Treatment of comminuted fractures of the base of the thumb metacarpal using a cemented bone-K-wire frame

We aimed to describe the treatment of comminuted fractures of the base of the thumb metacarpal using a cemented bone-K-wire frame. Between March 2010 and January 2016, 41 fractures of the base of the thumb were treated using a cemented bone-K-wire frame. The mean age of the patients was 34 years. The patients' history included a fall onto the hand in 7 cases, direct trauma in 31 cases, and polytrauma with an unclear mechanism of injury in 3 cases. At the final follow-up, hand grip and pinch strength were measured using a dynamometer. All measurements were compared with those of the opposite hand. The patients were assessed functionally using the Smith and Cooney score.All K-wires were left in place until the bone healed. Bone healing was achieved in all thumbs in an average of 5.2 weeks. Follow-up averaged 27 months. The mean hand pinch and grip strength was 8.7 kg ± 2.4 kg and 38.4 kg ± 5.9 kg, respectively. The mean measurements on the opposite side were 9.2 kg ± 2.5 kg and 40.2 kg ± 6.6 kg, respectively. Based on the Smith and Cooney score, we obtained an average score of 87 ± 9.3, with 25 excellent, 9 good, and 2 fair results. The cemented bone-K-wire frame is an external fixator alternative that can be used for treating comminuted intra-articular fractures of the base of the thumb metacarpal. The system is cheap, easy to apply, and provides rigid fixation, resulting in good functional recovery.

Probiotic Bacillus enhance the intestinal epithelial cell barrier and immune function of piglets

Bacillus is widely used in the livestock industry. This study was designed to evaluate the effects of probiotic Bacillus amyloliquefaciens SC06 (Ba), originally isolated from soil, in piglets diet as an alternative to antibiotics (aureomycin), mainly on intestinal epithelial barrier and immune function. Ninety piglets were divided into three groups: G1 (containing 150 mg/kg aureomycin in the diet); G2 (containing 75 mg/kg aureomycin and 1×108 cfu/kg Ba in the diet); G3 (containing 2×108 cfu/kg Ba in the diet without any antibiotics). The results showed that, compared with the antibiotic group (G1), villus length, crypt depth and villus length/crypt depth ratio of intestine significantly increased in the G2 and G3 groups. In addition, intestinal villi morphology, goblet-cell number, mitochondria structure and tight junction proteins of intestinal epithelial cells in G2 and G3 were better than in G1. The relative gene expression of intestinal mucosal defensin-1, claudin3, claudin4, and human mucin-1 in G3 was significantly lower, while the expression of villin was significantly higher than in the antibiotic group. Probiotic Ba could significantly decrease serum interferon (IFN)-α, IFN-γ, interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-4 levels, whereas increase tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α and IL-6 secretion. Ba could also significantly decrease cytokines TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-1β, and IL-4 level in liver, whereas it significantly increased IFN-α. Furthermore, replacing antibiotics with Ba also significantly down-regulated gene expression of TNF and IL-1α in intestinal mucosa, but up-regulated IL-6 and IL-8 transcription. Dietary addition of Ba could significantly reduce the gene expression of nuclear factor kappa beta (NFκB)-p50 and Toll-like receptor (TLR)6, while there was no significant difference for that of myeloid differentiation primary response 88, TNF receptor-associated factor-6, nucleotide-binding oligomerisation domain-containing protein 1, TLR2, TLR4, and TLR9. Taken together, our findings demonstrated that probiotic Ba could increase the intestinal epithelial cell barrier and immune function by improving intestinal mucosa structure, tight junctions and by activating the TLRs signalling pathway.

[Neuroendoscopy assisted microneurosurgery for posterior cranial fossa lesion]

Objective: To study the value of neuroendoscopy assisted microneurosurgery technique in the treatment of posterior cranial fossa lesion. Methods: Clinical data of 36 patients with posterior fossa lesions who accepted neuroendoscopy assisted microneurosurgery (NEAM group) in the department of neurosurgery of the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, from January 2014 to December 2016, were retrospectively enrolled. A total of 113 cases diagnosed with the same lesions and accepted conventional microneurosurgery (non-NEAM group) in the same period were analyzed as control group. The total tumor resection rate, postoperative leakage of cerebrospinal fluid, intracranial infection, operating time and the recovery of facial nerve function were compared between the two groups. Results: Ninety-three patients with acoustic neuroma were analyzed, which were divided into non-NEAM group 78 cases (removed posterior lip of internal auditory canal in different degrees) and NEAM group 15 cases (not removed posterior lip of internal auditory canal). The total tumor resection rate and postoperative facial nerve function had no significant statistical differences between two groups. The operating time of NEAM group was longer than that of non-NEAM group (P=0.048, P<0.05), but the rate of leakage of cerebrospinal fluid and intracranial infection did not increase. Twenty-seven cases were diagnosed with cerebellopontine angle cholesteatoma. These cases were divided into two groups, 17 cases in non-NEAM group and 10 cases in NEAM group. NEAM group have higher total tumor resection rate (P=0.014, P<0.05), better short-term postoperative facial nerve function (P=0.039, P<0.05), and longer operating time (P=0.015, P<0.05), compared with non-NEAM group. No significant statistical differences were observed on long-term postoperative facial nerve function and postoperative complications. Of the 16 cases diagnosed tentorial meningioma, 10 cases were in non-NEAM group and 6 cases in NEAM group. Six cases in non-NEAM group and 4 cases in NEAM group were total removal. For the mean operating time, non-NEAM group was (6.6±1.0) hours and NEAM group was (7.1±0.7) hours. Thirteen cases were with fourth ventricular cholesteatoma, which all were totally resected, and 8 cases were in non-NEAM group and 5 cases in NEAM group. For non-NEAM group, 5 cases dissected cerebellar vermis and the mean operating time is (6.0±0.7) hours. However, NEAM group all did not dissect cerebellar vermis and the mean operating time is (6.4±0.4) hours. Conclusions: Neuroendoscopy assisted microneurosurgery for cranial fossa lesions was benefit to totally resect tumor and reduce unnecessary injury. It needed longer operating time, but not increase postoperative intracranial infection.

[Dynamic retraction microneurosurgery for the treatment of medial tentorial meningiomas]

Objective: To investigate the effectiveness and clinical significance of dynamic retraction microneurosurgery for the treatment of medial tentorial meningiomas. Methods: From January 2011 to December 2016, a cohort of 28 patients with medial tentorial meningiomas were treated by microneurosurgery at the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University. Patients who treated intraoperatively with dynamic retraction surgery from January 2014 to December 2016 were assigned into dynamic retraction group, and those with fixed retractors intraoperatively from January 2011 to December 2013 were assigned into retractor group. The surgical approaches tailored in our patients were based on predominant direction of tumor extension. The extent of tumor resection was scored according to the Simpson's classification scale. Comparisons of tumor size, operation time, hospitalization time, retraction-related injury, tumor Simpson resection grade and Karnofsky Performance Scale(KPS) score six months after surgery were also made between two groups. Results: A total of 12 patients(retractor group) were treated with the use of self-retaining brain retractors intraoperatively and dynamic retraction surgical procedure was performed intraoperatively in 16 patients(dynamic retraction group). The difference between two groups with regard to sex, age, tumor size, operation time and tumor Simpson resection grade was not statistically significant(all P>0.05). The mean duration of hospital time was shorter in the dynamic retraction group than that in the retractor group(18.3 d±1.8 d vs 20.2 d±1.3 d, P=0.004). The dynamic retraction group had lower incidence of retraction-related injury compared with the retractor group(1/16 vs 6/12), P=0.022]. The dynamic retraction group had better neurological recovery rate with KPS >80 evaluated six months after surgery compared with the retractor group(14/16 vs 5/12, P=0.017). Conclusions: Dynamic retraction microneurosurgery for the treatment of medial tentorial meningiomas is feasible, which can obviate or reduce the amount of brain retraction needed, and may be of help in lowering the risk of postoperative neurological deficits and complications and leading to reduced hospitalization cost and improved surgical outcomes.

[Experts consensus on the management of the right heart function in critically ill patients]

To establish the experts consensus on the right heart function management in critically ill patients. The panel of consensus was composed of 30 experts in critical care medicine who are all members of Critical Hemodynamic Therapy Collaboration Group (CHTC Group). Each statement was assessed based on the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation) principle. Then the Delphi method was adopted by 52 experts to reassess all the statements. (1) Right heart function is prone to be affected in critically illness, which will result in a auto-exaggerated vicious cycle. (2) Right heart function management is a key step of the hemodynamic therapy in critically ill patients. (3) Fluid resuscitation means the process of fluid therapy through rapid adjustment of intravascular volume aiming to improve tissue perfusion. Reversed fluid resuscitation means reducing volume. (4) The right ventricle afterload should be taken into consideration when using stroke volume variation (SVV) or pulse pressure variation (PPV) to assess fluid responsiveness.(5)Volume overload alone could lead to septal displacement and damage the diastolic function of the left ventricle. (6) The Starling curve of the right ventricle is not the same as the one applied to the left ventricle,the judgement of the different states for the right ventricle is the key of volume management. (7) The alteration of right heart function has its own characteristics, volume assessment and adjustment is an important part of the treatment of right ventricular dysfunction (8) Right ventricular enlargement is the prerequisite for increased cardiac output during reversed fluid resuscitation; Nonetheless, right heart enlargement does not mandate reversed fluid resuscitation.(9)Increased pulmonary vascular resistance induced by a variety of factors could affect right heart function by obstructing the blood flow. (10) When pulmonary hypertension was detected in clinical scenario, the differentiation of critical care-related pulmonary hypertension should be a priority. (11) Attention should be paid to the change of right heart function before and after implementation of mechanical ventilation and adjustment of ventilator parameter. (12) The pulmonary arterial pressure should be monitored timingly when dealing with critical care-related pulmonary hypertension accompanied with circulatory failure.(13) The elevation of pulmonary aterial pressure should be taken into account in critical patients with acute right heart dysfunction. (14) Prone position ventilation is an important measure to reduce pulmonary vascular resistance when treating acute respiratory distress syndrome patients accompanied with acute cor pulmonale. (15) Attention should be paid to right ventricle-pulmonary artery coupling during the management of right heart function. (16) Right ventricular diastolic function is more prone to be affected in critically ill patients, the application of critical ultrasound is more conducive to quantitative assessment of right ventricular diastolic function. (17) As one of the parameters to assess the filling pressure of right heart, central venous pressure can be used to assess right heart diastolic function. (18). The early and prominent manifestation of non-focal cardiac tamponade is right ventricular diastolic involvement, the elevated right atrial pressure should be noticed. (19) The effect of increased intrathoracic pressure on right heart diastolic function should be valued. (20) Ttricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) is an important parameter that reflects right ventricular systolic function, and it is recommended as a general indicator of critically ill patient. (21) Circulation management with right heart protection as the core strategy is the key point of the treatment of acute respiratory distress syndrome. (22) Right heart function involvement after cardiac surgery is very common and should be highly valued. (23) Right ventricular dysfunction should not be considered as a routine excuse for maintaining higher central venous pressure. (24) When left ventricular dilation, attention should be paid to the effect of left ventricle on right ventricular diastolic function. (25) The impact of left ventricular function should be excluded when the contractility of the right ventricle is decreased. (26) When the right heart load increases acutely, the shunt between the left and right heart should be monitored. (27) Attention should be paid to the increase of central venous pressure caused by right ventricular dysfunction and its influence on microcirculation blood flow. (28) When the vasoactive drugs was used to reduce the pressure of pulmonary circulation, different effects on pulmonary and systemic circulation should be evaluated. (29) Right atrial pressure is an important factor affecting venous return. Attention should be paid to the influence of the pressure composition of the right atrium on the venous return. (30) Attention should be paid to the role of the right ventricle in the acute pulmonary edema. (31) Monitoring the difference between the mean systemic filling pressure and the right atrial pressure is helpful to determine whether the infusion increases the venous return. (32) Venous return resistance is often considered to be a insignificant factor that affects venous return, but attention should be paid to the effect of the specific pathophysiological status, such as intrathoracic hypertension, intra-abdominal hypertension and so on. Consensus can promote right heart function management in critically ill patients, optimize hemodynamic therapy, and even affect prognosis.

Correction to: Role of intestinal microbiome in American ginseng-mediated colon cancer prevention in high fat diet-fed AOM/DSS mice

This article was originally published with the wrong title.

Bivalent Histone Codes on WNT5A during Odontogenic Differentiation

Lineage-committed differentiation is an essential biological program during odontogenesis, which is tightly regulated by lineage-specific genes. Some of these genes are modified by colocalization of H3K4me3 and H3K27me3 marks at promoter regions in progenitors. These modifications, named "bivalent domains," maintain genes in a poised state and then resolve for later activation or repression during differentiation. Wnt5a has been reported to promote odontogenic differentiation in dental mesenchyme. However, relatively little is known about the epigenetic modulations on Wnt5a activation during tooth development. Here, we investigated the spatiotemporal patterns of H3K4me3 and H3K27me3 marks in developing mouse molars. Associated H3K4me3 methylases (mixed-lineage leukemia [MLL] complex) and H3K27me3 demethylases (JMJD3 and UTX) were dynamically expressed between early and late bell stage of human tooth germs and in cultured human dental papilla cells (hDPCs) during odontogenic induction. Poised WNT5A gene was marked by bivalent domains containing repressive marks (H3K27me3) and active marks (H3K4me3) on promoters. The bivalent domains tended to resolve during inducted differentiation, with removal of the H3K27me3 mark in a JMJD3-dependent manner. When JMJD3 was knocked down in cultured hDPCs, odontogenic differentiation was suppressed. The depletion of JMJD3 epigenetically repressed WNT5A activation by increased H3K27me3 marks. In addition, JMJD3 could physically interact with ASH2L, a component of the MLL complex, to form a coactivator complex, cooperatively modulating H3K4me3 marks on WNT5A promoters. Overall, our study reveals that transcription activities of WNT5A were epigenetically regulated by the negotiated balance between H3K27me3 and H3K4me3 marks and tightly mediated by JMJD3 and MLL coactivator complex, ultimately modulating odontogenic commitment during dental mesenchymal cell differentiation.

Visualization Recording and Storage of Pressure Distribution through a Smart Matrix Based on the Piezotronic Effect

Pressure sensors that can both directly visualize and record applied pressure/stress are essential for e-skin and medical/health monitoring. Here, using a WO₃ -film electrochromic device (ECD) array (10 × 10 pixels) and a ZnO-nanowire-matrix pressure sensor (ZPS), a pressure visualization and recording (PVR) system with a spatial resolution of 500 µm is developed. The distribution of external pressures can be recorded through the piezotronic effect from the ZPS and directly expressed by color changes in the ECD. Applying a local pressure can generate piezoelectric polarization charges at the two ends of the ZnO nanowires, which leads to the tuning of the current to be transported through the system and thus the color of the WO₃ film. The coloration and bleaching process in the ECD component show good cyclic stability, and over 85% of the color contrast is maintained after 300 cycles. In this PVR system, the applied pressure can be recorded without the assistance of a computer because of the color memory effect of the WO₃ material. Such systems are promising for applications in human-electronic interfaces, military applications, and smart robots.

Unique growth paths of heterospecific pollen tubes result in late entry into ovules in the gynoecium of Sagittaria (Alismataceae)

Pollen-pistil interactions are a fundamental process in the reproductive biology of angiosperms and play a particularly important role in maintaining incipient species that exist in sympatry. However, the majority of previous studies have focused on species with syncarpous gynoecia (fused carpels) and not those with apocarpous gynoecia (unfused carpels). In the present study, we investigated the growth of conspecific pollen tubes compared to heterospecific pollen tubes in Sagittaria species, which have apocarpous gynoecia. We conducted controlled pollinations between S. pygmaea and S. trifolia and observed the growth of conspecific and heterospecific pollen tubes under a fluorescence microscope. Heterospecific and conspecific pollen tubes arrived at locules within the ovaries near simultaneously. However, conspecific pollen tubes entered into the ovules directly, whereas heterospecific tubes passed through the carpel base and adjacent receptacle tissue, to ultimately fertilize other unfertilized ovules. This longer route taken by heterospecific pollen tubes therefore caused a delay in the time required to enter into the ovules. Furthermore, heterospecific pollen tubes displayed similar growth patterns at early and peak pollination. The growth pattern of heterospecific pollen tubes at late pollination was similar to that of conspecific pollen tubes at peak pollination. Heterospecific and conspecific pollen tubes took different routes to fertilize ovules. A delayed entry of heterospecific pollen into ovules may be a novel mechanism of conspecific pollen advantage (CPA) for apocarpous species.

DYNAMIC CHANGES OF TRAb AND TPOAb AFTER RADIOIODINE THERAPY IN GRAVES' DISEASE

Context

To analyze the dynamic changes of serum thyrotrophin receptor antibody (TRAb) and thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb) in Graves' disease (GD) patients before and after radioactive iodine (RAI) treatment and to investigate if TRAb and TPOAb play a role in the occurrence of early hypothyroidism after ¹³¹I therapy for Graves' hyperthyroidism.

Subjects and Methods

A total of 240 patients newly diagnosed with GD were selected to study. A clinical and laboratory assessment was performed before and at 3, 6, and 12 months after ¹³¹I therapy. Chemiluminescent immunoassays were used to detect serum free triiodothyronine (FT3), free thyroxine (FT4), sensitive thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and TPOAb concentration. Radio-receptor assay was used to measure serum TRAb concentration. According to the early onset of hypothyroidism in a year after RAI therapy, patients were divided into early hypothyroidism group (group A) and non-early hypothyroidism group (group B).

Results

In both groups, serum TRAb and TPOAb increased at 3 months, reached the highest level at 6 months and returned to the baseline at 12 months after RAI therapy. TRAb showed a significant difference between the two groups at 6 months (P<0.01). Serum TPOAb in group A was higher than that in group B before and at 3, 6, 12 months after RAI therapy (P<0.05).

Conclusions

Serum TRAb and TPOAb are closely related to the occurrence of the early hypothyroidism, and play an important role in judging prognosis after ¹³¹I treatment in Graves' disease.

Household air pollution and personal exposure to nitrated and oxygenated polycyclic aromatics (PAHs) in rural households: Influence of household cooking energies

Residential solid fuels are widely consumed in rural China, contributing to severe household air pollution for many products of incomplete combustion, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and their polar derivatives. In this study, concentrations of nitrated and oxygenated PAH derivatives (nPAHs and oPAHs) for household and personal air were measured and analyzed for influencing factors like smoking and cooking energy type. Concentrations of nPAHs and oPAHs in kitchens were higher than those in living rooms and in outdoor air. Exposure levels measured by personal samplers were lower than levels in indoor air, but higher than outdoor air levels. With increasing molecular weight, individual compounds tended to be more commonly partitioned to particulate matter (PM); moreover, higher molecular weight nPAHs and oPAHs were preferentially found in finer particles, suggesting a potential for increased health risks. Smoking behavior raised the concentrations of nPAHs and oPAHs in personal air significantly. People who cooked food also had higher personal exposures. Cooking and smoking have a significant interaction effect on personal exposure. Concentrations in kitchens and personal exposure to nPAHs and oPAHs for households using wood and peat were significantly higher than for those using electricity and liquid petroleum gas (LPG).

MicroRNA-26a-interleukin (IL)-6-IL-17 axis regulates the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in a murine model

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a hepatic presentation of obesity and metabolic syndrome. MicroRNA 26a (Mir-26a) has been reported to play functions in cellular differentiation, cell growth, cell apoptosis and metastasis. A recent paper indicated that Mir-26a regulated insulin sensitivity and metabolism of glucose and lipids. However, the role of Mir-26a in NAFLD still needs to be investigated further. In our current study, vectors encoding pre-Mir-26a (LV-26a) and an empty lentiviral vector (LV-Con) delivered approximately 2 × 10⁷ transforming units of recombinant lentivirus were injected into mice through the tail vein. LV-26a-infected mice were protected from glucose dysmetabolism and showed markedly decreased total liver weight, hepatic triglyceride deposition and serum alanine transaminase (ALT) concentration when compared with LV-Con-treated mice. LV-26a-treated mice also exhibited decreased infiltration of immune cells in the liver - something attributed to reduce infiltration of T cell receptor (TCR)-γδ⁺ , granulocyte-differentiation antigen-1 (Gr-1)⁺ cells and CD11b⁺ cells. Next, we found that Mir-26a inhibited the expression of interleukin (IL)-17 and IL-6 in vivo and in vitro. Furthermore, the decreased expression of IL-17 in the liver tissue induced by Mir-26a was abrogated completely by IL-6 overexpression. The decreased total liver weight, hepatic triglyceride deposition and serum ALT concentration induced by Mir-26a was also abrogated completely by IL-6 over-expression. In conclusion, the Mir-26a-IL-6-IL-17 axis regulates the development of NAFLD in a murine model.

Comparison of minocycline and azithromycin for the treatment of mild scrub typhus in northern China

Scrub typhus, caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi, has recently emerged in northern China where the disease had not been known to exist. Although doxycycline and azithromycin are the recommended agents for the treatment of scrub typhus, clinical responses depend both on the susceptibilities of various O. tsutsugamushi strains and the severity of the disease. A retrospective analysis was conducted on patients diagnosed with mild scrub typhus from August 2013 to January 2016 in the Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, northern China. A total of 40 patients who received minocycline treatment and 34 patients who received azithromycin treatment were included in the analysis. All patients except one defervesced within 120 h after initiating antimicrobial therapy. Kaplan-Meier curves in association with log-rank test showed that the median time to defervescence was significantly shorter for the minocycline-treated group than the azithromycin-treated group (P = 0.003). There were no serious adverse events during treatment. No relapse occurred in either group during the 1-month follow-up period. In conclusion, both minocycline and azithromycin are effective and safe for the treatment of mild scrub typhus, but minocycline is more active than azithromycin against O. tsutsugamushi infection acquired in northern China.

Effect of MSTN propeptide protein on the growth and development of Altay lamb muscle

Prokaryotic expression technology was used to express maltose-binding protein binding myostatin (MSTN) propeptide fusion protein. Six disease-free Altay lambs were used in this study. The right leg gastrocnemii were injected with MSTN recombinant propeptide protein. The left leg gastrocnemii (the control group) were injected with the same dose of phosphate based saline. The lambs were fed during four months under the same conditions and then slaughtered. Gastrocnemius samples were hematoxylin-eosin stained and the size of the muscle fibers was measured. A real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) showed that single gastrocnemius cells in the experimental group had an average area of 1163.01 µm(2), while it was 845.09 µm(2) in the control group (P < 0.05). This indicates that the MSTN propeptide biological agents had an inhibitory effect on MSTN. In order to reveal its mechanism, RT-PCR was conducted to detect the expression of the differentiation-associated genes MyoD, Myf5, Myogenin, p21, and Smad3. The results showed that, in the MSTN propeptide biological agent injected group, expression levels of MSTN, Smad3, and p21 were lower than the control group, while Myf5, MyoD, and Myogenin were higher compared to the control group. This indicates that, when expression of the MSTN gene was inhibited, muscle cell differentiation and growth can be promoted by Smad3 up-regulated expression of Myf5, MyoD, and Myogenin.

Sequence analysis of peste des petits ruminants virus from ibexes in Xinjiang, China

Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) is an infectious disease caused by peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV). While PPR mainly affects domestic goats and sheep, it also affects wild ungulates such as ibex, blue sheep, and gazelle, although there are few reports regarding PPRV infection in wild animals. Between January 2015 and February 2015, it was found for the first time that wild ibexes died from PPRV infection in Bazhou, Xinjiang, China, where a total of 38 ibexes (including young and adult ibexes) were found to have died abnormally from PPR-related issues. First, we tested for the presence of the F gene of PPRV by RT-PCR. Then, we compared the sequence of the isolated F gene from the ibex strain, termed PPRV Xinjiang/Ibex/2015, with those previously identified from small domestic ruminants from local areas near where the reported isolate was collected as well as those from other regions. The current sequence was phylogenetically classified as a lineage IV virus, and shared a high level of sequence identity (99.7%) with a previously described Xinjiang PPRV isolate.

Beyond neurovascular coupling, role of astrocytes in the regulation of vascular tone

The brain possesses two intricate mechanisms that fulfill its continuous metabolic needs: cerebral autoregulation, which ensures constant cerebral blood flow over a wide range of arterial pressures and functional hyperemia, which ensures rapid delivery of oxygen and glucose to active neurons. Over the past decade, a number of important studies have identified astrocytes as key intermediaries in neurovascular coupling (NVC), the mechanism by which active neurons signal blood vessels to change their diameter. Activity-dependent increases in astrocytic Ca(2+) activity are thought to contribute to the release of vasoactive substances that facilitate arteriole vasodilation. A number of vasoactive signals have been identified and their role on vessel caliber assessed both in vitro and in vivo. In this review, we discuss mechanisms implicating astrocytes in NVC-mediated vascular responses, limitations encountered as a result of the challenges in maintaining all the constituents of the neurovascular unit intact and deliberate current controversial findings disputing a main role for astrocytes in NVC. Finally, we briefly discuss the potential role of pericytes and microglia in NVC-mediated processes.

Self-Powered High-Resolution and Pressure-Sensitive Triboelectric Sensor Matrix for Real-Time Tactile Mapping

A triboelectric sensor matrix (TESM) can accurately track and map 2D tactile sensing. A self-powered, high-resolution, pressure-sensitive, flexible and durable TESM with 16 × 16 pixels is fabricated for the fast detection of single-point and multi-point touching. Using cross-locating technology, a cross-type TESM with 32 × 20 pixels is developed for more rapid tactile mapping, which significantly reduces the addressing lines from m × n to m + n.

Intestinal microbiota and oral administration of Enterococcus faecium associated with the growth performance of new-born piglets

The oral administration of Enterococcus faecium EF1 to new-born suckling and weaning piglets along with their growth performances and intestinal microbiota was investigated in this study. Twenty-four new-born piglets were initially divided into 2 groups. The probiotics group received 2 ml of 10% sterilised skimmed milk by oral gavage supplemented with 6×10(8) cfu/ml viable E. faecium EF1 at the first, the third and the fifth day after birth, while the control group received 2 ml of 10% sterilised skimmed milk without probiotics at the same time. Results showed that oral administration of E. faecium EF1 was associated with a remarkable increase on the body weight of piglets for both suckling and weaning periods, by 30.73% (P<0.01) and 320.84% (P<0.01), and also decreased the diarrhoea rate, by 43.21% (P<0.05) and 71.42% (P<0.05), respectively. In addition, 454-pyrosequencing analysis revealed that there was no significant difference in the intestinal microbial diversity of the suckling piglets between the two groups; nevertheless, when compared to the control group, the relative abundance of Firmicutes in the probiotics group was substantially augmented, while the relative abundance of Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes and Fusobacteria diminished. However, results indicated that oral administration of E. faecium EF1 did not have any influence on the relative abundance of Firmicutes in weaning piglets rather than increasing the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes and decreasing the relative abundance of Proteobacteria. Furthermore, at the level of the Firmicutes phylum, the relative abundance of Lactobacillales in the probiotic group increased significantly. These findings suggest that oral administration of E. faecium EF1 to new-born piglets could improve the growth performance and intestinal microbiota of piglets for both suckling and weaning periods.

Mechanism of SEMA3B gene silencing and clinical significance in glioma

The aim of the current study was to explore mechanisms of SEMA3B gene expression and its clinical significance in glioma, and provide a theoretical foundation for investigating individualized treatment in glioma. Paraffin-embedded tissues from 43 patients with a confirmed clinical diagnosis of glioma following neurosurgery at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from December 2013 to April 2014 were selected randomly. An additional three normal brain tissues were obtained following encephalic decompression excision due to acute craniocerebral injury in the same period, which were used as the control group. Immunohistochemical staining for vascular endothelial growth factor was performed on the glioma tissues from the 43 patients. Genomic DNA was extracted for bisulfate conversion and sequencing. SEMA3B was fully expressed in the three normal brain tissues, and incompletely expressed in the 43 glioma tissues, with a lack of expression in 48.8% (21/43) of samples. Moreover, 58% of high-grade gliomas (grade III and IV) lacked SEMA3B expression, which was significantly more than those that lacked expression (20%) in low-grade gliomas (grade I and II), indicating that, as the clinical pathological grade increased, SEMA3B expression decreased. The occurrence and development of malignant tumors is a product of multiple genes and other factors. Here, we provide theoretical basis for glioma development and prognosis involving DNA-methylation driven silencing of SEMA3B, and thus, SEMA3B is a potential target for directed treatments against glioma.

Expression of recombinant myostatin propeptide pPIC9K-Msp plasmid in Pichia pastoris

Myostatin propeptide can inhibit the biological activity of myostatin protein and promote muscle growth. To express myostatin propeptide in vitro with a higher biological activity, we performed codon optimization on the sheep myostatin propeptide gene sequence, and mutated aspartic acid-76 to alanine based on the codon usage bias of Pichia pastoris and the enhanced biological activity of myostatin propeptide mutant. Modified myostatin propeptide gene was cloned into the pPIC9K plasmid to form the recombinant plasmid pPIC9K-Msp. Recombinant plasmid pPIC9K-Msp was transformed into Pichia pastoris GS115 by electrotransformation. Transformed cells were screened, and methanol was used to induce expression. SDS-PAGE and western blotting were used to verify the successful expression of myostatin propeptide with biological activity in Pichia pastoris, providing the basis for characterization of this protein.

Piezo-Phototronic Enhanced UV Sensing Based on a Nanowire Photodetector Array

A large array of Schottky UV photodetectors (PDs) based on vertical aligned ZnO nanowires is achieved. By introducing the piezo-phototronic effect, the performance of the PD array is enhanced up to seven times in photoreponsivity, six times in sensitivity, and 2.8 times in detection limit. The UV PD array may have applications in optoelectronic systems, adaptive optical computing, and communication.

Optimal culture conditions for keratinase production by a novel thermophilic Myceliophthora thermophila strain GZUIFR-H49-1

AIMS

  To investigate the effect of medium compositions and culture conditions on keratinase production by a novel thermophilic fungus Myceliophthora thermophila (Apinis) Oorschot strain GZUIFR-H49-1.

METHODS AND RESULTS

  The thermophilic strain GZUIFR-H49-1 with keratinolytic ability was characterized and identified as a strain of M. thermophila on the basis of its morphological characters and molecular analysis of ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 rDNA sequence. Among the medium compositions tested, the soluble starch (SS), urea, sodium thiosulfate and CaCl2 were the most effective C-source, N-source, S-source and mineral ion, respectively, by employing the single-factor experiment. The urea and pH value were the significant factors (P < 0·05) for the keratinase production in this experiment condition using Plackett–Burman factorial design. The conditions of keratinase production were further optimized by Box–Behnken design. Consequently, there was a 6·4-fold increase (5100 U l−1) in the keratinase activity than the initial value (800 U l−1) by this optimal process.

CONCLUSIONS

  This study indicated that the optimization design proved a useful and powerful tool for the development of optimal medium compositions and culture conditions. Myceliophthora thermophila strain GZUIFR-H49-1 was a promising fungus strain for keratinase production.

Can the study of self-assembly in solution lead to a good model for the nucleation pathway? The case of tolfenamic acid

To further our understanding of the role of solution chemistry in directing nucleation processes new experimental and computational data are presented on the solution and crystallisation chemistry of tolfenamic acid (TA), a benchmark polymorphic compound.

To further our understanding of the role of solution chemistry in directing nucleation processes new experimental and computational data are presented on the solution and crystallisation chemistry of tolfenamic acid (TA), a benchmark polymorphic compound. With these, and previously published data, we were able to establish that TA is rapidly fluctuating between conformers in solution with either solvated monomers or dimers present depending on the solvent. Hence, despite the fact that conformational polymorphs can be obtained from crystallisations in ethanol, we found no links between solution chemistry and crystallisation outcomes. We discuss the implications of these conclusions for the nature of the nucleation pathway via dimers and clusters and raise experimental questions about how best to undertake relevant crystallisation studies.

Endoscopic surgery combining chemotherapy for vaginal yolk-sac tumor: a case report

PURPOSE OF INVESTIGATION

To report and explore the effectiveness of the endoscopic surgery combining cisplatin, etoposide, and bleomycin (PEB) chemotherapy in treating vaginal yolk-sac tumor.

CASE REPORT

The clinical case of vaginal yolk-sac tumor in a young girl was analyzed. Hysteroscopy equipment was used to inspect and remove the majority of the tumor tissue, followed by six cycles of PEB chemotherapy. Hysteroscopy equipment was used again to exam the vagina and remove of the tumor pedicle for biopsy, which revealed no tumor cells after two cycles of chemotherapy. The patient remained disease free on follow up for a year.

CONCLUSION

The use hysteroscopy equipment to exam vagina can diagnose early vaginal yolk-sac tumor and cytoreductive surgery which can preserve fertility can then be performed. Cytoreductive surgery may also be able to reduce the cycles of the chemotherapy to reduce the side effects and the risks of chemotherapy.

Molecular cytogenetic identification of a novel 1AL.1RS translocation line with powdery mildew resistance

A wheat germplasm line 13-2-2 with resistance to powdery mildew was isolated; this line was derived from common wheat cv. W770B and rye, Secale cereale L. (2n = 2x = 14, RR). The line was characterized based on cytological, genomic in situ hybridization (GISH), sequence-characterized amplified region (SCAR), and simple sequence repeat (SSR) analyses. The mitotic and meiotic investigations showed that the chromosome number and configuration of 13-2-2 were 2n = 42 = 21 II. GISH using rye genomic DNA as a probe detected a pair of R genome chromosome arms with strong hybridization signals in 13-2-2. Three 1RS chromosome-specific SCAR markers amplified 1RS specific bands in line 13-2-2. We screened 320 SSR primer pairs on the long or short arms from seven wheat homoeologous groups in the translocation line and parents. However, only three 1AS primers could not be amplified in line 13-2-2, whereas the others were amplified. Thus, these markers suggested that the line 13-2-2 was 1AL.1RS translocation line. Line 13-2-2 was immune to powdery mildew after inoculation with Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici isolates E05 and E07 during the adult plant stages. In contrast, the maternal parent W770B, Kavkaz with Pm8, and Amigo with Pm17 were heavily infected with spores and had reaction response scores of susceptible. Thus, the new wheat-rye 1AL.1RS translocation line with resistance to powdery mildew could be a new and valuable donor source for wheat improvement. The molecular markers developed in this study might also be useful tools for marker-assisted selection.

Concurrent IMRT and weekly cisplatin followed by GDP chemotherapy in newly diagnosed, stage IE to IIE, nasal, extranodal NK/T-Cell lymphoma

On the basis of the benefits of frontline radiation in early-stage, extranodal natural killer (NK)/T-cell lymphoma (ENKTL), we conducted the trial of concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) followed by three cycles of gemcitabine, dexamethasone and cisplatin (GDP). Thirty-two patients with newly diagnosed, stage IE to IIE, nasal ENKTL received CCRT (that is, all patients received intensity-modulated radiotherapy 56 Gy and cisplatin 30 mg/m² weekly, 3–5 weeks). Three cycles of GDP (gemcitabine 1000 mg/m² intravenously (i.v.) on days 1 and 8, dexamethasone 40 mg orally on days 1–4 and cisplatin 75 mg/m² i.v. on day 1 (GDP), every 21 days as an outpatient were scheduled after CCRT. All patients completed CCRT, which resulted in 100% response that included 24 complete responses (CRs) and eight partial responses. The CR rate after CCRT was 75.0% (that is, 24 of 32 responses). Twenty-eight of the 32 patients completed the planned three cycles of GDP, whereas four patients did not because they withdrew (n=1) or because they had an infection (n=3). The overall response rate and the CR rate were 90.6% (that is, 29 of 32 responses) and 84.4% (that is, 27 of 32 responses), respectively. Only two patient experienced grade 3 toxicity during CCRT (nausea), whereas 13 of the 30 patients experienced grade 4 neutropenia. The estimated 3-year overall survival and progression-free rates were 87.50% and 84.38%, respectively. In conclusion, CCRT followed by GDP chemotherapy can be a feasible and effective treatment strategy for stage IE to IIE nasal ENKTL.

Genomic organization and expression of immunoglobulin genes in the Chinese hamster (Cricetulus griseus)

In science, the hamsters are widely used as a model for studying the human diseases because they display many features like humans. The utility of the Chinese hamster as a biology model can be further enhanced by further characterization of the genes encoding components of the immune system. Here, we report the genomic organization and expression of the Chinese hamster immunoglobulin heavy and light chain genes. The Chinese hamster IgH locus contains 268 VH segments (132 potentially functional genes, 12 ORFs and 124 pseudogenes), 4 DH segments, 6 JH segments, four constant region genes (μ, γ, ε and α) and one reverse δ remnant fragment. The Igκ locus contains only a single Cκ gene, 4 Jκ segments and 48 Vκ segments (15 potentially functional genes and 33 pseudogenes), whereas the Igλ locus contains 4 Cλ genes, but only Cλ 3 and Cλ 4 each preceded by a Jλ gene segment. A total of 49 Vλ segments (39 potentially functional genes, 3 ORFs and 7 pseudogenes) were identified. Analysis of junctions of the recombined V(D)J transcripts reveals complex diversity in both expressed H and κ sequences, but the microhomology-directed VJ recombination obviously results in very limited diversity in the Chinese hamster λ gene despite more potential germline-encoded combinatorial diversity. This is the first study to make a comprehensive analysis of the Ig genes in the Chinese hamster, which provides insights into the Ig genes in placental mammals.

Cancer systems biology: embracing complexity to develop better anticancer therapeutic strategies

The transformation of normal cells into cancer cells and maintenance of the malignant state and phenotypes are associated with genetic and epigenetic deregulations, altered cellular signaling responses and aberrant interactions with the microenvironment. These alterations are constantly evolving as tumor cells face changing selective pressures induced by the cells themselves, the microenvironment and drug treatments. Tumors are also complex ecosystems where different, sometime heterogeneous, subclonal tumor populations and a variety of nontumor cells coexist in a constantly evolving manner. The interactions between molecules and between cells that arise as a result of these alterations and ecosystems are even more complex. The cancer research community is increasingly embracing this complexity and adopting a combination of systems biology methods and integrated analyses to understand and predictively model the activity of cancer cells. Systems biology approaches are helping to understand the mechanisms of tumor progression and design more effective cancer therapies. These approaches work in tandem with rapid technological advancements that enable data acquisition on a broader scale, with finer accuracy, higher dimensionality and higher throughput than ever. Using such data, computational and mathematical models help identify key deregulated functions and processes, establish predictive biomarkers and optimize therapeutic strategies. Moving forward, implementing patient-specific computational and mathematical models of cancer will significantly improve the specificity and efficacy of targeted therapy, and will accelerate the adoption of personalized and precision cancer medicine.

Fatty and lean red meat consumption in China: differential association with Chinese abdominal obesity

AIM

We examined the longitudinal association between red meat (RM) consumption and the risk of abdominal obesity in Chinese adults.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Our data are from 16,822 adults aged 18-75 in the China Health and Nutrition Survey from 1993 to 2011. We assessed RM intake with three 24-h dietary recalls. We defined abdominal obesity as a waist circumference (WC) ≥85 centimeters (cm) for men and ≥80 cm for women. Multilevel mixed-effect regression models showed that men experienced WC increases of 0.74 cm (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.39-1.09) from a higher total intake of fresh RM and 0.59 cm (95% CI: 0.24-0. 95) from a higher intake of fatty fresh RM but 0.14 cm (95% CI: -0.39 to 0.66) from a higher intake of lean fresh RM in the top quartile versus non-consumers when adjusted for potential confounders. In contrast, after additional adjustment for baseline WC, the odds ratios of abdominal obesity in men were attenuated for total fresh RM (1.25 [95% CI: 1.06-1.47]) and fatty fresh RM (1.22 [95% CI: 1.03-1.44]) but were still not affected by lean fresh RM (0.95 [95% CI: 0.75-1.22]). Women also showed a positive association of fatty fresh RM intake with abdominal obesity.

CONCLUSION

Greater intake of fatty fresh RM was significantly associated with higher WC (men only) and abdominal obesity risk in Chinese adults. The gender-specific differential association of fatty versus lean fresh RM warrants further study.

Piezotronic effect on ZnO nanowire film based temperature sensor

In this work, we demonstrated the first study of piezotronic effect as a potential means for measuring temperature by utilizing ZnO nanowire (NW) film. The film was synthesized by the wet chemical deposition method and transferred to a flexible substrate using photoresist. The primary role of piezotronic effect over geometrical and piezoresistive effect in the as-fabricated devices has been confirmed, and piezotronic effect on charge carrier transportation under different strains is subsequently studied. In addition, we also presented that the temperature sensing capability of as-fabricated NW film based piezotronic devices can be tuned by piezopotential, which exhibits dramatically enhanced sensitivity. A theoretical model is proposed to interpret the observed behaviors of the sensor. This study provides an effective method to fabricate temperature sensors with higher performance based on piezotronic effect in the future.