[Analysis of factors influencing the efficacy and prognosis of surgical treatment for primary malignant pelvic bone tumors]

Objective: To analyze the prognostic factors and the influence of surgical margin to prognosis. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed for 208 pelvic tumors who received surgical treatment from January 2000 to December 2017 in our instituition. Survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier method and Log rank test, and impact factor analysis was performed using Cox regression models. Results: There were 183 initial patients and 25 recurrent cases. According to Enneking staging, 110 cases were stage ⅠB and 98 cases were stage ⅡB. 19 lesions were in zone Ⅰ, 1 in zone Ⅱ, 15 in zone Ⅲ, 29 in zone Ⅰ+Ⅱ, 71 in zone Ⅱ+Ⅲ, 29 in zone Ⅰ+Ⅳ, 35 in zone Ⅰ+Ⅱ+Ⅲ, 3 in zone Ⅰ+Ⅱ+Ⅳ, and 6 in zone Ⅰ+Ⅱ+Ⅲ+Ⅳ. Surgical margins including Intralesional excision in 7 cases, contaminated margin in 21 cases, marginal resection in 67 cases, and wide resection in 113 cases. Local recurrence occurred in 37 cases (17.8%), 25 cases were performed by reoperation and 12 cases received amputation finally. The 5-year recurrence rate of marginal resection was higher than wide resection (P＜0.05), and the recurrence-free survival rate of marginal resection was lower than wide resection (P＜0.05). There was significant differences in recurrence rate and recurrence-free survival rate between R0 and R1 resection (P＜0.05). 92 cases were not reconstructed and 116 cases were reconstructed after pelvic surgery. At the last follow-up, 63 patients (30.3%) died, and the 5-year, 10-year and 15-year survival rates were 70.4%, 66.8% and 61.3%, respectively. The 5-year survival rate of stage ⅠB and ⅡB tumor was 90.4% and 46.8%, respectively. There were 29 cases had postoperative wound complications (13.8%), 1 case with pelvic organ injury. The final function was evaluated in 132 patients, with an average MSTS score of 25.1±3.6. Cox multivariate analysis showed that surgical staging, R0/R1 margin and metastasis were independent prognostic factors for pelvic tumors. Conclusions: The safe surgical margin is the key factor for recurrence-free of pelvic tumor. The survival rate of stage ⅡB pelvic tumors was significantly lower than that of stage ⅠB tumors. Wound infection is the main postoperative complication. Surgical staging, R0/R1 margin and metastasis were independent prognostic factors of pelvic tumors.

LncRNA MIR497HG inhibits proliferation and migration of retinal endothelial cells under high-level glucose treatment via miRNA-128-3p/SIRT1 axis

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to elucidate the potential influence of MIR497HG on regulating proliferative capacity of human retinal endothelial cells (HRECs).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Relative expression levels of MIR497HG, microRNA-128-3p (miRNA-128-3p) and SIRT1 in HRECs treated with different doses of glucose and mannitol were detected by quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR). Dual-Luciferase reporter gene assay was conducted to assess the interaction among MIR497HG, miRNA-128-3p, and SIRT1. In addition, the potential effects of MIR497HG/miRNA-128-3p/SIRT1 axis on proliferative and migratory capacities in HRECs were evaluated by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), 5-Ethynyl-2'- deoxyuridine (EdU) and transwell assay, respectively.

RESULTS

High-level glucose (HG) treatment significantly downregulated MIR497HG and SIRT1 expression, whereas upregulated miRNA-128-3p expression in HRECs (p<0.05). MiRNA-128-3p was the target gene binding MIR497HG, and SIRT1 was the downstream gene of miRNA-128-3p. Overexpression of MIR497HG significantly attenuated proliferative and migratory abilities of HG-induced HRECs (p<0.05). Furthermore, decreased trends were partially reversed by overexpression of miRNA-128-3p or knockdown of SIRT1.

CONCLUSIONS

MIR497HG is downregulated after HG treatment. In addition, it suppresses the proliferation and migration of HRECs by targeting miRNA-128-3p/SIRT1 axis, thus influencing the progression of diabetic retinopathy.

[Predictive value of sentinel lymph node biopsy in prognosis of acral melanoma]

Objective: To explore the application of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) and its prognostic value in the treatment of acral melanoma. Methods: We retrospective analyzed 118 patients who underwent sentinel lymph node biopsy from Mar 2012 to Jun 2019 with effective follow-up data available in our institute. We ruled out palpable regional lymph node metastasis with preoperative imaging of MRI and ultrasonography, used the (99)Tc(m)-Dextran (Dx) as a tracer, with intraoperative γ-ray probe positioning for SLN capture. Wide resection and reconstruction in primary lesion followed by complete lymph node dissection were underwent SLN positive patients. Cox regression model were used to analyze the prognostic factors. Results: The patients had an average disease history of 53.6 months (2-360 months), the primary lesion located at hands and feet in 84 cases, while 27 cases were subungual and 7 cases were cutaneous. The mean Breslow depth was 3.6 mm, and 72 cases (61.0%) combined with ulceration. The average number of SLN was 2.8, the SLN positive rate was 24.6% (29/118), and the false-negative rate was 2.5% (3/118). There were 24 cases (20.3%) developed clinically positive metastasis, including 7 cases displayed distant metastasis combined with lymph node metastasis (5.9%), 8 cases with clinically positive lymph node metastasis alone (6.8%), and 9 cases with distant metastasis (7.6%). There were 33 patients in stage Ⅰ, 56 patients in stage Ⅱ and 29 patients in stage Ⅲ, with a 5-years overall survival rate of 69.5%. The Breslow depth is an independent risk factor of SLN positive. While Breslow depth, SLN status, SLN positive number and clinically detectable metastasis are independent prognostic factors of the overall survival (P<0.05). Conclusions: Patients without clinically positive regional lymph node metastasis under imaging and physical examinations, SLNB can provide accurate pathologic staging and play an accurate prediction role in the prognostic evaluation. SLNB should be carried out routinely in clinical practice.

[Surgical treatment of giant cell tumors with pathological fracture around the knee]

Objective: To compare the local recurrent rate, the persistence of reconstruction and functional recovery of Giant Cell Tumor (GCT) after the treatments of extensive curettage or resection. Methods: A retrospective review was conducted on the clinical data of 50 patients who had giant cell tumor with pathological tracture around the knee treated in our hospital from January 2001 to July 2014. There were 30 males and 20 females. The average age was 33.7 years respectively (range, 17 to 71 years). The fracture localizations of 45 cases were distal femur and of 5 cases were proximal tibia. According to AO fracture classification, 3 cases were in type A, 36 cases in type B and 11 cases in type C. In Campanicci system for image grading study, 5 cases were in grade Ⅱ and 45 cases in grade Ⅲ. Surgical treatment included 20 cases of extensive curettage and 30 cases of resection. The surgical reconstructive methods included 16 cases of cement reconstruction with internal fixation, 5 cases of unicompartmental arthroplasty with allograft, 1 case of segment osteoarticular allograft transplantation and 28 cases of prosthesis replacement. Final statistical analysis of surgery and therapeutic effect were carried out by SPSS, version 16.0 for Windows. Enrolling parameters collected gender, age, location, fracture type, surgical treatment, surgical margin, reconstruction, complications, local recurrence (LR) and functional evaluation. Categorical data were described by result frequencies.The comparison of the rate was performed by chi-square or Fisher's exact test. Between the two groups compared using independent t-test. The recurrence-free survival was estimated by the method of Kaplan-Meier. Results: The mean postoperative follow-up time was 66.9 months (range, 24-149 months). Four patients developed local recurrence (4/50, 8.0%)including 3 cases of curettage group (3/20, 15.0%)and 1 case of resection group (1/30, 3.3%), there was no significant difference between curettage and resection group (P=0.289). The comparison of local recurrence between this curettage group (3/20, 15.0%) and the GCT group without fracture published before(10/116, 8.6%) in our institution also had no significant difference (P=0.407). There was no significant difference among the three types of fracture regarding the rate of local recurrence (P=0.160), but there was significant difference in the choice of surgical procedures for different fracture types (P=0.006). The complications: 2 patients (2/20, 10.0%)had joint degeneration in curettage group. 15 cases (15/30, 50.0%) had complications in resection group, 1 case of unicompartmental arthroplasty allograft absorption, 2 cases of infection and 12 cases of aseptic loosening after prosthesis replacement (including 1 case with periprosthetic fracture and 1 case with prosthesis fracture). The postoperative complications in curettage group had a significant reduction (P=0.005) when compared with the resection group. The mean score of functional evaluation with Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) for curettage and resection group were (93.5±6.5)% and (82.6±12.9)% (F=4.838, P=0.033). Conclusions: (1) Extensive curettage did not increase the risk of local recurrence of giant cell tumor with pathological fracture around the knee. (2)The different fracture type had no effect on the local recurrence rate, but affect the decision of surgical procedures options. (3)The reconstructive complications in resection group was significant higher than curettage group, and the postoperative function of curettage group was better than resection group.

[Research advances in diagnosis and treatment of liver failure in 2016]

Liver failure has various clinical types, a complex pathogenesis, and rapid disease progression, as well as a high mortality rate. Liver failure caused by hepatitis B virus infection is the most common type in China with severe conditions, various complications, and a mortality rate as high as 40%-90%. Invasive fungal disease secondary to acute-on-chronic liver failure can affect patients' prognosis and increase mortality rate. This article introduces the research advances in hepatitis B-related liver failure, artificial liver, and invasive fungal disease secondary to acute-on-chronic liver failure in 2016.

[Autologous external jugular vein grafting to reconstruct segmental common carotid-internal carotid artery: one case report]

We reported a case of carotid body tumor (Shamblin classification, typeⅢ) patient on whom the tumor was tightly adhered to the carotid bifurcation and the carotid artery broke during the surgery,then autologous external jugular vein was employed to reconstruct the segmental defect of common-internal carotid artery after the tumor and involved common-internal carotid artery was resected. The patient felt no complaint during the two-year follow-up. Duplex scan demonstrated the patency of transplanted external jugular vein was a good graft without formation of aneurysm. At the time of 2 years after surgery, the transplanted vein arterialized without obvious stricture. This case implies that the external jugular vein grafting is a candidate for reconstruction of segmental carotid artery.

Investigation of giant magnetoconductance in organic devices based on hopping mechanism

We suggest a spin-dependent hopping mechanism which includes the effect of the external magnetic field as well as hyperfine interaction (HFI) to explain the observed giant magnetoconductance (MC) in non-magnetic organic devices. Based on the extended Marcus theory, we calculate the MC by using the master equation. It is found that a MC value as large as 91% is obtained under a low driving voltage. For suitable parameters, the theoretical results are in good agreement with the experimental data. Influences of the carrier density, HFI, and the carrier localization on the MC value are investigated. Especially, it is found that a low-dimensional structure of the organic materials is favorable to get a large MC value.

Preparation and characterization of Mn and (Mn, Cu) co-doped ZnO nanostructures

We report on the ferromagnetic characteristics of Zn(1-x)Mn(x)O nanorods synthesized by a seed-mediated solution method. The as-doped ZnO nanorods had a length about 200 nm and a diameter ranging from 20 to 30 nm. Magnetic property measurements revealed that the Zn(1-x)Mn(x)O nanorods exhibited weak ferromagnetism at 305 K. Similar solution method were also employed to fabricate the (Mn, Cu) co-doped nanostructures. The presence of Cu2+ was found to change the nanorod morphology (in the case of pure ZnO) to nanoparticle. On the other hand, not only the hysteresis curve saturated at lower magnetic field, but also the saturation magnetization was increased with the Cu doping. Transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Photoluminescence analysis suggested that the room temperature (RT) ferromagnetism could be originated from the Mn2+ doped into the ZnO lattice, and additional carriers due to the Cu co-doping may enhance the room temperature ferromagnetism in the Mn:ZnO system.

Selective Growth of Vertical-aligned ZnO Nanorod Arrays on Si Substrate by Catalyst-free Thermal Evaporation

By thermal evaporation of pure ZnO powders, high-density vertical-aligned ZnO nanorod arrays with diameter ranged in 80–250 nm were successfully synthesized on Si substrates covered with ZnO seed layers. It was revealed that the morphology, orientation, crystal, and optical quality of the ZnO nanorod arrays highly depend on the crystal quality of ZnO seed layers, which was confirmed by the characterizations of field-emission scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and photoluminescence measurements. For ZnO seed layer with wurtzite structure, the ZnO nanorods grew exactly normal to the substrate with perfect wurtzite structure, strong near-band-edge emission, and neglectable deep-level emission. The nanorods synthesized on the polycrystalline ZnO seed layer presented random orientation, wide diameter, and weak deep-level emission. This article provides a C-free and Au-free method for large-scale synthesis of vertical-aligned ZnO nanorod arrays by controlling the crystal quality of the seed layer.

Effect of total flavonoids of hippophae rhamnoides on contractile mechanics and calcium transfer in stretched myocyte

OBJECTIVE

To study the role of total flavonoids of hippophae rhamnoides in improving contractile [correction of contactile] function of stretched cardiac myocyte.

METHOD

Flavonoids were given to stretched myocytes which were proved their contractile function decline and then myocyte contractile mechanics characteristics and calcium transfer were measured.

RESULT

Flavonoids increased myocyte contractility, as indicated by myocyte shortening, velocity of shortening, peak +dL/dt and peak -dL/dt during shortening, in a concentration-dependent manner (r>0.9, P<0.001), and with no relation to the intracellular calcium transfer in the myocytes.

CONCLUSION

Flavonoids of the traditional Chinese drug hippophae rhamnoides is effective in improving the contractile function of stretched cardiac myocyte in low dosage.

Scavenging effects of tetramethylpyrazine on active oxygen free radicals

The scavenging effects of tetramethylpyrazine (ligustrazine, Lig) isolated from Ligusticum wallichii Franch on active oxygen free radicals were studied using spin trapping technic and chemiluminescence methods. The scavenging rate of superoxide anion (O2-.) by Lig (25 mg.ml-1) was 100% in xanthine/xanthine oxidase (Xan/XO) system, and that of hydroxyl radical (OH-.) was 44% in Fenton's reaction. The scavenging rate of lipid peroxyl radical (LOO-.) by Lig (25 mg.ml-1) was 80% in peroxidizing microsome system. It is possible that Lig scavenged O2-. by catalyzing its spontaneous dismutation. The results showed that Lig had strong effects of scavenging cyotoxic oxygen free radicals (O2-., LOO-., OH-.).

Changes in female sexual behavior of old female rats: comparison between exit method and non-exit method

The female sexual behavior including proceptivity, receptivity and sociosexual behavior of preferential approach to males was tested in 12 young adult female rats aged from 6 to 7 months and in 59 old female rats aged from 18 to 21 months with the exit method and the traditional non-exit method. The percentage of rats displaying a high lordosis quotient (LQ) and that of rats showing solicitation were lower in old females than in young females tested either with the non-exit method or the exit method. Only with the non-exit method were the mount frequency per minute of male rats toward old females of the high-LQ group and the solicitation score of old female rats lower as compared to young females. The incidence of preferential approach of the female rats, whether young or old, toward intact young males and their time spent in the compartment of intact young males were not different, however, the frequency of old female rats to visit the arena of intact young males was lower than that of young females. In summary, the major age-related changes in female sexual behavior, the low percentage of rats displaying high LQ and of rats showing solicitation, are quite robust and environmentally independent.

Flow field-flow fractionation: new method for separating, purifying, and characterizing the diffusivity of viruses

The nature and theory of flow field-flow fractionation is described, and its potential applicability to virus-like particles is discussed. Different virus types are shown to be retained at different levels. Retention can be controlled by variation of the experimental parameters, in good agreement with theory. However, a mild adsorption effect is indicated and requires the development of alternate strategies for measuring diffusion coefficients. For Qbeta, our value agrees well within 10% of literature values; the values obtained for other viruses, using Abeta as an internal standard, are untested. Finally, it is demonstrated that flow field-flow fractionation can cleanly fractionate two viruses from one another and from an albumin impurity, that samples as large as several milligrams in size can be analyzed, and that the method has potential utility in the quantitative and qualitative analysis of virus systems.

Flow-field-flow fractionation: a versatile new separation method

Flow-field-fractionation is a new separation technique that seems likely to have broad applicability. Its theoretical scope includes any solute for which one can find a solvent and a semipermeable membrane. The principles on which the technique is based are presented. Some experiments with polystyrene beads, viruses, and proteins verify that retention depends solely on diffusion coefficients.