obstruction site of the cervical cancer patients with intestinal obstruction after radical radiotherapy. However, a possibility of obstruction at the middle or end of the ileum also exists. Therefore, it is very important to avoid misdiagnosis and conduct appropriate operative treatment according to the obstruction site.

No pulsed radio emission during a bursting phase of a Galactic magnetar

Fast radio bursts (FRBs) are millisecond-duration radio transients of unknown physical origin observed at extragalactic distances^1-3. It has long been speculated that magnetars are the engine powering repeating bursts from FRB sources^4-13, but no convincing evidence has been collected so far¹⁴. Recently, the Galactic magnetar SRG 1935+2154 entered an active phase by emitting intense soft γ-ray bursts¹⁵. One FRB-like event with two peaks (FRB 200428) and a luminosity slightly lower than the faintest extragalactic FRBs was detected from the source, in association with a soft γ-ray/hard-X-ray flare^18-21. Here we report an eight-hour targeted radio observational campaign comprising four sessions and assisted by multi-wavelength (optical and hard-X-ray) data. During the third session, 29 soft-γ-ray repeater (SGR) bursts were detected in γ-ray energies. Throughout the observing period, we detected no single dispersed pulsed emission coincident with the arrivals of SGR bursts, but unfortunately we were not observing when the FRB was detected. The non-detection places a fluence upper limit that is eight orders of magnitude lower than the fluence of FRB 200428. Our results suggest that FRB-SGR burst associations are rare. FRBs may be highly relativistic and geometrically beamed, or FRB-like events associated with SGR bursts may have narrow spectra and characteristic frequencies outside the observed band. It is also possible that the physical conditions required to achieve coherent radiation in SGR bursts are difficult to satisfy, and that only under extreme conditions could an FRB be associated with an SGR burst.

Vertically-Aligned Multi-Walled Carbon Nano Tube Pillars with Various Diameters under Compression: Pristine and NbTiN Coated

In this paper, the compressive stress of pristine and coated vertically-aligned (VA) multi-walled (MW) carbon nanotube (CNT) pillars were investigated using flat-punch nano-indentation. VA-MWCNT pillars of various diameters (30-150 µm) grown by low-pressure chemical vapor deposition on silicon wafer. A conformal brittle coating of niobium-titanium-nitride with high superconductivity temperature was deposited on the VA-MWCNT pillars using atomic layer deposition. The coating together with the pillars could form a superconductive vertical interconnect. The indentation tests showed foam-like behavior of pristine CNTs and ceramic-like fracture of conformal coated CNTs. The compressive strength and the elastic modulus for pristine CNTs could be divided into three regimes of linear elastic, oscillatory plateau, and exponential densification. The elastic modulus of pristine CNTs increased for a smaller pillar diameter. The response of the coated VA-MWCNTs depended on the diffusion depth of the coating in the pillar and their elastic modulus increased with pillar diameter due to the higher sidewall area. Tuning the material properties by conformal coating on various diameter pillars enhanced the mechanical performance and the vertical interconnect access (via) reliability. The results could be useful for quantum computing applications that require high-density superconducting vertical interconnects and reliable operation at reduced temperatures.

[Retrospective analysis of curative effect of total pelvic organ resection and anal preservation in 20 patients with recurrence of cervical cancer after radical radiotherapy]

Objective: To explore the surgical method and effect of en bloc pelvic resection and anal preservation after radical radiotherapy for cervical cancer. Methods: Clinical data of 20 cervical cancer patients with central recurrence after radical radiotherapy underwent en bloc pelvic resection in the Tumor Hospital of Zhengzhou University and Hainan Provincial People's Hospital from January 2013 to December 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. The operative time, intraoperative blood loss, length of stay, postoperative anal function and postoperative complications were evaluated. Results: The median operation time of 20 patients with anal preservation after en bloc pelvic resection was 135.2 min, the median intraoperative blood loss was 680 ml, and the median hospitalization time was 16.5 days. Among them, 18 patients had good postoperative healing, and the anal function gradually returned to normal within 6 months after surgery, defecated 1~2 times per day.One patient showed incomplete adhesion between the external colon and the anus. One patient presented with pre-sacral infection. Postoperative pathology confirmed the recurrences in 20 patients, of which 11 cases were squamous cell carcinoma, 7 cases were adenocarcinoma, 2 cases were adenosquamous cell carcinoma. Conclusions: It is safe and reliable to preserve anus after en bloc pelvic resection for cervical cancer patients with radical radiotherapy. The anus function is good enough to improve the postoperative life quality of patients significantly.

An automated hybrid bioelectronic system for autogenous restoration of sinus rhythm in atrial fibrillation

Because of suboptimal therapeutic strategies, restoration of sinus rhythm in symptomatic atrial fibrillation (AF) often requires in-hospital delivery of high-voltage shocks, thereby precluding ambulatory AF termination. Continuous, rapid restoration of sinus rhythm is desired given the recurring and progressive nature of AF. Here, we present an automated hybrid bioelectronic system for shock-free termination of AF that enables the heart to act as an electric current generator for autogenous restoration of sinus rhythm. We show that local, right atrial delivery of adenoassociated virus vectors encoding a light-gated depolarizing ion channel results in efficient and spatially confined transgene expression. Activation of an implanted intrathoracic light-emitting diode device allows for termination of AF by illuminating part of the atria. Combining this newly obtained antiarrhythmic effector function of the heart with the arrhythmia detector function of a machine-based cardiac rhythm monitor in the closed chest of adult rats allowed automated and rapid arrhythmia detection and termination in a safe, effective, repetitive, yet shock-free manner. These findings hold translational potential for the development of shock-free antiarrhythmic device therapy for ambulatory treatment of AF.

High-resolution MEMS inertial sensor combining large-displacement buckling behaviour with integrated capacitive readout

Commercially available gravimeters and seismometers can be used for measuring Earth's acceleration at resolution levels in the order of ng ∕ Hz (where g represents earth's gravity) but they are typically high-cost and bulky. In this work the design of a bulk micromachined MEMS device exploiting non-linear buckling behaviour is described, aiming for ng ∕ Hz resolution by maximising mechanical and capacitive sensitivity. High mechanical sensitivity is obtained through low structural stiffness. Near-zero stiffness is achieved through geometric design and large deformation into a region where the mechanism is statically balanced or neutrally stable. Moreover, the device has an integrated capacitive comb transducer and makes use of a high-resolution impedance readout ASIC. The sensitivity from displacement to a change in capacitance was maximised within the design and process boundaries given, by making use of a trench isolation technique and exploiting the large-displacement behaviour of the device. The measurement results demonstrate that the resonance frequency can be tuned from 8.7 Hz-18.7 Hz, depending on the process parameters and the tilt of the device. In this system, which combines an integrated capacitive transducer with a sensitivity of 2.55 aF/nm and an impedance readout chip, the theoretically achievable system resolution equals 17.02 ng ∕ Hz . The small size of the device and the use of integrated readout electronics allow for a wide range of practical applications for data collection aimed at the internet of things.

2160Continuous shock-free termination of atrial fibrillation by local optogenetic therapy and arrhythmia-triggered activation of an implanted light source

Background

Maintenance of sinus rhythm is the primary therapeutic goal for symptomatic atrial fibrillation (AF) patients but remains difficult to achieve because of suboptimal treatment options. While being effective in detecting and terminating AF, the widespread use of implantable atrial defibrillators is limited due to patients intolerance to repeated shocks. The negative adverse effects of electroshock therapy can hypothetically be overcome by allowing the heart itself to produce the electric current required for arrhythmia termination. As a result, the effector function of an electrical defibrillator would be provided by the heart itself, and therefore no longer rely on electronics, but on bioelectricity instead.

Purpose

To develop a hybrid bio-electronic system for automated and acute shock-free AF treatment.

Methods

To equip the heart with the effector function of the envisioned AF termination system, adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors encoding red-activatable channelrhodopsin (ReaChR) (n=12) or citrine (n=4) were delivered locally to the right atrium (RA) of adult Wistar rats by gene painting. Four to 8 weeks later, AF was induced in vivo by atrial burst pacing after carbachol administration, followed by programmed local illumination of the RA by an implanted intrathoracic LED device whose activation was automatically regulated by an electrocardiogram (ECG)-based cardiac rhythm monitor.

Results

Gene painting of the RA resulted in transmural transduction of right atrial myocytes (78±6%) with minimum transgene expression of the left atrium and ventricles (6±2% and <0.5%, respectively). Electrophysiological assessments revealed no significant differences in ECG characteristics, atrial action potential duration and conduction velocity when compared to baseline or citrine control animals. Feasibility of optical AF termination was first assessed in an open-chest rat model, showing that a single 470-nm light pulse (3.5 mW/mm2, 1000 ms) efficiently terminated AF in all ReaChR-expressing rats with an average termination efficacy of 94±3% (n=12) vs. 3±3% (n=4) in citrine-expressing control animals (p<0.01). AF termination efficacy remained superb following automated detection and termination of AF by ECG-triggered activation of the implanted intra-thoracic LED in closed-chest ReaChR-expressing rats (96±4%), n=4), whereas none of the AF episodes were terminated in control rats (0%, n=4) (p<0.01). No bradycardias or other arrhythmias were observed following optical AF termination.

Conclusions

By using a hybrid bio-electronic approach to modulate cardiac excitability, our study delivers proof that AF can be detected and terminated automatically in a safe, effective and repetitive, yet shock-free manner. These findings may create the basis for the development of pain-free device therapy for cardiac arrhythmias, thereby paving the way for ambulatory AF treatment with the perspective to improve patients' prognosis and quality of life.

Acknowledgement/Funding

NWO Vidi grant (1714336) and ERC Starting Grant (716509) both to D.A.P.

A Low-Power MEMS IDE Capacitor with Integrated Microhotplate: Application as Methanol Sensor using a Metal-Organic Framework Coating as Affinity Layer

Capacitors made of interdigitated electrodes (IDEs) as a transducer platform for the sensing of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) have advantages due to their lower power operation and fabrication using standard micro-fabrication techniques. Integrating a micro-electromechanical system (MEMS), such as a microhotplate with IDE capacitor, further allows study of the temperature-dependent sensing response of VOCs. In this paper, the design, fabrication, and characterization of a low-power MEMS microhotplate with IDE capacitor to study the temperature-dependent sensing response to methanol using Zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF-8), a class of metal-organic framework (MOF), is presented. A Titanium nitride (TiN) microhotplate with aluminum IDEs suspended on a silicon nitride membrane is fabricated and characterized. The power consumption of the ZIF-8 MOF-coated device at an operating temperature of 50 ∘C is 4.5 mW and at 200 ∘C it is 26 mW. A calibration methodology for the effects of temperature of the isolation layer between the microhotplate electrodes and the capacitor IDEs is developed. The device coated with ZIF-8 MOF shows a response to methanol in the concentration range of 500 ppm to 7000 ppm. The detection limit of the sensor for methanol vapor at 20 ∘C is 100 ppm. In situ study of sensing properties of ZIF-8 MOF to methanol in the temperature range from 20 ∘C to 50 ∘C using the integrated microhotplate and IDE capacitor is presented. The kinetics of temperature-dependent adsorption and desorption of methanol by ZIF-8 MOF are fitted with double-exponential models. With the increase in temperature from 20 ∘C to 50 ∘C, the response time for sensing of methanol vapor concentration of 5000 ppm decreases by 28%, whereas the recovery time decreases by 70%.

Germanene on single-layer ZnSe substrate: novel electronic and optical properties

In this work, the structural, electronic and optical properties of germanene and ZnSe substrate nanocomposites have been investigated using first-principles calculations. We found that the large direct-gap ZnSe semiconductors and zero-gap germanene form a typical orbital hybridization heterostructure with a strong binding energy, which shows a moderate direct band gap of 0.503 eV in the most stable pattern. Furthermore, the heterostructure undergoes semiconductor-to-metal band gap transition when subjected to external out-of-plane electric field. We also found that applying external strain and compressing the interlayer distance are two simple ways of tuning the electronic structure. An unexpected indirect-direct band gap transition is also observed in the AAII pattern via adjusting the interlayer distance. Quite interestingly, the calculated results exhibit that the germanene/ZnSe heterobilayer structure has perfect optical absorption in the solar spectrum as well as the infrared and UV light zones, which is superior to that of the individual ZnSe substrate and germanene. The staggered interfacial gap and tunability of the energy band structure via interlayer distance and external electric field and strain thus make the germanene/ZnSe heterostructure a promising candidate for field effect transistors (FETs) and nanoelectronic applications.

Low-field magnetotransport in graphene cavity devices

Confinement and edge structures are known to play significant roles in the electronic and transport properties of two-dimensional materials. Here, we report on low-temperature magnetotransport measurements of lithographically patterned graphene cavity nanodevices. It is found that the evolution of the low-field magnetoconductance characteristics with varying carrier density exhibits different behaviors in graphene cavity and bulk graphene devices. In the graphene cavity devices, we observed that intravalley scattering becomes dominant as the Fermi level gets close to the Dirac point. We associate this enhanced intravalley scattering to the effect of charge inhomogeneities and edge disorder in the confined graphene nanostructures. We also observed that the dephasing rate of carriers in the cavity devices follows a parabolic temperature dependence, indicating that the direct Coulomb interaction scattering mechanism governs the dephasing at low temperatures. Our results demonstrate the importance of confinement in carrier transport in graphene nanostructure devices.

Effects of Conformal Nanoscale Coatings on Thermal Performance of Vertically Aligned Carbon Nanotubes

The high aspect ratio and the porous nature of spatially oriented forest-like carbon nanotube (CNT) structures represent a unique opportunity to engineer a novel class of nanoscale assemblies. By combining CNTs and conformal coatings, a 3D lightweight scaffold with tailored behavior can be achieved. The effect of nanoscale coatings, aluminum oxide (Al₂ O₃ ) and nonstoichiometric amorphous silicon carbide (a-SiC), on the thermal transport efficiency of high aspect ratio vertically aligned CNTs, is reported herein. The thermal performance of the CNT-based nanostructure strongly depends on the achieved porosity, the coating material and its infiltration within the nanotube network. An unprecedented enhancement in terms of effective thermal conductivity in a-SiC coated CNTs has been obtained: 181% compared to the as-grown CNTs and Al₂ O₃ coated CNTs. Furthermore, the integration of coated high aspect ratio CNTs in an epoxy molding compound demonstrates that, next to the required thermal conductivity, the mechanical compliance for thermal interface applications can also be achieved through coating infiltration into foam-like CNT forests.

First Results from CUORE: A Search for Lepton Number Violation via 0νββ Decay of ^{130}Te

The CUORE experiment, a ton-scale cryogenic bolometer array, recently began operation at the Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso in Italy. The array represents a significant advancement in this technology, and in this work we apply it for the first time to a high-sensitivity search for a lepton-number-violating process: ^{130}Te neutrinoless double-beta decay. Examining a total TeO_{2} exposure of 86.3 kg yr, characterized by an effective energy resolution of (7.7±0.5)  keV FWHM and a background in the region of interest of (0.014±0.002)  counts/(keV kg yr), we find no evidence for neutrinoless double-beta decay. Including systematic uncertainties, we place a lower limit on the decay half-life of T_{1/2}^{0ν}(^{130}Te)>1.3×10^{25}  yr (90% C.L.); the median statistical sensitivity of this search is 7.0×10^{24}  yr. Combining this result with those of two earlier experiments, Cuoricino and CUORE-0, we find T_{1/2}^{0ν}(^{130}Te)>1.5×10^{25}  yr (90% C.L.), which is the most stringent limit to date on this decay. Interpreting this result as a limit on the effective Majorana neutrino mass, we find m_{ββ}<(110-520)  meV, where the range reflects the nuclear matrix element estimates employed.

Sensitive and Reversible Detection of Methanol and Water Vapor by In Situ Electrochemically Grown CuBTC MOFs on Interdigitated Electrodes

The in situ electrochemical growth of Cu benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxylate (CuBTC) metal-organic frameworks, as an affinity layer, directly on custom-fabricated Cu interdigitated electrodes (IDEs) is described, acting as a transducer. Crystalline 5-7 µm thick CuBTC layers are grown on IDEs consisting of 100 electrodes with a width and a gap of both 50 µm and a height of 6-8 µm. These capacitive sensors are exposed to methanol and water vapor at 30 °C. The affinities show to be completely reversible with higher affinity toward water compared to methanol. For exposure to 1000 ppm methanol, a fast response is observed with a capacitance change of 5.57 pF at equilibrium. The capacitance increases in time followed diffusion-controlled kinetics (k = 2.9 mmol s^-0.5 g^-1_CuBTC ). The observed capacitance change with methanol concentration follows a Langmuir adsorption isotherm, with a value for the equilibrium affinity K_e = 174.8 bar^-1 . A volume fraction f_MeOH = 0.038 is occupied upon exposure to 1000 ppm of methanol. The thin CuBTC affinity layer on the Cu-IDEs shows fast, reversible, and sensitive responses to methanol and water vapor, enabling quantitative detection in the range of 100-8000 ppm.

A Data Capture Framework for Large-scale Interventional Studies with Survey Workflow Management

Capturing high-quality survey data is an arduous process for large-scale and extensive interventional studies. This paper presents the architecture, interface design, and an innovative form generation engine of a system called RE- Form: Refactorized Electronic Web Forms. REForm provides researchers the capability to design and manage surveys and the flexibility to organize them in a customizable workflow. REForm has been designed, implemented, pilot-tested and deployed for an NCI-funded interventional study IMPACT. It enables IMPACT to design and conduct a baseline survey of 95 questions with 662 options, a post-intervention survey of 82 questions with 574 options, six Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) surveys including four questions and 26 options each, and a follow-up survey con- taining 15 questions and 125 options. Feedback designed in the post-intervention survey showed that more than 94 percent of IMPACT participants highly endorsed the design and usability of the surveys created using REForm.

Chemotherapeutic effect of Zerumbone on melanoma cells through mitochondria-mediated pathways

BACKGROUND

Zerumbone (ZER) is a phytochemical that appears to regulate cell proliferation and apoptosis. It has been reported to have an anti-tumour effect in various malignant cells; however, the effect and the mechanism of ZER on melanoma cells needs to be clarified.

AIM

To explore whether ZER has an effect on human melanoma cells and to identify the mechanisms involved.

METHODS

We determined the chemotherapeutic action of ZER on the human malignant melanoma (MM) A375 cell line by CCK-8 immunohistochemistry, Hoechst 33342 staining and flow cytometry analysis. We also investigated the signalling pathways by which ZER induces apoptosis in A375 cells, using western blotting, reverse transcription PCR and caspase-3 activity analysis.

RESULTS

ZER induced significant cytotoxic action in A375 cells. Hoechst 33342 staining and flow cytometry apoptosis analysis further demonstrated that ZER induced apoptosis in A375 cells. Treatment with ZER downregulated Bcl-2 gene and protein levels, upregulated Bax and Cytochrome c gene and protein levels, and activated Caspase-3.

CONCLUSIONS

ZER might have a chemotherapeutic effect on human melanoma cells through mitochondria-mediated pathways.

Silencing of microRNA-138-5p promotes IL-1β-induced cartilage degradation in human chondrocytes by targeting FOXC1: miR-138 promotes cartilage degradation

Objectives

Osteoarthritis (OA) is characterised by articular cartilage degradation. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been identified in the development of OA. The purpose of our study was to explore the functional role and underlying mechanism of miR-138-5p in interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β)-induced extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation of OA cartilage.

Materials and Methods

Human articular cartilage was obtained from patients with and without OA, and chondrocytes were isolated and stimulated by IL-1β. The expression levels of miR-138-5p in cartilage and chondrocytes were both determined. After transfection with miR-138-5p mimics, allele-specific oligonucleotide (ASO)-miR-138-5p, or their negative controls, the messenger RNA (mRNA) levels of aggrecan (ACAN), collagen type II and alpha 1 (COL2A1), the protein levels of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), and both the mRNA and protein levels of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-13 were evaluated. Luciferase reporter assay, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), and Western blot were performed to explore whether Forkhead Box C1 (FOCX1) was a target of miR-138-5p. Further, we co-transfected OA chondrocytes with miR-138-5p mimics and pcDNA3.1 (+)-FOXC1 and then stimulated with IL-1β to determine whether miR-138-5p-mediated IL-1β-induced cartilage matrix degradation resulted from targeting FOXC1.

Results

MiR-138-5p was significantly increased in OA cartilage and in chondrocytes in response to IL-1β-stimulation. Overexpression of miR-138-5p significantly increased the IL-1β-induced downregulation of COL2A1, ACAN, and GAGs, and increased the IL-1β-induced over expression of MMP-13.We found that FOXC1 is directly regulated by miR-138-5p. Additionally, co-transfection with miR-138-5p mimics and pcDNA3.1 (+)-FOXC1 resulted in higher levels of COL2A1, ACAN, and GAGs, but lower levels of MMP-13.

Conclusion

miR-138-5p promotes IL-1β-induced cartilage degradation in human chondrocytes, possibly by targeting FOXC1.

Cite this article: Y. Yuan, G. Q. Zhang, W. Chai,M. Ni, C. Xu, J. Y. Chen. Silencing of microRNA-138-5p promotes IL-1β-induced cartilage degradation in human chondrocytes by targeting FOXC1: miR-138 promotes cartilage degradation. Bone Joint Res 2016;5:523–530. DOI: 10.1302/2046-3758.510.BJR-2016-0074.R2.

Correlation between methylation of the E-Cadherin gene and malignancy of prostate cancer

Prostate cancer is a common malignant tumor in males with an unclear pathogenic mechanism. As one epigenetic regulation mechanism, DNA methylation of the whole genome and specific gene(s) plays critical roles in pathogenesis, progression, diagnosis, and treatment of prostate cancer. The E-Cadherin gene is involved in cell metabolism and has been suggested to be related with malignancy of multiple tumors. This study investigated the correlation between E-Cadherin methylation and malignancy of prostate cancer. Gradient concentrations of 5-Aza-CdR (5, 10, and 20 mM) were used to treat the prostate cancer cell line (LNCaP), and mRNA level of E-Cadherin was detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). A total of 82 prostate cancer patients were recruited to detect the methylation status of the promoter region of the E-Cadherin gene by pyrophosphate sequencing. Real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) was employed to determine mRNA levels of E-Cadherin. Methylation and mRNA levels of E-Cadherin were analyzed by the SPSS software. With elevated concentrations of 5-Aza-CdR, mRNA levels of E-Cadherin gradually increased. DNA methylation levels of tumor tissues were significantly elevated with increased Gleason score (P < 0.05) and tumor-node-metastasis stage (P < 0.05) but were not related to age, smoking habits, or alcohol consumption (P > 0.05). DNA methylation level was negatively correlated with mRNA expression of the E-Cadherin gene. Methylation in tumor tissues was significantly higher than that in tumor adjacent tissues (P < 0.05). DNA methylation level of the E-Cadherin gene could be an important predictive index for malignancy of prostate cancer.

Stretchable Binary Fresnel Lens for Focus Tuning

This paper presents a tuneable binary amplitude Fresnel lens produced by wafer-level microfabrication. The Fresnel lens is fabricated by encapsulating lithographically defined vertically aligned carbon nanotube (CNT) bundles inside a polydimethyl-siloxane (PDMS) layer. The composite lens material combines the excellent optical absorption properties of the CNT with the transparency and stretchability of the PDMS. By stretching the elastomeric composite in radial direction, the lens focal length is tuned. Good focusing response is demonstrated and a large focus change (≥24%) was achieved by stretching lenses up to 11.4%.

Thermal characterization of carbon nanotube foam using MEMS microhotplates and thermographic analysis

Thermal material properties play a fundamental role in the thermal management of microelectronic systems. The porous nature of carbon nanotube (CNT) arrays results in a very high surface area to volume ratio, which makes the material attractive for surface driven heat transfer mechanisms. Here, we report on the heat transfer performance of lithographically defined micropins made of carbon nanotube (CNT) nanofoam, directly grown on microhotplates (MHPs). The MHP is used as an in situ characterization platform with controllable hot-spot and integrated temperature sensor. Under natural convection, and equivalent power supplied, we measured a significant reduction in hot-spot temperature when augmenting the MHP surface with CNT micropins. In particular, a strong enhancement of convective and radiative heat transfer towards the surrounding environment is recorded, due to the high aspect ratio and the foam-like morphology of the patterned CNTs. By combining electrical characterizations with high-resolution thermographic microscopy analysis, we quantified the heat losses induced by the integrated CNT nanofoams and we found a unique temperature dependency of the equivalent convective heat transfer coefficient, Hc. The obtained results with the proposed non-destructive characterization method demonstrate that significant improvements can be achieved in microelectronic thermal management and hierarchical structured porous material characterization.

[Experimental study of metabonomics in the diagnosis of allergic rhinitis in mice]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the application of metabonomics in the diagnosis of allergic rhinitis.

METHODS

Eighty male Kunming mice were randomly divided into two groups, control group (30 mice) and allergic rhinitis (AR) group (50 mice). After modeling, removal behavior score more than 6 and retain 30 mice behavior score equal to 6.Collect the mice peripheral blood and preparate blood serum, using UPLC-MS chromatographic separation and detection. The data were pretreated by SPSS and Excel, after chromatographic peak matching by MZmine. Firstly , delete interference data in accordance with the 80% rule .Then, the investigate data were analyzed by PLS-DA and PCA-X.

RESULTS

Three-dimensional view of the control group (30 mice) and AR group (30 mice) blood serum data was drawn using PCA-X and PLS-DA method. The two groups of samples could be completely separated through views, which showed that there was a significant difference between the two groups of data. There were some differences in the blood metabolites between the control group and AR group .

CONCLUSION

The study showed that it was scientific and feasible to diagnose AR using the metabonomics.

Search for Neutrinoless Double-Beta Decay of (130)Te with CUORE-0

We report the results of a search for neutrinoless double-beta decay in a 9.8 kg yr exposure of (130)Te using a bolometric detector array, CUORE-0. The characteristic detector energy resolution and background level in the region of interest are 5.1±0.3  keV FWHM and 0.058±0.004(stat)±0.002(syst)counts/(keV kg yr), respectively. The median 90% C.L. lower-limit half-life sensitivity of the experiment is 2.9×10(24)  yr and surpasses the sensitivity of previous searches. We find no evidence for neutrinoless double-beta decay of (130)Te and place a Bayesian lower bound on the decay half-life, T(1/2)(0ν)>2.7×10(24)  yr at 90% C.L. Combining CUORE-0 data with the 19.75 kg yr exposure of (130)Te from the Cuoricino experiment we obtain T(1/2)(0ν)>4.0×10(24)  yr at 90% C.L. (Bayesian), the most stringent limit to date on this half-life. Using a range of nuclear matrix element estimates we interpret this as a limit on the effective Majorana neutrino mass, m(ββ)<270-760  meV.

Degradation modeling of mid-power white-light LEDs by using Wiener process

The IES standard TM-21-11 provides a guideline for lifetime prediction of LED devices. As it uses average normalized lumen maintenance data and performs non-linear regression for lifetime modeling, it cannot capture dynamic and random variation of the degradation process of LED devices. In addition, this method cannot capture the failure distribution, although it is much more relevant in reliability analysis. Furthermore, the TM-21-11 only considers lumen maintenance for lifetime prediction. Color shift, as another important performance characteristic of LED devices, may also render significant degradation during service life, even though the lumen maintenance has not reached the critical threshold. In this study, a modified Wiener process has been employed for the modeling of the degradation of LED devices. By using this method, dynamic and random variations, as well as the non-linear degradation behavior of LED devices, can be easily accounted for. With a mild assumption, the parameter estimation accuracy has been improved by including more information into the likelihood function while neglecting the dependency between the random variables. As a consequence, the mean time to failure (MTTF) has been obtained and shows comparable result with IES TM-21-11 predictions, indicating the feasibility of the proposed method. Finally, the cumulative failure distribution was presented corresponding to different combinations of lumen maintenance and color shift. The results demonstrate that a joint failure distribution of LED devices could be modeled by simply considering their lumen maintenance and color shift as two independent variables.

Combined sewer overflow control with LID based on SWMM: an example in Shanghai, China

Although low impact development (LID) has been commonly applied across the developed countries for mitigating the negative impacts of combined sewer overflows (CSOs) on urban hydrological environment, it has not been widely used in developing countries yet. In this paper, a typical combined sewer system in an urbanized area of Shanghai, China was used to demonstrate how to design and choose CSO control solutions with LID using stormwater management model. We constructed and simulated three types of CSO control scenarios. Our findings support the notion that LID measures possess favorable capability on CSO reduction. Nevertheless, the green scenarios which are completely comprised by LID measures fail to achieve the maximal effectiveness on CSO reduction, while the gray-green scenarios (LID measure combined with gray measures) achieve it. The unit cost-effectiveness of each type of scenario sorts as: green scenario > gray-green scenario > gray scenario. Actually, as the storage tank is built in the case catchment, a complete application of green scenario is inaccessible here. Through comprehensive evaluation and comparison, the gray-green scenario F which used the combination of storage tank, bio-retention and rain barrels is considered as the most feasible one in this case.

Carbon dioxide enrichment alleviates heat stress by improving cellular redox homeostasis through an ABA-independent process in tomato plants

Plant responses to elevated CO₂ and high temperature are critically regulated through a complex network of phytohormones and redox homeostasis. However, the involvement of abscisic acid (ABA) in plant adaptation to heat stress under elevated CO₂ conditions has not been thoroughly studied. This study investigated the interactive effects of elevated CO₂ (800 μmol·mol(-1) ) and heat stress (42 °C for 24 h) on the endogenous level of ABA and the cellular redox state of two genotypes of tomato with different ABA biosynthesis capacities. Heat stress significantly decreased maximum photochemical efficiency of PSII (Fv/Fm) and leaf water potential, but also increased levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and electrolyte leakage (EL) in both genotypes. Heat-induced damage was more severe in the ABA-deficient mutant notabilis (not) than in its parental cultivar Ailsa Craig (Ailsa), suggesting that a certain level of endogenous ABA is required to minimise the heat-induced oxidative damage to the photosynthetic apparatus. Irrespective of genotype, the enrichment of CO₂ remarkably stimulated Fv/Fm, MDA and EL in heat-stressed plants towards enhanced tolerance. In addition, elevated CO₂ significantly strengthened the antioxidant capacity of heat-stressed tomato seedlings towards a reduced cellular redox state for a prolonged period, thereby mitigating oxidative stress. However, elevated CO₂ and heat stress did not alter the endogenous level of ABA or the expression of its biosynthetic gene NCED2 in either genotype, indicating that ABA is not involved in elevated CO₂ -induced heat stress alleviation. The results of this study suggest that elevated CO₂ alleviated heat stress through efficient regulation of the cellular redox poise in an ABA-independent manner in tomato plants.

Giant dipole resonance as a fingerprint of α clustering configurations in 12C and 16O

It is studied how the α cluster degrees of freedom, such as α clustering configurations close to the α decay threshold in (12)C and (16)O, including the linear chain, triangle, square, kite, and tetrahedron, affect nuclear collective vibrations with a microscopic dynamical approach, which can describe properties of nuclear ground states well across the nuclide chart and reproduce the standard giant dipole resonance (GDR) of (16)O quite nicely. It is found that the GDR spectrum is highly fragmented into several apparent peaks due to the α structure. The different α cluster configurations in (12)C and (16)O have corresponding characteristic spectra of GDR. The number and centroid energies of peaks in the GDR spectra can be reasonably explained by the geometrical and dynamical symmetries of α clustering configurations. Therefore, the GDR can be regarded as a very effective probe to diagnose the different α cluster configurations in light nuclei.

Significant postictal hypotension: expanding the spectrum of seizure-induced autonomic dysregulation

Periictal autonomic dysregulation is best studied using a "polygraphic" approach: electroencephalography ([EEG]), 3-channel electrocardiography [ECG], pulse oximetry, respiration, and continuous noninvasive blood pressure [BP]), which may help elucidate agonal pathophysiologic mechanisms leading to sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP). A number of autonomic phenomena have been described in generalized tonic-clonic seizures (GTCS), the most common seizure type associated with SUDEP, including decreased heart rate variability, cardiac arrhythmias, and changes in skin conductance. Postictal generalized EEG suppression (PGES) has been identified as a potential risk marker of SUDEP, and PGES has been found to correlate with post-GTCS autonomic dysregulation in some patients. Herein, we describe a patient with a GTCS in whom polygraphic measurements were obtained, including continuous noninvasive blood pressure recordings. Significant postictal hypotension lasting >60 s was found, which closely correlated with PGES duration. Similar EEG changes are well described in hypotensive patients with vasovagal syncope and a similar vasodepressor phenomenon, and consequent cerebral hypoperfusion may account for the PGES observed in some patients after a GTCS. This further raises the possibility that profound, prolonged, and irrecoverable hypotension may comprise one potential SUDEP mechanism.

Comparative genome-wide gene expression analysis of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis

Both rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA) are complex diseases. Studies and treatment of RA and OA have mainly focused on individual factors. However, there is still no clear understanding of their causes and adequate treatment alternatives are still being sought. We applied gene set-enrichment analysis to microarray datasets of RA and OA to look for regulatory mechanisms. We found 32 highly significant pathways, including 18 downregulated and 14 upregulated pathways associated with RA. We also identified 18 highly significant pathways, including 7 downregulated and 11 up-regulated pathways associated with OA. Several such pathways were found in both RA and OA, including an upregulated PPAR signaling pathway and downregulated leukocyte transendothelial migration. Regulatory mechanisms in RA seem to be more complex than in OA. This information could be useful for diagnosis and treatment of these two diseases.