[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.

Glutathione-dependent redox homeostasis is critical for chlorothalonil detoxification in tomato leaves

Glutathione plays a critical role in plant growth, development and response to stress. It is a major cellular antioxidant and is involved in the detoxification of xenobiotics in many organisms, including plants. However, the role of glutathione-dependent redox homeostasis and associated molecular mechanisms regulating the antioxidant system and pesticide metabolism remains unclear. In this study, endogenous glutathione levels were manipulated by pharmacological treatments with glutathione synthesis inhibitors and oxidized glutathione. The application of oxidized glutathione enriched the cellular oxidation state, reduced the activity and transcript levels of antioxidant enzymes, upregulated the expression level of nitric oxide and Ca2+ related genes and the content, and increased the residue of chlorothalonil in tomato leaves. Further experiments confirmed that glutathione-induced redox homeostasis is critical for the reduction of pesticide residues. RNA sequencing analysis revealed that miRNA156 and miRNA169 that target transcription factor SQUAMOSA-Promoter Binding Proteins (SBP) and NUCLEAR FACTOR Y (NFY) potentially participate in glutathione-mediated pesticide degradation in tomato plants. Our study provides important clues for further dissection of pesticide degradation mechanisms via miRNAs in plants.

Jasmonic acid promotes glutathione assisted degradation of chlorothalonil during tomato growth

Glutathione (GSH) biosynthesis and regeneration play a significant role in the metabolism of chlorothalonil (CHT) in tomatoes. However, the specific regulatory mechanism of GSH in the degradation of CHT remains uncertain. To address this, we investigate the critical regulatory pathways in the degradation of residual CHT in tomatoes. The results revealed that the detoxification of CHT residue in tomatoes was inhibited by buthionine sulfoximine and oxidized glutathione pretreatment, which increased by 26% and 46.12% compared with control, respectively. Gene silencing of γECS, GS, and GR also compromised the CHT detoxification potential of plants, which could be alleviated by GSH application and decreased the CHT accumulation by 33%, 25%, and 21%, respectively. Notably, it was found that the jasmonic acid (JA) pathway participated in the degradation of CHT regulated by GSH. CHT residues reduced by 28% after application of JA. JA played a role downstream of the glutathione pathway by promoting the degradation of CHT residue in tomatoes via nitric oxide signaling and improving the gene expression of antioxidant and detoxification-related enzymes. This study unveiled a crucial regulatory mechanism of GSH via the JA pathway in CHT degradation in tomatoes and offered new insights for understanding residual pesticide degradation.

[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.

Synthesis, crystal structures and magnetic properties of a series of chair-like heterometallic [Fe4Ln2] (Ln = GdIII, DyIII, HoIII, and ErIII) complexes with mixed organic ligands

Four chair-like hexanuclear Fe-Ln complexes containing mixed organic ligands, namely, [Fe₄Ln₂{(py)₂CO₂}₄(pdm)₂(NO₃)₂(H₂O)₂Cl₄]·xCH₃CN·yH₂O (Ln = Gd^III (1, x = 1, y = 0), Dy^III (2, x = 1, y = 1), Ho^III (3, x = 0, y = 2), and Er^III (4, x = 1, y = 3); (py)₂CO₂H₂ = the gem-diol form of di-2-pyridyl ketone and pdmH₂ = 2,6-pyridinedimethanol) have been obtained by employing di-2-pyridyl ketone and 2,6-pyridinedimethanol reacting with FeCl₃ and Ln(NO₃)₃ in MeCN. The structures of 1-4 are similar to each other except for the number of lattice solvent molecules. Four Fe^III and two Ln^III in these complexes comprise a chair-like core with the "body" constructed by four Fe^III ions and the "end" constructed by two Ln^III ions. Among the four compounds, 2 shows field-induced single molecule magnet behavior as revealed by ac magnetic susceptibility studies, with the effective energy barrier and the pre-exponential factor of 22.07 K and 8.44 × 10^-7 s, respectively. Ab initio calculations indicated that, among 2_Dy, 3_Ho and 4_Er fragments, the energy gap between the lowest two spin-orbit states for 2_Dy is the largest, while the tunneling gap for 2 is the smallest. These might be the reasons for complex 2 exhibiting SMM behavior. Additionally, the orientations of the magnetic anisotropy of Dy^III in 2 were obtained by electrostatic calculations and ab initio calculations, both indicating that the directions of the main magnetic axis of Dy1 ions are almost aligned along Dy1-O5 (O5 from the pdm^2- ligand).

Synthesis, crystal structures and magnetic properties of a series of pentanuclear heterometallic [CuII3LnIII2] (Ln = Ho, Dy, and Gd) complexes containing mixed organic ligands

Three novel heterometallic compounds [CuII3LnIII2] [Ln = Ho (1), Dy (2) and Gd (3)] containing mixed organic ligands were obtained. 1 and 2 show slow magnetic relaxation behaviour.

[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.

Syntheses, crystal structures, and magnetic properties of a family of heterometallic octanuclear [Cu6Ln2] (Ln = Dy(iii), Tb(iii), Ho(iii), Er(iii), and Gd(iii)) complexes

Five novel [Cu₆Ln₂] complexes were synthesized, wherein Ln^III ions are seven-coordinate and coordinated by one triethanolamine and three di-2-pyridyl ketone ligands, without coordinated solvent molecules and small anions.

Two unprecedented decanuclear heterometallic [MnII2MnIII6LnIII2] (Ln = Dy, Tb) complexes displaying relaxation of magnetization

The synthesis and magnetic properties of two novel [Mn₈Ln₂] complexes containing the gem-diol form of di-2-pyridyl ketone and triethanolamine were investigated.

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.

[Salt resistance of different tomato genotypes at seed germination stage]

Based on the cluster analysis of relative germination potential and relative germination rate under NaCl stress, fourteen tomato genotypes were clustered into two groups. Five tomato genotypes held high resistance to NaCl stress, and nine tomato genotypes were moderately NaCl- tolerant. The highly NaCl- tolerant genotypes wild Lycopersicon pimpinellifolium, Liaoyuanhongmanao and Hongbaoshi and the moderately NaCl- tolerant genotype Liaoyuanhongduoli were then under different Na(+)-salts and NaCl, Na+, and Cl- stresses. The responses of the four tomato genotypes to different Na(+)-salts stress were the same as those to NaCl stress. Among the test Na(+)-salts, NaHCO3 had the greatest impact. Under the stress of 100 mmol NaHCO3 x L(-1), the embryo's relative lengths of the four tomato genotypes were all below 8%. The inhibitory effect of test Na(+)-salts on tomato seed germination was in the order of NaNO3 < Na2SO4 < NaH2PO4 < NaCl < NaHCO3. As for NaCl, Na+ and Cl-, the Cl- had the smallest injury.

[Effects of salicylic acid on sucrose metabolism of tomato seedlings under NaCl stress]

A water culture experiment was conducted with the seedlings of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) cultivar Liaoyuanduoli to study the effects of salicylic acid (SA) on their sucrose metabolism under NaCl stress. The seedlings were treated with different concentrations (100, 300, and 500 mg x L(-1)) of SA, and the contents of sucrose, glucose, and fructose as well as the related enzyme activities of sucrose metabolism, including acid invertase (AI), neutral invertase (NI), sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS), and sucrose synthase (SS), in seedling leaves were determined. Under NaCl stress, SA could maintain or enhance the leaf fructose and glucose contents and the leaf AI, NI, SPS and SS activities, with the highest increment of fructose and glucose contents being 30.0% and 31.1% and that of AI, NI, SPS and SS activities being 24.7%, 27.9%, 22.0% and 24.5%, respectively, in comparing with no SA application, while had less effect on the leaf sucrose content, which suggested that SA could play a protective role in the NaCl-tolerance of tomato seedlings via enhancing the leaf invertase activity to increase leaf fructose and glucose contents. The best alleviating effect was observed at 500 mg x L(-1) of SA.

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.