[The mechanism and role of autologous peritoneum transplantation to enterocystoplasty in porcine model]

Objective: To explore the pathological mechanism and role of autologous peritoneum transplantation onenterocystoplasty in porcine model. Methods: Randomly, four experimental female swine were chosen, and each of their body weight was 28-33 kg. By intravenous anesthesia, the transplantation of autologous peritoneum for bladder reconstruction operation was carried out (to transplant the peritoneum onto an ileum segment of which the mucosa and submucosa had been removed. These flaps were used to mend and augment the bladder by suturing the edge of detective bladders). After removal of ureteral catheters and balloon catheter at day 5 respectively, their voiding behaviors were monitored, and respectively 2 swine were euthanized at week 3/6 for routine pathology, immunohistochemistry, and electron microscopic examinations. Results: Four swine underwent reconstruction, but none died for complications such as peritonitis, ileus and urinary fistula. The length of ileum was 35 cm, and the area of peritoneum was 15 cm×10 cm. Voiding behaviorsof the swine were normal, with clear urine after removal of their catheters. At autopsy, reconstructed bladders were healthy. Pathological examination showed the neobladder had been covered by continuous urothelium while the peritoneum disappeared without ileal mucosa regrowth or residual. Scanning electron microscope showed that the transitional cells of neobladder of swine were complete and orderly, and urothelium around suture border was continuous withoutmalposition. Conclusions: In porcine model, autologous peritoneal transplantation witnessed no immune rejection response for itself, which was replaced by crawling transitional epithelium around anastomosis, rather than by metaplasia.

Model-based evaluation of the efficacy and safety of nivolumab once every 4 weeks across multiple tumor types

BACKGROUND

Nivolumab 480 mg every 4 weeks (Q4W) is approved in the European Union, United States, and several other markets across multiple tumor types. Its approval was supported by quantitative efficacy/safety analyses bridging to 3 mg/kg every 2 weeks (Q2W).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The benefit-risk profile of nivolumab 480 mg Q4W relative to 3 mg/kg Q2W was evaluated using population pharmacokinetic modeling and exposure-response (E-R) analyses for safety and efficacy. Pharmacokinetic exposures were predicted for 3203 patients with melanoma, non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), renal cell carcinoma (RCC), squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, urothelial carcinoma, or classical Hodgkin lymphoma. Quantitative models analyzed E-R to predict 480-mg Q4W safety across all indications and efficacy for melanoma, NSCLC, and RCC. Intratumoral receptor occupancy (RO) was predicted for parameters representing different tumor types.

RESULTS

Time-averaged concentrations for 480 mg Q4W versus 3 mg/kg Q2W were higher during the first 28 days (26.8%) and similar at steady state (5.2%). The maximum concentration (C_max) after the first dose was higher (110.4%), and the trough concentration at day 28 was lower (-22.1%) with 480 mg Q4W versus 3 mg/kg Q2W. The C_max achieved with 480 mg Q4W was lower than the previously established safe dose of 10 mg/kg Q2W. The probability of adverse events for key safety end points was similar for 480 mg Q4W and 3 mg/kg Q2W. The predicted overall survival and objective response rates with 480 mg Q4W were comparable to 3 mg/kg Q2W. The predicted high intratumoral RO provided additional evidence to support 480 mg Q4W across tumor types.

CONCLUSIONS

The benefit-risk profile for nivolumab 480 mg Q4W was predicted to be similar to that of 3 mg/kg Q2W across tumor types while providing a convenient and flexible option for patients and their caregivers.

Calculation of Likelihood Ratio for Identifying Half Sibling Relationship When Both Biological Mothers Participate

Objective To derive the formulae for likelihood ratio （LR） calculation of half sibling relationships when both mothers participate. Methods Based on the fact that both biological mothers participate in the identification of half sibling relationship between the two individuals, test hypothesis for the identification of half sibling relationship was established. Conditional probability ratios of genetic evidence under null hypothesis and alternative hypothesis conditions were simplified, and then applied to a real case of half sibling relationship identification. At the same time, the LR of half sibling relationships under the assumption that only a single biological mother or none of the biological mothers participate were respectively calculated. Results In the cases of identification of half sibling relationship from same fathers, with no biological father involved, after the same genetic indicator test analysis, when both biological mothers participate in the identification, the accumulated LR value was higher than that of accumulated LR with only a single biological mother or no parents participating. Conclusion When the autosome STR test is used for the identification and analysis of half sibling relationship between two individuals, the calculation of LR is more simple, intuitive and operable with both mothers participating. The biological mothers should participate in the test as much as possible, otherwise the number of STR loci would need to be increased for a more specific conclusion.

[A clinical analysis of 27 cases of simultaneous bilateral sudden sensorineural hearing loss]

Objective:To compare the clinical characteristics and therapeutic effects between simultaneous bilateral sudden sensorineural hearing loss（Si-BSSHL） and unilateral sudden sensorineural hearing loss（USSHL）. Method:The clinical data of 27 cases of Si-BSSHL were retrospectively analyzed, including the characteristics of the disease, clinical manifestations, audiological examination, hematological examination, and therapeutic effect, and compared with those of 139 cases of USSHL. Result:There was a statistically significant difference in the age（65.85±9.17 vs 56.95±13.18, P<0.01） and no significant difference in sex ratio（P>0.05） between the two groups. The proportion of Si-BSSHL patients with vertigo, ear fullness, hypertension, diabetes, coronary heart disease and stroke had no statistical difference compared with those of USSHL（P>0.05）, the proportion of patients with tinnitus in Si-BSSHL group was significantly lower than that in USSHL group（P<0.05）. The distribution of hearing loss degree and the type of audiometry in Si-BSSHL group were significantly different from those in USSHL group, PTA before treatment and the proportion of profound hearing loss in Si-BSSHL group was significantly lower than that in USSHL group（P<0.05）, descending audiometry type was more common in Si-BSSHL group compared to USSHL（P<0.01）. Fibrinogen in Si-BSSHL group was significantly higher than that in USSHL group（P<0.05）. No significant difference was found between the two groups with respect to mean platelet volume, blood lipid and folic acid（P>0.05）. The total treatment effective rate in Si-BSSHL group was 44.44%, while that in USSHL group was 41.73%, there was no significant difference between the two groups（P>0.05）. Conclusion:Si-BSSHL has a female preponderance and tends to occur in advanced age in our cohort. Compared to USSHL patients, Si-BSSHL patients have less profound hearing loss and more descending audiograms, and the proportion of patients with extremely severe deafness is relatively small. There is no significant difference in the therapeutic effect between the two groups.

LncRNA-UCA1 promotes PD development by upregulating SNCA

OBJECTIVE

The study aims to investigate whether Long non-coding RNA (LncRNA)-UCA1 can regulate the progression of Parkinson's disease (PD) by mediating a-synuclein (SNCA) expression.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

PD mouse model was first constructed by intraperitoneal injection of MPTP. SH-SY5Y cells were treated with MPP+ for inducing in vitro PD model. Expression levels of lncRNA-UCA1 and SNCA in brain tissues extracted from PD mice and MPP+-induced SH-SY5Y cells were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Protein expression of SNCA was accessed by Western blot. After transfection of pcDNA-NC+DMSO, pcDNA-UCA1+DMSO, pcDNA-NC+α-amantin or pcDNA-UCA1+α-amanitin in SH-SY5Y cells, SNCA expression was detected. Cell viability and SNCA expression were determined after UCA1 overexpression or knockdown in SH-SY5Y cells. Neuronal apoptosis in MPP+-induced SH-SY5Y cells was detected by flow cytometry after the UCA1 knockdown.

RESULTS

UCA1 and SNCA were highly expressed in brain tissues extracted from PD mice and MPP+-induced SH-SY5Y cells. UCA1 overexpression remarkably upregulated mRNA and protein expressions of SNCA in SH-SY5Y cells. Higher viability was seen after the UCA1 knockdown in MPP+-induced SH-SY5Y cells. UCA1 knockdown remarkably inhibited caspase-3 activity and decreased MPP+-induced neuronal apoptosis in SH-SY5Y cells.

CONCLUSIONS

LncRNA-UCA1 promotes the occurrence and progression of PD by upregulating SNCA expression.

Developing Children's Oral Health Assessment Toolkits Using Machine Learning Algorithm

OBJECTIVES

Evaluating children's oral health status and treatment needs is challenging. We aim to build oral health assessment toolkits to predict Children's Oral Health Status Index (COHSI) score and referral for treatment needs (RFTN) of oral health. Parent and Child toolkits consist of short-form survey items (12 for children and 8 for parents) with and without children's demographic information (7 questions) to predict the child's oral health status and need for treatment.

METHODS

Data were collected from 12 dental practices in Los Angeles County from 2015 to 2016. We predicted COHSI score and RFTN using random Bootstrap samples with manually introduced Gaussian noise together with machine learning algorithms, such as Extreme Gradient Boosting and Naive Bayesian algorithms (using R). The toolkits predicted the probability of treatment needs and the COHSI score with percentile (ranking). The performance of the toolkits was evaluated internally and externally by residual mean square error (RMSE), correlation, sensitivity and specificity.

RESULTS

The toolkits were developed based on survey responses from 545 families with children aged 2 to 17 y. The sensitivity and specificity for predicting RFTN were 93% and 49% respectively with the external data. The correlation(s) between predicted and clinically determined COHSI was 0.88 (and 0.91 for its percentile). The RMSEs of the COHSI toolkit were 4.2 for COHSI (and 1.3 for its percentile).

CONCLUSIONS

Survey responses from children and their parents/guardians are predictive for clinical outcomes. The toolkits can be used by oral health programs at baseline among school populations. The toolkits can also be used to quantify differences between pre- and post-dental care program implementation. The toolkits' predicted oral health scores can be used to stratify samples in oral health research.

KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER STATEMENT

This study creates the oral health toolkits that combine self- and proxy- reported short forms with children's demographic characteristics to predict children's oral health and treatment needs using Machine Learning algorithms. The toolkits can be used by oral health programs at baseline among school populations to quantify differences between pre and post dental care program implementation. The toolkits can also be used to stratify samples according to the treatment needs and oral health status.

Research on ketamine in mediating autophagy and inhibiting apoptosis of astrocytes in cerebral cortex of rats through NF-κB pathway

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effects of ketamine on autophagy and apoptosis of astrocytes in the cerebral cortex of rats, and determine whether nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) pathway is involved in the regulation of autophagy and apoptosis of astrocytes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 36 male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: control group (Group C: intraperitoneal injection of equal amount of normal saline), glutamic acid group (Group G: intraperitoneal injection of 1 mg/kg glutamic acid) and glutamic acid + ketamine group (Group GK: intraperitoneal injection of 1 mg/kg glutamic acid and then injection of 5 mg/kg ketamine after 30 min). The cerebral cortex of rats in each group was taken after successive administration for 5 d. The number of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)-positive cells in the cerebral cortex of rats in each group was detected via immunofluorescence. The number of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL)-positive cells (apoptotic cells) in the cerebral cortex was detected via TUNEL staining. The levels of inflammatory factors were detected using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. Moreover, the expressions of autophagy-related proteins and apoptosis-related proteins in the cerebral cortex were detected via Western blotting, and the expressions of IκB-a and NF-κBp65 were also detected.

RESULTS

The results of immunofluorescence showed that the number of GFAP-positive cells in the cerebral cortex of rats in Group G was significantly increased compared with that in Group C (p<0.01), and it was significantly decreased in Group GK compared with that in Group G (p<0.01). The results of TUNEL staining revealed that the number of TUNEL-positive cells in the cerebral cortex in Group G was significantly larger than that in Group C, and it was significantly smaller in Group GK than that in Group G (p<0.01). Results of ELISA demonstrated that compared with those in Group C, the contents of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a) in Group G were significantly increased (p<0.01), but the content of IL-10 was significantly decreased (p<0.01). Compared with those in Group G, the contents of IL-6 and TNF-a in Group GK were significantly decreased (p<0.01), but the level of IL-10 was statistically elevated (p<0.01). Compared with those in Group C, the levels of LC3 II/I and cleaved caspase-3 in the cerebral cortex in Group G were significantly increased (p<0.01), but the p62 level and B-cell lymphoma-2/Bcl-2 associated X protein (Bcl-2/Bax) ratio were significantly decreased (p<0.01). In Group GK, the levels of LC3 II/I and cleaved caspase-3 were reduced, but the p62 level and Bcl-2/Bax ratio were increased. The expressions of IκB-α and NF-κBp65 in Group G were significantly decreased compared with those in Group C (p<0.01), and they were significantly higher in Group GK than those in Group G (p<0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Ketamine can reduce the glutamic acid-induced activation of astrocytes in the cerebral cortex, inhibit the autophagy and alleviate the apoptosis of astrocytes, the process of which is mediated by the NF-κB pathway, which provides the new molecular basis of ketamine in protecting astrocytes.

[An animal model of bladder reconstruction by autologous peritoneum transplantation]

Objective: To establish experimental porcine model of reconstruction the neobladder by ileal seromuscular with transplantation of autologous peritoneum. Methods: This was an animal experiment carried out from January to April 2018 at animal center of Guizhou Medical University. Randomly 6 experimental female porcines were chosen, and their body weight was 28 to 33 kg. By intravenous anesthesia, the transplantation of autologous peritoneum for bladder reconstruction operation was carried out by transplanting the peritoneum onto an ileum segment which mucosa and submucosa had been removed. These flaps were used to mend and reconstruct the neobladder by suturing with edge of the detective bladder. After removal of ureteral catheters and balloon catheter at day 5 and day 7 respectively, voiding behavior was monitored, and animals were euthanized at week 12 for routine pathology, immunohistochemistry, and electron microscopic examinations. Results: Six porcines underwent reconstruction, but no one lost to complications such as peritonitis, ileus and urinary fistula. Voiding behavior was normal, and urine was clear in all animals after removal of catheters. At autopsy, reconstructed bladders were healthy. Pathological examination showed the part of reconstruction had been covered by continuous urothelium while the peritoneum disappeared and showed no ileal mucosa regrowth and residual. Scanning electron microscope showed that the transitional cells of neobladder were complete and orderly, and urothelium around suture border was continuous and no malposition. Conclusion: In this experimental porcine model, reconstruction bladder by autologous peritoneum and ileal seromuscular flaps is an ideal approach.

Molecular cloning, characterisation, and expression patterns of pigeon CCAAT/enhancer binding protein-α and -β genes

1. CCAAT/enhancer binding proteins (C/EBPs), as a family of transcription factors, consists of six functionally and structurally related proteins which share a conserved basic leucine zipper (bZIP) DNA-binding domain. The aim of this study was to clone the full-length coding sequences (CDS) of C/EBP-α and -β genes, and determine the abundance of these two genes in various tissues of white king pigeon (C. livia). 2. The complete cDNA sequences of C/EBP-α and -β genes were cloned from pigeons by using PCR combined with rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE). The sequences were bioinformatically analysed, and the tissue distribution determined by quantitative real-time RT-PCR (qRT-PCR). 3. The results showed that the full-length cDNA sequences of pigeon C/EBP-α and -β genes were 2,807bp and 1,778bp, respectively. The open reading frames of C/EBP-α (978 bp) and -β (987bp) encoded 325 amino acids and 328 amino acids, respectively. The pigeon C/EBP-α and C/EBP-β proteins were predicted to have a conserved basic leucine zipper (bZIP) domain, which is a common structure feature of the C/EBP family. Multiple sequence alignments indicated that pigeon C/EBP-α and -β shared more than 90% amino-acid identity with their corresponding homologues in other avian species. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that these two proteins were highly conserved across different species and evolutionary processes. QRT-PCR results indicated that the pigeon C/EBP-α and -β mRNA transcripts were expressed in all investigated organs. The mRNA expression levels of pigeon C/EBP-α in descending order, were in spleen, heart, liver, lung, kidney and muscle. The pigeon C/EBP-β gene had the most abundant expression in lung, followed by the kidney, with minimal expression detected in muscle. 4. This study investigated the full-length cDNA sequences, genetic characteristics and tissue distribution of pigeon C/EBP-α and -β genes and found that they may have functions in various tissues of pigeon. This provides a foundation for further study for regulatory mechanisms of these two genes in birds.

[Practical membrane anatomy of en bloc mesogastrium excision in lymph node dissection of gastric cancer]

Gastric cancer is a common malignant tumor of digestive system. D2 procedure is recognized as the standard operation for advanced gastric cancer at present. However, controversies still exist in the standardization and quality control of surgical procedures. Total mesorectal excision (TME) and complete mesocolic excision (CME) based on the membrane anatomy perfectly solve these problems in the treatment for colorectal cancer. However, the complexity of mesogastrium determines that TME and CME cannot be easily transplanted to the treatment of gastric cancer. The practical membrane anatomy in gastric cancer surgery is just emerging and its impact on the treatment of gastric cancer is immeasurable. By reviewing the evolution and embryonic development of digestive system, and combining with actual operation, this paper analyzes and redefines several key issues such as traditional Toldt space, Gerota fascia and complete mesenteric excision. On this basis, we propose a novel and feasible surgical procedure named regional en bloc mesogastrium excision (rEME) for distal gastric cancer. The concept of en bloc mesogastrium excision (EME) based on membrane anatomy may have some influences on the lymph node grouping from the 'Japanese Classification of Gastric Carcinoma'. Performance of EME may reduce the controversies about the group of lymph nodes and their borders. EME in the infra-pyloric region weakens the significance of subdivision of No.6 lymph nodes into No.6a, No.6v and No.6i. More studies are needed in the construction of a mature theoretical system for practical membrane anatomy in gastric surgery.

[Food environment and its relation to diet behavior and obesity in China]

Objective: In this study, a systematic review was made on scientific evidence regarding the impact of food environment on diet-related behavior and obesity in China. Methods: Search on related keywords and references were conducted from four electronic databases including the Cochrane Library, PubMed, Web of Science, and CNKI. Results: Data showed that good availability, accessibility of neighborhood food outlets had increased the diversity of food, including the intakes of total calories, protein, fat, and carbohydrate; however, the consumption of healthy foods such as fruit and vegetables was reducing among the Chinese residents. The effects of neighborhood food environment on obesity remained inconclusive. A large number of fast food restaurants around schools might be responsible for the increase of risk on obesity among students. Regulations set on the school vicinity food stalls might reduce the intake of sugary beverages, snacks and fast food among students. Conclusion: Building a healthy food environment is warranted to nudge the Chinese people towards a healthier diet pattern. However, more evidence is needed to support the evidence in building a healthy food environment.

[Evaluation of quality of life in patients with Graves orbitopathy and its influencing factors]

Objective: To evaluate life quality of Graves orbitopathy (GO) patients using Graves orbitopathy quality-of-life questionnaire (GO-QOL) and explore the influence factors of the quality of life of GO patients. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted at The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University including 145 newly diagnosed GO patients. All the patient answered the GO-QOL and underwent ophthalmic and endocrine assessments. The main outcome measures were the scores on GO-QOL 2 subscales: visual functioning and appearance. Based on the classification in the guideline of European Group on Graves Orbitopathy (EUGOGO), the patients were divided into two groups: mild and moderate to severe groups. Then the scales between these two groups were compared and influencing factors were analyzed. Finally, the floor and ceiling effects were assessed. Results: The GO-QOL scores for the subscales of visual functioning and appearance were 70.91±27.83 and 61.29±26.37 respectively in 145 GO patients. Visual functioning and appearance were lower in moderate to severe group (62.71±28.77 and 57.52±26.49, respectively) than in mild group (85.58±18.77 and 68.02±24.99, respectively).The GO-QOL scores for the visual functioning subscale were significantly correlated with age (P=0.002), clinical active score (P=0.011) and the degree of diplopia (P=0.00, R(2)=0.373). The GO-QOL scores for the appearance were significantly correlated with sex (P=0.05) and thyroid-stimulating hormone levels (P=0.001, R(2)=0.231). No significant ceiling or floor effects were observed for either subscale of the GO-QOL. Conclusions: With the aggravation of the disease, the quality of life of GO patients is getting worse and worse. The main influencing factors of the quality of life of GO patients include age, gender, diplopia, clinical active score and thyroid-stimulating hormone levels. Close attention needs to be paid to the quality of life of GO patients.