Mesoporous ZnCo2O4/rGO nanocomposites enhancing sodium storage

In this study, mesoporous ZnCo₂O₄/rGO nanocomposites were favorably synthesized via a simple solvothermal technique. As a prospective anode material for sodium-ion batteries, the resulting ZnCo₂O₄/rGO-II nanocomposite exhibited superior electrochemical sodium storage performance with predominant specific capacity, favorable cyclability and ascendant rate capability. For example, an outstanding discharge capacity of 210.5 mAh g^-1 was delivered at a current density of 200 mA g^-1. Notably, the nanocomposite could yield a discharge capacity of 101.7 mAh g^-1 at a current density of 1000 mA g^-1 after 500 loops, which certifies its superior capacity retention and predominant cycling stability. The boosted performance of the anode materials is due to the mutual synergistic effect resulting from a combination of the mesoporous ZnCo₂O₄ nanospheres and conducting reduced graphene oxide nanosheets.

All-optical inhibitory dynamics in photonic neuron based on polarization mode competition in a VCSEL with an embedded saturable absorber

An all-optical spike inhibition scheme based on polarization-mode competition (PMC) in a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) with an embedded saturable absorber is proposed and investigated numerically. The inhibitory dynamics is characterized by spike amplitude and first-spike latency (FSL) for the first time, to the best of our knowledge. The effects of time differences between inhibitory and excitatory inputs, inputs strengths, bias current, as well as noise on the spike amplitude and FSL are examined. The results show that a spike can be triggered in the y-polarization mode by excitatory input and can be inhibited in the presence of inhibitory input due to PMC.

Primary vs myocutaneous flap closure of perineal defects following abdominoperineal resection for colorectal disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis

AIM

Perineal wound complications after abdominoperineal resection (APR) have become a major clinical challenge. Myocutaneous flap closure has been proposed in place of primary closure to improve wound healing. We conducted this comprehensive meta-analysis to evaluate the current scientific evidence of primary closure vs myocutaneous flap closure of perineal defects following APR for colorectal disease.

METHODS

We systematically searched the MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, Web of Science and Cochrane Library databases to identify all relevant studies. After data extraction from the included studies, meta-analysis was performed to compare perioperative outcomes of primary closure and myocutaneous flap closure.

RESULTS

Eighteen studies with a total of 17 913 patients (16 346 primary closure vs 1567 myocutaneous flap closure) were included. We found that primary closure was significantly associated with higher total perineal wound complications (P = 0.007), major perineal wound complications (P < 0.001) and perineal wound infection (P = 0.001). On the other hand, myocutaneous flap closure takes more operation time (P < 0.001) and increases the risk of perineal wound dehiscence (P = 0.01), deep surgical site infection (P < 0.001), enterocutaneous fistulas (P = 0.03) and return to the operating room (P = 0.0005). There were no significant differences between the two groups for other outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first systematic review with meta-analysis comparing primary closure with myocutaneous flap closure of perineal defects after APR for colorectal disease. Although taking more operation time and an increased risk of specific complications, the pooled results have validated the use of myocutaneous flaps for reducing total/major perineal wound complications. More investigations are needed to draw definitive conclusions on this dilemma.

The influence of obesity on clinical outcomes of fixed-bearing unicompartmental knee arthroplasty

Aims

The aim of this study was to assess the influence of obesity on the clinical outcomes and survivorship ten years postoperatively in patients who underwent a fixed-bearing unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA).

Patients and Methods

We prospectively followed 184 patients who underwent UKA between 2003 and 2007 for a minimum of ten years. A total of 142 patients with preoperative body mass index (BMI) of < 30 kg/m2 were in the control group (32 male, 110 female) and 42 patients with BMI of ≥ 30 kg/m2 were in the obese group (five male, 37 female). Pre- and postoperative range of movement (ROM), Knee Society Score (KSS), Oxford Knee Score (OKS), 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36), and survivorship were analyzed.

Results

Patients in the obese group underwent UKA at a significantly younger mean age (56.5 years (sd 6.4)) than those in the control group (62.4 years (sd 7.8); p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in preoperative functional scores. However, those in the obese group had a significantly lower ROM (116° (sd 15°) vs 123° (sd 17°); p = 0.003). Both groups achieved significant improvement in outcome scores regardless of BMI, ten years postoperatively. All patients achieved the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) for OKS and KSS. Both groups also had high rates of satisfaction (96.3% in the control group and 97.5% in the obese group) and the fulfilment of expectations (94.9% in the control group and 95.0% in the obese group). Multiple linear regression showed a clear association between obesity and a lower OKS two years postoperatively and Knee Society Function Score (KSFS) ten years postoperatively. After applying propensity matching, obese patients had a significantly lower KSFS, OKS, and physical component score (PCS) ten years postoperatively. Seven patients underwent revision to total knee arthroplasty (TKA), two in the control group and five in the obese group, resulting in a mean rate of survival at ten years of 98.6% and 88.1%, respectively (p = 0.012).

Conclusion

Both groups had significant improvements in functional and quality-of-life scores postoperatively. However, obesity was a significant predictor of poorer improvement in clinical outcome and an increased rate of revision ten years postoperatively.

Asynchronous reactions of “self-matrix” dual-crystals effectively accommodating volume expansion/shrinkage of electrode materials with enhanced sodium storage

The dual-crystal FeS₂ shows a better tolerance towards large volume changes because of the asynchronous reaction.

CCR6 defines a subset of activated memory T cells of Th17 potential in immune thrombocytopenia

Current researches have determined the significance of C-C chemokine receptor (CCR)6 expression as either a marker of T helper cells (Th) or an effector and regulator of T cell function. However, the roles of CCR6 in the pathogenesis of immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) are unclear. In this study, we aimed to investigate the phenotype and functional characteristics of circulating CCR6⁺ T cells in blood from chronic ITP patients and healthy controls. We found that the frequency of CCR6⁺ CD4⁺ cells was higher in ITP patients than in healthy controls. Anti-CD3/anti-CD28 stimulation induced rapid expansion of CCR6⁺ CD4⁺ cells in ITP patients. CCR6⁺ CD4⁺ cells had a phenotype of activated cells and predominantly expressed CD45RO. Forkhead box protein P3 (FoxP3) and CD25-positive cells were exclusively detected within the CCR6⁺ CD4⁺ cells. In ITP patients, CCR6⁺ regulatory T cells (T_reg ) were decreased and positively correlated with platelet counts and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β plasma levels. In contrast to CCR6^- counterparts, CCR6⁺ CD4⁺ cells produced higher levels of interleukin (IL)-17A. The frequency of CCR6⁺ Th17 was higher in ITP patients and positively correlated with IL-17A levels in supernatant. Most importantly, CCR6⁺ CD4⁺ cell subpopulations, but not CCR6^- CD4⁺ , were closely correlated to treatment response of ITP patients. These findings suggest that circulating CCR6⁺ CD4⁺ cells in ITP patients have characteristics of activated memory Th17 phenotype and could be used to monitor disease activity and treatment response.

Mortality and prognostic factors in Chinese patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

Objectives

To investigate the mortality and causes of death in Chinese patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Methods

We collected the clinical data of all consecutive adult systemic lupus erythematosus patients at the Rheumatology department of Peking University First Hospital between January 2007 and December 2015. The primary causes of death were identified, the standardized mortality ratio and years of life lost were calculated, and the survival and variables associated with mortality were determined by Kaplan–Meier and Cox regression analysis respectively.

Results

The mean age of all 911 patients (814 females and 97 males) was 37.8 ± 14.7 years, the median disease duration at recruitment was 2.6 (0.5–7.0) years, and the median follow-up duration was 3.0 (1.4–5.1) years. Among the 911 patients who were successfully followed up, 45 patients died. Infection (31.1%) was the leading cause of death followed by renal failure, pulmonary arterial hypertension and cerebrovascular diseases. The overall age and sex-adjusted standardized mortality ratio was 3.2 (95% confidence interval 2.4–4.0), and the years of life lost for women and men were 29.8 and 9.4 respectively. Overall survival at 1, 5 and 10 years was 98.2%, 95.3% and 93.7% respectively. Older age at disease onset, infection, autoimmune hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia and pulmonary arterial hypertension were independent risk factors for the mortality of systemic lupus erythematosus patients, and longer disease duration at recruitment was an independent protective factor.

Conclusions

Mortality of systemic lupus erythematosus patients in China was substantial, especially in females, with infection the leading cause of death. Older age at disease onset, infection, autoimmune hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia and pulmonary arterial hypertension were associated with poor outcomes.

[Clinical value of the early use of ulinastatin in patients with moderately severe or severe acute pancreatitis]

Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy and the effects on serum inflammatory factors of early use of ulinastatin in patients with moderately severe or severe acute pancreatitis (MSAP/SAP). Methods: This prospective, randomized, controlled trial was conducted in the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from September 2013 to May 2016. A total of 42 cases were enrolled and assigned into either observation group or conventional treatment group (n=21 each). The conventional treatment group received somatostatin, while the observation group received somatostatin combined with ulinastatin. After treatment, clinical characteristics, serum indicators, clinical complications and serum level of inflammatory factors were analyzed. Results: Intra-abdominal pressure and relief time of abdominal pain were significantly decreased in observation group [ (10.4±2.1) cmH(2)O; (2.5±1.2) d ] compared with the conventional treatment group [ (11.7±2.2) cmH(2)O; (3.33± 1.2) d ], P<0.05. White blood cells (WBC) were lower in observation group than those in conventional treatment group [ (11.2±1.8) ×10(9)/L vs (12.5±2.3) ×10(9)/L; P<0.05 ]. After treatment serum levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-8 and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) in observation group [ (30.5±3.3), (34.7± 6.5), (22.6±4.0) μg/L] were significantly lower than those in conventional treatment group [ (39.6±4.0), (40.9±3.4), (33.1±6.6) μg/L], P<0.05. There were no differences between the two groups in modified CT severity index (MCTSI), recovery time of defecation, ICU length of stay, serum amylase, C-reactive protein (CRP) and incidence rates of clinical complications. Conclusions: The early use of ulinastatin in the patients with MSAP/SAP can down-regulated the levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-8, reduce the inflammatory response, decrease intra-abdominal pressure and shorten abdominal pain time. It was beneficial and worthy of wider popularization.

MicroRNA-543 functions as an osteogenesis promoter in human periodontal ligament-derived stem cells by inhibiting transducer of ERBB2, 2

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Previous research has indicated that altered expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) is in connection with osteogenesis of human periodontal ligament-derived stem cells (hPDLSCs). We investigated the mechanisms by which miR-543 promotes osteogenic differentiation of hPDLSCs.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

First, the expression of miR-543 in hPDLSCs cultured with or without an osteogenic inductive cocktail was explored. Then, the function of miR-543 during osteogenesis of hPDLSCs was investigated by overexpressing and inhibiting miR-543. Next, 3 databases were used to predict target genes of miR-543 and a luciferase report was used to validate the direct regulation of miR-543 on the target gene. Further, a rescue experiment using co-transfection of miR-543 mimic and target mimic was performed to evaluate whether overexpressing the target gene could partly rescue the efficiency of overexpressing miR-543 on osteogenesis in hPDLSCs.

RESULTS

miR-543 was upregulated during osteogenic differentiation of hPDLSCs. Functional experiments showed that overexpressing miR-543 could enhance osteogenesis, while inhibiting miR-543 resulted in reduced formation of mineralized nodules. The transducer of ERBB2, 2 (TOB2) was identified as a target gene of miR-543 and luciferase report revealed that miR-543 interacts directly with the 3'-untranslated repeat sequence of TOB2 mRNA. Overexpression of miR-543 inhibited the expression of TOB2 in both mRNA and protein levels while inhibiting miR-543 increased. Furthermore, the rescue experiment confirmed the promotional role of miR-543 TOB2 expression could be abrogated by overexpressing TOB2, which also had the effect of reducing osteogenic differentiation.

CONCLUSION

Our research confirmed that miR-543 is a promoter of osteogenesis in hPDLSCs, acting by inhibiting its target gene TOB2, which suggests that miR-543 may be a potential therapy for bone loss in periodontitis.

The influence of obesity on functional outcome and quality of life after total knee arthroplasty: a ten-year follow-up study

Aims

This study investigated the influence of body mass index (BMI) on patients' function and quality of life ten years after total knee arthroplasty (TKA).

Patients and Methods

A total of 126 patients who underwent unilateral TKA in 2006 were prospectively included in this retrospective study. They were categorized into two groups based on BMI: < 30 kg/m² (control) and ≥ 30 kg/m² (obese). Functional outcome was assessed using the Knee Society Function Score (KSFS), Knee Society Knee Score (KSKS), and Oxford Knee Score (OKS). Quality of life was assessed using the Physical (PCS) and Mental Component Scores (MCS) of the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey.

Results

Results Patients in the obese group underwent TKA at a younger age (mean, 63.0 years, sd 8.0) compared with the control group (mean, 65.6 years, sd 7.6; p = 0.03). Preoperatively, both groups had comparable functional and quality-of-life scores. Ten years postoperatively, the control group had significantly higher OKS and MCS compared with the obese group (OKS, mean 18 (sd 5) vs mean 22 (sd 10), p = 0.03; MCS, mean 56 (sd 10) vs mean 50 (sd 11), p = 0.01). After applying multiple linear regression with the various outcomes scores as dependent variables and age, gender, and Charlson Comorbidity Index as independent variables, there was a clear association between obesity and poorer outcome in KSFS, OKS, and MCS at ten years postoperatively (p < 0.01 in both KSFS and OKS, and p = 0.03 in MCS). Both groups had a high satisfaction rate (97.8% in the control group vs 87.9% in the obese group, p = 0.11) and fulfillment of expectations at ten years (98.9% in the control group vs 100% in the obese group, p = 0.32).

Conclusion

Although both obese and non-obese patients have significant improvements in function and quality of life postoperatively, obese patients tend to have smaller improvements in the OKS and MCS ten years postoperatively. It is important to counsel patients on the importance of weight management to achieve a more sustained outcome after TKA. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2018;100-B:579-83.

The burden of inpatient care for diabetic and non-diabetic patients with osteoporotic hip fractures-does it differ? An analysis of patients recruited into a fracture liaison service in Southeast Asia

Hospital care and mortality of diabetic and non-diabetic osteoporotic Asian patients undergoing hip fracture surgery were explored with no difference in length of hospitalization, incidence of post-operative complications, or mortality between diabetics and non-diabetics seen. Time to operation correlated with post-operative complications occurrence and therefore surgery should be expeditiously done.

INTRODUCTION

Whether burden of inpatient care, problems after admission, and mortality rates differ between diabetics and non-diabetics undergoing surgery for osteoporotic hip fractures has not been explored in Asian populations.

METHOD

Three hundred eighty-nine multi-ethnic diabetic and non-diabetic patients recruited into a FLS at a large Asian hospital with new osteoporotic hip fractures requiring operative repair were analyzed.

RESULTS

87.9% were Chinese, 6.4% Malay, and 3.6% Indians. BMI and age did not significantly differ between diabetics and non-diabetics. Median (IQR) length of hospitalization (LOHS) in days was 12 (9, 17) in diabetics and 11 (8, 14) in non-diabetics (p = 0.011). Median time from admission to operation (TTO) was 3 (2, 5) in diabetics versus 2 (1, 4.5) in the non-diabetics (p = 0.003). Occurrence of aggregate post-operative complications did not differ between diabetics and non-diabetics. No in-hospital mortalities occurred in either group. Thirty-day and 1-year mortality rates did not differ between the two groups. One-year mortality was 2.8% in the entire cohort. On multivariate regression analysis adjusted for age and race, only TTO (β; 1.8, 95% CI 1.5-2.0, p < 0.001) and occurrence of post-operative complications (β; 6.3, 95% CI 3.7-7.9, p < 0.001) correlated with LOHS. TTO and age-adjusted Charlson's Comorbidity Index (CCI) correlated significantly with the development of post-operative complications.

CONCLUSIONS

Diabetes was not independently associated with LOHS in patients undergoing hip fracture surgery. Aggregate post-operative complications did not differ between diabetics and non-diabetics. TTO and occurrence of post-operative complications significantly affected LOHS. TTO correlated with post-complications development. Surgery should be expeditiously done in both diabetics and non-diabetics to avoid the development of post-operative complications and to prevent prolonged hospital stay.

The glycosyltransferase ST6Gal-I is enriched in cancer stem-like cells in colorectal carcinoma and contributes to their chemo-resistance

PURPOSE

Presence of cancer stem cells (CSCs) contributes to tumor outgrowth, chemo-resistance and relapse in some cancers including colorectal carcinoma (CRC). The current characterization methods of CSCs in CRC only allows enrichment of CSCs but not their purification. Recent reports showed that ST6 beta-galactoside alpha-2,6-sialyltransferase 1 (ST6Gal-I) plays an essential role in protecting tumor cells against harsh environment like oxidative stress and nutrient deprivation. Therefore, whether ST6Gal-I may be highly expressed in CSCs or whether it may enhance resistance of tumor cells to chemotherapy deserves exploration.

METHOD

ST6Gal-I levels were determined in CRC specimens, compared to paired normal colorectal tissue, and examined in CD133+ vs CD133- CRC cells, and CD44+ vs CD44- CRC cells. ST6Gal-I levels and their association with patient survival were examined. In vivo, 2 CRC cell lines Caco-2 and SW48 were transduced with two lentiviruses, one lentivirus carrying a green fluorescent protein reporter and a luciferase reporter under a cytomegalovirus promoter to allow tracing tumor cells by both fluorescence and luciferase activity, and one lentivirus carrying a nuclear red fluorescent protein under the control of ST6Gal-I promoter to allow separation of ST6Gal-I+ vs ST6Gal-I- CRC cells. Tumor sphere formation, resistance to fluorouracil-induced apoptosis, and frequency of tumor formation after serial adoptive transplantation were done on ST6Gal-I+ vs ST6Gal-I- CRC cells.

RESULT

ST6Gal-I levels were significantly upregulated in clinically obtained CRC specimens, compared to paired normal colorectal tissue. Poorer patient survival was detected in ST6Gal-I-high CRC, compared to ST6Gal-I-low subjects. Higher levels of ST6Gal-I were detected in CD133+ CRC cells than CD133- CRC cells, and in CD44+ CRC cells than in CD44- CRC cells. Compared to ST6Gal-I- CRC cells, ST6Gal-I+ CRC cells generated significantly more tumor spheres in culture, were more resistant to fluorouracil-induced apoptosis likely through upregulating cell autophagy, and generated tumor more frequently after serial adoptive transplantation.

CONCLUSION

ST6Gal-I may be highly expressed in the cancer stem-like cells in CRC and enhances cancer cell resistance to chemotherapy.

Controllably Designed "Vice-Electrode" Interlayers Harvesting High Performance Lithium Sulfur Batteries

An interlayer has been regarded as a promising mediator to prolong the life span of lithium sulfur batteries because its excellent absorbability to soluble polysulfide efficiently hinders the shuttle effect. Herein, we designed various interlayers and understand the working mechanism of an interlayer for lithium sulfur batteries in detail. It was found that the electrochemical performance of a S electrode for an interlayer located in cathode side is superior to the pristine one without interlayers. Surprisingly, the performance of the S electrode for an interlayer located in anode side is poorer than that of pristine one. For comparison, glass fibers were also studied as a nonconductive interlayer for lithium sulfur batteries. Unlike the two interlayers above, these nonconductive interlayer did displays significant capacity fading because polysulfides were adsorbed onto insulated interlayer. Thus, the nonconductive interlayer function as a "dead zone" upon cycling. Based on our findings, it was for the first time proposed that a controllably optimized interlayer, with electrical conductivity as well as the absorbability of polysulfides, may function as a "vice-electrode" of the anode or cathode upon cycling. Therefore, the cathodic conductive interlayer can enhance lithium sulfur battery performance, and the anodic conductive interlayer may be helpful for the rational design of 3D networks for the protection of lithium metal.

A system for detecting high impact-low frequency mutations in primary tumors and metastases

Tumor complexity and intratumor heterogeneity contribute to subclonal diversity. Despite advances in next-generation sequencing (NGS) and bioinformatics, detecting rare mutations in primary tumors and metastases contributing to subclonal diversity is a challenge for precision genomics. Here, in order to identify rare mutations, we adapted a recently described epithelial reprograming assay for short-term propagation of epithelial cells from primary and metastatic tumors. Using this approach, we expanded minor clones and obtained epithelial cell-specific DNA/RNA for quantitative NGS analysis. Comparative Ampliseq Comprehensive Cancer Panel sequence analyses were performed on DNA from unprocessed breast tumor and tumor cells propagated from the same tumor. We identified previously uncharacterized mutations present only in the cultured tumor cells, a subset of which has been reported in brain metastatic but not primary breast tumors. In addition, whole-genome sequencing identified mutations enriched in liver metastases of various cancers, including Notch pathway mutations/chromosomal inversions in 5/5 liver metastases, irrespective of cancer types. Mutations/rearrangements in FHIT, involved in purine metabolism, were detected in 4/5 liver metastases, and the same four liver metastases shared mutations in 32 genes, including mutations of different HLA-DR family members affecting OX40 signaling pathway, which could impact the immune response to metastatic cells. Pathway analyses of all mutated genes in liver metastases showed aberrant tumor necrosis factor and transforming growth factor signaling in metastatic cells. Epigenetic regulators including KMT2C/MLL3 and ARID1B, which are mutated in >50% of hepatocellular carcinomas, were also mutated in liver metastases. Thus, irrespective of cancer types, organ-specific metastases may share common genomic aberrations. Since recent studies show independent evolution of primary tumors and metastases and in most cases mutation burden is higher in metastases than primary tumors, the method described here may allow early detection of subclonal somatic alterations associated with metastatic progression and potentially identify therapeutically actionable, metastasis-specific genomic aberrations.

Deleting the first disulphide bond in an arenicin derivative enhances its expression in Pichia pastoris

The marine antimicrobial peptide NZ17074, a variant of arenicin-3 from Arenicola marina that has broad antimicrobial activity and high bioavailability, can be designed to treat bacterial and fungal diseases. To reduce the toxicity of NZ17074, N6 was designed by replacing a cysteine in positions 3 and 20 with alanine, fused to the C-terminus of the small ubiquitin-like modifier tag (SUMO), and expressed in yeast. SUMO-N6 yielded as much as 921 mg l^-1 at 72 h after induction in a fermentor and increased 1·8-fold over SUMO-NZ17074. After cleavage with 30% formic acid and purification by a Sephadex G-25 column, 9·7 mg of the recombinant peptide N6 (rN6) was obtained from one-litre fermentation broth, increasing 1·4-fold over NZ17074. Compared to NZ17074, rN6 displayed almost identical antimicrobial activity with a minimal inhibitory concentration of 0·5, 0·25-0·5, 4, 0·25-16 and 16 μg ml^-1 against Escherichia, Salmonella, Pseudomonas, Staphylococcus and Streptococcus strains. Our results indicate that the first disulphide bond, Cys3-Cys20, in NZ17074 is not necessary for antimicrobial activity and that its deletion might reduce toxicity to host cells. These findings may help design new antimicrobial peptides harbouring fewer disulphide bridges and may have more potent activity.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

Disulphide bond formation is an important step in the protein expression and can also influence protein secretion. A deletion of the first disulphide bond in NZ17074 increased the secreted level of target protein, and its antimicrobial activity was almost unaffected by the deletion of the first disulphide bond. The first disulphide bond in NZ17074 is favourable for correctly forming another disulphide bond during expression but not necessary for its activity. This may help design and produce a novel class of antimicrobial peptides harbouring fewer disulphide bridges to save the cost.

Effect of Retrievable Stent Size on Endovascular Treatment of Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Multicenter Study

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

In clinical practice, stent diameter is one of the variable properties important for endovascular treatment. A consensus guideline for stent retriever size selection has yet to be established. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different diameters of Solitaire retrievers on outcomes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Of 628 patients enrolled from the Endovascular Treatment for Acute Anterior Circulation Ischemic Stroke Registry, 256 were treated with the Solitaire 4-mm device and 372, with the 6-mm device. We matched patients treated with the 2 stent sizes using propensity score analysis. The successful outcome was reperfusion as measured by the modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction score immediately postprocedure and the dichotomized modified Rankin Scale score at 90 days. Symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage and in-hospital mortality were also recorded.

RESULTS

After propensity score analysis, group outcomes did not differ. In addition, in patients with atherosclerosis-related occlusion, a higher reperfusion rate (P = .021) was observed in the Solitaire 4 group, as well as a shorter time interval (P = .002) and fewer passes (P = .025). Independent predictors of successful reperfusion in patients with atherosclerotic disease on logistic analysis were the small stent (OR, 3.217; 95% CI, 1.129-9.162; P = .029) and the propensity score acting as a covariate (OR, 52.84; 95% CI, 3.468-805.018; P = .004).

CONCLUSIONS

We found no evidence of a differential effect of intra-arterial therapy based on the size of Solitaire retrievers. In patients with atherosclerotic disease, favorable reperfusion was associated with deployment of a small stent.

Dysfunction of the WT1-MEG3 signaling promotes AML leukemogenesis via p53-dependent and -independent pathways

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play a pivotal role in tumorigenesis, exemplified by the recent finding that lncRNA maternally expressed gene 3 (MEG3) inhibits tumor growth in a p53-dependent manner. Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is the most common malignant myeloid disorder in adults, and TP53 mutations or loss are frequently detected in patients with therapy-related AML or AML with complex karyotype. Here, we reveal that MEG3 is significantly downregulated in AML and suppresses leukemogenesis not only in a p53-dependent, but also a p53-independent manner. In addition, MEG3 is proven to be transcriptionally activated by Wilms’ tumor 1 (WT1), dysregulation of which by epigenetic silencing or mutations is causally involved in AML. Therefore MEG3 is identified as a novel target of the WT1 molecule. Ten–eleven translocation-2 (TET2) mutations frequently occur in AML and significantly promote leukemogenesis of this disorder. In our study, TET2, acting as a cofactor of WT1, increases MEG3 expression. Taken together, our work demonstrates that TET2 dysregulated WT1-MEG3 axis significantly promotes AML leukemogenesis, paving a new avenue for diagnosis and treatment of AML patients.