[Diaphragmatic dysfunction post-COVID-19 infection: report of two cases]

Following the global outbreak of COVID-19, many patients have suffered from multi-system complications and long-term sequelae caused by the virus. Diaphragm dysfunction is an obscure post-COVID-19 symptom. Although a few cases of diaphragm dysfunction caused by COVID-19 infection have been reported abroad, there are no relevant reports in China. Herein, we present two cases of patients with respiratory distress after COVID-19 infection. On admission, dynamic chest radiographs revealed diaphragm dysfunction in these patients. Further investigations including diaphragm ultrasound, neurophysiological examinations, transdiaphragmatic pressure measurements cranial MRI, and antibody testing for autoimmune diseases, were conducted. The final diagnoses were severe myasthenia gravis induced by COVID-19 infection and diaphragmatic nerve and muscle involvement caused by COVID-19 infection. Both patients showed improvement in symptoms after treatment. Therefore, we summarized our case, with a review of the relevant literature to improve the understanding of the disease and to provide clinical evidence for future diagnosis and treatment.

[Psychological problems in breast cancer patients should be taken seriously]

With the transformation of the biopsychosocial medical model, psychological problems and related interventions for breast cancer patients have received more and more attention. Patients often have various psychological problems, in diagnosis, treatment, and even in the state of disease-free survival, such as anxiety and depression, which not only seriously reduces the quality of life, but also affects the follow-up treatment and increases the risk of recurrence and metastasis. Therefore, physicians should perform routine psychological screening and appropriate intervention for patients. In recent years, psychological intervention has gradually become an important part of comprehensive breast cancer treatment, in which cognitive behavior therapy can alleviate patients' anxiety and sleep disorders, mindfulness therapy can treat patients' anxiety, depression and fear of cancer recurrence, and psychoeducational support is mainly used to address patients' mood disorders and sexual dysfunction. Improving patients' compliance with treatment and quality of life is the main goal of psychological intervention for breast cancer patients.

[An analysis of breast cancer patients with ultrasound BI-RADS 3 lesions after minimally invasive excision in clinicopathological features and influencing factors of residual tumor]

Objectives: To examine the clinicopathological characteristics and the influencing factors of the residual tumor of patients with Breast Image Report and Data System (BI-RADS) grade 3 lesions diagnosed with malignancy after minimally invasive excision. Methods: In this retrospective case-control study, clinicopathological data of 69 cases, which had been evaluated as BI-RADS 3 lesions by ultrasound (4 151 cases) diagnosed with breast cancer by minimally invasive excision pathology, were analyzed between May 2012 and June 2016 at the Department of Breast Surgery of the Second Hospital of Shandong University and Linyi People's Hospital. All patients were female, aged (43.4±8.2) years (range: 22 to 70 years). Based on residual tumor after minimally invasive excision, patients were classified into two subgroups: tumor residual group (n=39) and non-tumor residual group (n=30). The clinicopathological features between the two groups were compared. The differences in clinicopathological characteristics were compared in different groups using the χ2 test and the t test. Potential variables identified in the univariate analysis and other relevant variables will be analyzed multivarially using Logistic regression models. The Kaplan-Meier method was applied for survival analysis and survival curves. Results: The breast cancer detection rate of ultrasound BI-RADS 3 lesions was 1.66% (69/4 151), and their maximum diameter of the masses was (1.27±0.45) cm (range: 0.5 to 2.3 cm). Among them, the maximum diameter were ≤1 cm in 28 cases and >1 cm in 41 cases. Histopathological results showed carcinoma in situ in 24 cases and invasive carcinoma in 41 cases, positive expression of the estrogen receptor in 47 cases, positive expression of the progesterone receptor in 43 cases, Ki-67 proliferation index elevated in 26 cases. Axillary metastasis positive rate was 10.1% (7/69). Residual tumor after minimally invasive surgery was found in 39 cases (56.5%). Univariate analysis showed that the tumour residual group showed a significantly increased rate of positive expression of the estrogen receptor (91.9%(34/37) vs. 61.9%(13/21), χ2=7.838, P=0.012). In multivariate analysis, the only variable found to significantly affect the residual tumor was the positive expression of the estrogen receptor (OR=16.852, 95%CI: 1.819 to 156.130, P=0.013). The 5-year disease-free survival rate of breast cancer patients with breast ultrasound BI-RADS 3 lesions was 97.1% and the overall survival rate was 98.6%. Conclusions: BI-RADS 3 lesions diagnosed by ultrasound undergoing ultrasound-guided minimally invasive excision have a certain risk of detected malignancy, approximately 1.66%. Patients with positive expression of the estrogen receptor are more likely to develop residual tumor. A secondary operation should be considered to ensure that no tumor residues remain in the cavity.

[Long-term clinical evaluation of different types of resin-bonded fixed partial denture to replace lost anterior teeth]

Objective: To evaluate the clinical survival rates and influence factors of different types of resin-bonded fixed partial dentures (RBFPD) used in anterior missing teeth restoration. Methods: Ninety-three RBFPD were delivered to 92 patients [92 patients,43 males and 49 females, average age (46.1±12.8) years] who visited Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology from January 2006 to December 2021 for restoration of 1 or 2 anterior missing teeth. Altogether 32 cases of glass fiber reinforced RBFPD, 39 cases of glass-based ceramic RBFPD and 22 cases of porcelain-fused-to-metal RBFPD were retrospectively analyzed. The complete survival rate, functional survival rate, patients' satisfaction and color matching of the restorations were recorded and evaluated every year since the replacement with RBFPD. The Kaplan-Meier survival curve method was used for survival analysis, and the Log-rank analysis was used to compare the effect of the number of missing teeth, position (maxillary or mandibular), cantilever or non-cantilever and gender on the survival rate of the restorations. Results: The overall survival time for the 93 RBFPD was 13.7 years (95%CI: 12.3-15.1 years). There was a decreasing trend in complete survival and functional survival for all three material RBFPD from year to year, but complete and functional survival rates exceeded 90% at year 5 and exceeded 80% at year 10. The complete survival rate of the glass-ceramic RBFPD was higher than the other two during the follow-up period, with a complete survival rate of 90% (35/39) at year 15. The porcelain-fused-to-metal RBFPD had a higher functional survival rate in years 1-8, but the complete and functional survival rates showed a substantial decrease after year 9. The single-factor Log-rank analysis showed that the success rate of porcelain-fused-to-metal RBFPD was significantly higher than that of glass fiber reinforced RBFPD (χ²=7.33, P=0.007), and the success rate of RBFPD with 1 missing tooth restored was significantly higher than that of RBFPD with 2 missing teeth restored (χ²=3.23, P=0.072). The differences in success rates between different restoration positions (maxillary and mandibular), cantilever or non-cantilever, and gender factors were not statistically significant (χ²=2.26, P=0.133; χ²=0.68, P=0.411; χ²=1.07, P=0.300). Conclusions: For the restoration of individual missing anterior teeth, both porcelain-fused-to-metal RBFPD and glass-based ceramic RBFPD achieve a high long-term clinical success rate, with glass-based ceramic RBFPD being more able to ensure long-term restorative result.

Information-based continuous nursing on pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus

OBJECTIVE

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a serious pregnancy complication, and women with undiagnosed diabetes mellitus can develop chronic hyperglycemia during pregnancy. The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of information-based continuity of care on glucose levels, health awareness, and maternal and infant outcomes in pregnant women with GDM, thereby providing a basis for the clinical implementation of effective interventions for GDM to reduce or avoid adverse outcomes due to GDM.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

One hundred and sixty cases of pregnant women with GDM who underwent treatment in the obstetrics and gynecology department of our hospital from June 2019 to September 2021 were randomly selected as the study population and divided into the control group (n=80) and the study group (n=80). Women in the control group were received with conventional nursing intervention, and those in the study group were obtained with information-based continuity of care on the basis of the control group. Basic clinical data were collected. The levels of fasting blood glucose (FBG), 2h postprandial glucose (2hPG), knowledge of health education, treatment compliance scores, and changes in delivery outcomes were compared between the two groups. According to the maternal blood glucose control level, 160 pregnant women with GDM were divided into the better control group (143 cases) and the poor control group (17 cases). The risk factors affecting the level of maternal glycemic control in gestational diabetes were analyzed.

RESULTS

After the intervention, the levels of FBG and 2hPG were significantly lower in both groups than those before the intervention, while the levels of FBG and 2hPG in the study group were notably lower than those in the control group. The health education knowledge score and treatment compliance score after the intervention were significantly higher than those before the intervention, and the health education knowledge score and treatment compliance score in the study group were observably higher than those in the control group (p<0.01). The adverse pregnancy outcomes of pregnant women in the study group were significantly reduced compared with those in the control group (p<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that body mass index (BMI), dietary control, literacy, and information-based continuity of care were all influential factors for maternal glycemic control level (p<0.05). Among the influencing factors, dietary control and continuity of care had clinical value in predicting maternal glycemic control levels in gestational diabetes.

CONCLUSIONS

Continuous nursing based on informatization can effectively control the blood glucose level of pregnant women with GDM, improve the treatment compliance of pregnant women and the awareness rate of gestational diabetes knowledge so as to reduce the occurrence of adverse pregnancy outcomes and improve the health level. In addition, BMI and dietary control are independent risk factors that affect the blood glucose control level of pregnant women. Relevant intervention measures should be formulated according to the relevant influencing factors to effectively control the blood glucose level of pregnant women with GDM and improve maternal and infant outcomes.

Direct Measurement of the Branching Fractions B(ψ(3686)→J/ψX) and B(ψ(3770)→J/ψX), and Observation of the State R(3760) in e^{+}e^{-}→J/ψX

We report a measurement of the observed cross sections of e^{+}e^{-}→J/ψX based on 3.21  fb^{-1} of data accumulated at energies from 3.645 to 3.891 GeV with the BESIII detector operated at the BEPCII collider. In analysis of the cross sections, we measured the decay branching fractions of B(ψ(3686)→J/ψX)=(64.4±0.6±1.6)% and B(ψ(3770)→J/ψX)=(0.5±0.2±0.1)% for the first time. The energy-dependent line shape of these cross sections cannot be well described by two Breit-Wigner (BW) amplitudes of the expected decays ψ(3686)→J/ψX and ψ(3770)→J/ψX. Instead, it can be better described with one more BW amplitude of the decay R(3760)→J/ψX. Under this assumption, we extracted the R(3760) mass M_{R(3760)}=3766.2±3.8±0.4  MeV/c^{2} , total width Γ_{R(3760)}^{tot}=22.2±5.9±1.4  MeV, and product of leptonic width and decay branching fraction Γ_{R(3760)}^{ee}B[R(3760)→J/ψX]=(79.4±85.5±11.7)  eV. The significance of the R(3760) is 5.3σ. The first uncertainties of these measured quantities are from fits to the cross sections and second systematic.

[Molecular epidemiology of norovirus associated with pediatric acute gastroenteritis in Beijing in 2020]

Objective: To investigate the molecular epidemiology of norovirus associated with pediatric acute gastroenteritis in Beijing under the Working Mechanism for Joint Prevention and Control of the Epidemic in 2020. Methods: This was a retrospective, repeated cross-sectional study. Fecal or vomit samples (1 213 cases) were collected from children visited the Capital Institute of Pediatrics Affiliated Children's Hospital for acute gastroenteritis from January 1 to December 31, 2020. First, real-time reverse PCR (RT-PCR) was used to screen the samples for norovirus, and then RdRp gene and capsid gene VP1 of norovirus-positive samples were amplified by conventional RT-PCR for genotyping based on the nucleotide sequence. The χ² test was used to compare the positive rates and genotypes of norovirus among different specimen types, genders of children, and different age groups. Results: Among the 1 213 samples were collected, 215 samples were positive for norovirus, with a positivity rate of 17.7% for the whole year. The peak of norovirus infection observed mainly in the cold seasons, as the positive rates were 28.6% (18/63), 26.2% (16/61), 22.8% (77/338) and 17.1% (89/520) in January, October, November and December, respectively. The positive rate of norovirus in fecal sample was significantly higher than that in vomit sample (χ² = 9.692, P<0.01). There was no significant difference between genders (χ²=0.041, P>0.05), but significant difference was found between age groups with the highest rate in the 6-48 months group (χ²=103.112, P<0.01). Three genogroups (GⅠ, GⅡ and GⅨ) of the circulating virus were detected by G-gene typing, and GⅡgenogroup was predominant, accounting for 98.5% (196/199). Among the GⅡ positive samples, genotype GⅡ.4 Sydney (55.1%, 108/196) was the most common, followed by GⅡ.2 (29.6%, 58/196), while the GⅡ.3 norovirus (10.2%, 20/196) which was common in previous years was not as much as before. Based on the P-type, GⅡ.P16 was predominant (61.5%, 96/156), followed by GII.P31 (19.9%, 31/156). The dual genotyping revealed that GⅡ.4 Sydney [P16] (36.4%, 56/154) and GⅡ.2 [P16] (24.7%, 38/154) were predominant. Conclusion: The prevalence of norovirus in children in 2020 in Beijing is not much different from those of the previous years, but the genotypes composition has changed significantly, and there are multiple genotypes circulating simultaneously.

[Roles of adenosine monophosphate activated protein kinase in skeletal muscle atrophy in rats with severe scald]

Objective: To investigate the expression and phosphorylation level change of adenosine monophosphate activated protein kinase (AMPK) in skeletal muscle of severely scald rats and its roles in skeletal muscle atrophy in severely scalded rats. Methods: The experimental research method was applied. Totally 100 6-week-old male Wistar rats were divided into sham injury group and scald group according to the random number table, with 50 rats in each group. After weighing the body weight, rats in scald group were inflicted with full-thickness scald of 30% total body surface area on the back, and rats in sham injury group were simulated with scald. At 6 h and on 1, 3, 5, and 7 d post injury, 10 rats in each group were taken to measure their body weights and weights of extensor digitorum longus and soleus muscle. At 6 h and on 1, 3, 5, and 7 d post injury, the tibialis anterior muscles were collected, the mRNA expressions of muscle atrophy F-box protein (MAFbx) and muscle-specific RING finger protein 1 (MuRF1) were detected by real-time fluorescent quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction; the content of adenosine monophosphate (AMP), adenosine diphosphate, and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) were detected by high performance liquid chromatography, and AMP/ATP ratio and energy charge were calculated; the protein expressions of AMPK-α and phosphorylated AMPK-α (p-AMPK-α) were detected by Western blotting, and the p-AMPK-α/AMPK-α ratio was calculated, with sample number of 4 in each time point of each group. Data were statistically analyzed with analysis of variance for factorial design and least significant difference test. Results: The body weights of rats in 2 groups before injury and at each time point post injury were close (P>0.05). At 6 h post injury, the weight of extensor digitorum longus of rats in scald group was (0.107±0.007) g, which was significantly heavier than (0.086±0.0607) g of sham injury group (P<0.01). On 3 d post injury, the weight of extensor digitorum longus of rats in scald group was (0.083±0.016) g, which was significantly lighter than (0.102±0.005) g of sham injury group (P<0.01). The weight of soleus of rats in 2 groups were close at each time point post injury (P>0.05). Compared with those of sham injury group, the mRNA expression of MAFbx in tibialis anterior muscle of rats in scald group was significantly up-regulated at 6 h post injury (P<0.01), and the mRNA expressions of MuRF1 in tibial anterior muscle of rats in scald group were significantly up-regulated at 6 h and on 1 d post injury (P<0.01). At 6 h and on 7 d post injury, compared with those of false injury group, the AMP/ATP ratios of the tibial anterior muscle of rats in scald group were significantly increased (P<0.05 or P<0.01), and energy charges of the tibial anterior muscle of rats in scald group were significantly decreased (P<0.01). At each time point post injury, the protein expressions of AMPK-α of the tibial anterior muscle of rats in 2 groups were close (P>0.05). The p-AMPK-α/AMPK-α ratios of the tibial anterior muscle of rats in scald group at 6 h and on 7 d post injury were significantly higher than those in sham injury group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Conclusions: The decrease in energy charge and increase in AMP/ATP ratio of skeletal muscle of rats after severe scald activate AMPK. The activation of AMPK in the early stage of injury is consistent with the up-regulation of MAFbx and MuRF1 expressions and down-regulation of skeletal muscle weight. The above-mentioned changes may be one of the molecular mechanisms of skeletal muscle atrophy in rats with severe scald.

Gamma-Ray Observation of the Cygnus Region in the 100-TeV Energy Region

We report observations of gamma-ray emissions with energies in the 100-TeV energy region from the Cygnus region in our Galaxy. Two sources are significantly detected in the directions of the Cygnus OB1 and OB2 associations. Based on their positional coincidences, we associate one with a pulsar PSR J2032+4127 and the other mainly with a pulsar wind nebula PWN G75.2+0.1, with the pulsar moving away from its original birthplace situated around the centroid of the observed gamma-ray emission. This work would stimulate further studies of particle acceleration mechanisms at these gamma-ray sources.

[Effects of Janus kinase/signal transduction and activator of transcription 3 pathway inhibitor in skeletal muscle function in severely burned rats and its mechanism]

Objective: To observe the functional changes of skeletal muscle in severely burned rats, and to investigate the effects and possible mechanisms of Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (JAK/STAT3) pathway inhibitor in skeletal muscle function. Methods: The experiment research method was applied. One hundred and twenty male Wistar rats of 8-week-old were divided into sham injury group, simple burn group, and burn+JAK/STAT3 inhibitor group according to the random number table, with 40 rats in each group. Rats in simple burn group and burn+JAK/STAT3 inhibitor group were inflicted with 50% total body surface area full-thickness scald on the back and abdomen, and rats in sham injury group were sham injured. Rats in burn+JAK/STAT3 inhibitor group were intraperitoneally injected with JAK/STAT3 inhibitor ruxolitinib. On post injury day (PID) 0 (immediately), 1, 4, 7, and 14, 8 rats in each group were used to measure the specific force generated by extensor digitorum longus in optimal length stimulated with pulse frequency of 20, 40, 60, 80, 100, 120, 140, and 160 Hz using a multichannel electrophysiological instrument, and specific force in fatigue period of extensor digitorum longus in optimal length stimulated with pulse frequency of 50 Hz for 0, 10, 20, 30, 60, 120, 180, 240, and 300 s. On PID 0, 1, 4, 7, and 14, carbonyl compound content of extensor digitorum longus was determined by ultraviolet spectrophotometry, and ATP content of extensor digitorum longus was determined by micrometry. Data were statistically analyzed with analysis of variance for repeated measurement, analysis of variance for factorial design, Bonferroni method, and t test. Results: Compared with those of sham injury group, specific forces of extensor digitorum longus of rats in simple burn group were significantly decreased after being stimulated with all the pulse frequency on PID 0, 1, 7, and all the pulse frequency except for 20 Hz on PID 4, and pulse frequency of 20 and 40 Hz on PID 14 (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Compared with those of simple burn group, specific forces of extensor digitorum longus of rats in burn+JAK/STAT3 inhibitor group were significantly increased after being stimulated with all the pulse frequency except for 20 Hz on PID 1 and all the pulse frequency on PID 4, 7, and 14 (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Compared with those of sham injury group, specific forces of extensor digitorum longus of rats in simple burn group were significantly decreased in fatigue period at all the time points post injury and stimulation time points except for 240 s on PID 7 (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Compared with those of simple burn group, specific forces of extensor digitorum longus of rats in burn+JAK/STAT3 inhibitor group were obviously increased in fatigue period at all the stimulation time points except for 60 and 300 s on PID 1 and 240 s on PID 4, and all the stimulation time points on PID 7 and 14 (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The carbonyl compound content of extensor digitorum longus of rats in simple burn group on PID 0, 1, 4, 7, and 14 was (0.651±0.155), (0.739±0.194), (0.618±0.086), (0.813±0.162), (0.615±0.115) nmol/mg, which were obviously higher than (0.196±0.019), (0.156±0.004), (0.169±0.023) (0.156±0.027), (0.175±0.008) nmol/mg in sham injury group (t=7.219, 6.491, 10.938, 9.182, 11.589, P<0.01) and (0.538±0.069), (0.369±0.059), (0.273±0.061), (0.334±0.109), (0.318±0.101) nmol/mg in burn+JAK/STAT3 inhibitor group (t=2.446, 4.689, 8.355, 5.754, 6.097, P<0.05 or P<0.01). The ATP content in extensor digitorum longus of rats in simple burn group on PID 1, 4, 7, and 14 was obviously lower than that in sham injury group (t=7.159, 7.591, 7.473, 4.026, P<0.01) and burn+JAK/STAT3 inhibitor group (t=2.295, 2.575, 2.453, 2.997, P<0.05). Conclusions: After severe burn, the specific force of extensor digitorum longus in rats decreased significantly after being stimulated with different pulse frequencies, and the extensor digitorum longus in rats was prone to fatigue. Blocking the JAK/STAT3 signaling pathway can reduce the oxidative stress of muscle protein and increase ATP content, thereby reducing the muscle strength decline caused by burn injury and improving the muscle strength decline during fatigue period.

LncRNA ZEB2-AS1 promotes the proliferation, migration and invasion of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cell through miR-574-3p/HMGA2 axis

OBJECTIVE

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is a common malignant epithelial tumor in the elderly, and the cause is very complicated. Therefore, the study of the pathogenesis of ESCC is conducive to the effective treatment of ESCC. Many studies indicated that lncRNAs were important regulatory factors in tumor formation and disease development. However, the regulatory network of lncRNA in ESCC has not been fully explored.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The expression of miR-574-3p, ZEB2-AS1, and HMGA2 was measured using qRT-PCR. The protein expression of PCNA, Cleaved-caspase3, MMP9, and HMGA2 was detected through Western blot. Cell proliferation or apoptosis of transfected cells was calculated via CKK-8 assay or flow cytometry. Transwell assay was applied to detect cell migration and invasion of ESCC cells. Luciferase reporter assay and RNA pull-down were used to determine the relationship among miR-574-3p, ZEB2-AS1, and HMGA2 in ESCC. Moreover, the regulatory network of ZEB2-AS1 has been verified in vivo in this study.

RESULTS

We found that ZEB2-AS1 was upregulated in ESCC tissues and cells. The knockdown of ZEB2-AS1 could inhibit cell proliferation, invasion, and migration, as well as promoted cell apoptosis in ESCC. Interestingly, miR-574-3p deficiency or HMGA2 promotion could reverse the effects of si-ZEB2-AS1 on ESCC cell progression. Luciferase reporter assay indicated that miR-574-3p was a target miRNA of ZEB2-AS1 and HMGA2 was a target gene of miR-574-3p in ESCC.

CONCLUSIONS

In this paper, we first verified the novel regulatory mechanism of lncRNA ZEB2-AS1 in ESCC cellular process. LncRNA ZEB2-AS1 promoted the proliferation, migration, and invasion of ESCC by modulating miR-574-3p/HMGA2 axis, indicating that ZEB2-AS1 played essential roles in cell progression in ESCC and providing a new therapeutic target of ESCC.

CircPSMC3 inhibits cell proliferation and induces cell apoptosis in nasopharyngeal carcinoma by downregulating ROCK1

OBJECTIVE

Currently, the importance of circular RNAs in malignant tumors has attracted much attention. However, the role of circPSMC3 in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the function of circPSMC3 in the proliferation and apoptosis of NPC and to explore its possible underlying mechanism.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Real Time-quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-qPCR) was utilized to determine the level of circPSMC3 in NPC tissues and cell lines. The association between circPSMC3 expression and patients' prognosis was analyzed. CircPSMC3 lentivirus was constructed and transfected into NPC cells. Cell growth ability and apoptosis were detected through Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, colony formation assay, and flow cytometry, respectively. Western blot was performed to analyze the target protein of circPSMC3. Furthermore, the function of circPSMC3 was explored in nude mice.

RESULTS

CircPSMC3 was lowly expressed in NPC tissues compared with adjacent normal tissues. Low circPSMC3 expression was associated with poor prognosis of NPC patients. Meanwhile, the expression of circPSMC3 was significantly down-regulated in NPC cell lines as well. The growth ability of NPC cells was markedly inhibited after circPSMC3 was overexpressed. Overexpression of circPSMC3 significantly promoted the apoptosis of NPC cells in vitro. ROCK1 expression decreased markedly via overexpression of circPSMC3. Furthermore, tumor formation was inhibited after the up-regulation of circPSMC3 in vivo.

CONCLUSIONS

CircPSMC3 could suppress cell growth and promote cell apoptosis in NPC by downregulating ROCK1.

Modeling and improvement of a low-frequency micro-accelerometer

A sensitivity- and resolution-improving method for a low-frequency micro-vibration accelerometer is presented in this paper. A sensitivity model of the measurement system is derived and established. The key parameters that limit the sensitivity and the resolution of the accelerometer were identified through the sensitivity coefficient analysis method. The structural parameters and the signal process method were then optimized. Experimental results show that the sensitivity of the accelerometer has improved from 1.10 V/(m/s²) to 19.21 V/(m/s²), and the resolution has improved from 1.47 mm/s² to 0.21 mm/s². The lowest working frequency range has expanded from 1 Hz to 0.7 Hz. The presented method is effective and cheap and can be applied to other sensors.

[QARS1 gene related glutaminyl-tRNA synthetase deficiency syndrome: report of three cases and a review of literature]

Objective: To investigate the clinical characteristics, treatment and prognosis of QARS1 gene related glutaminyl-tRNA synthetase deficiency. Methods: To summarize and analyze the clinical manifestations, imaging, laboratory examination, genetic variant characteristics and treatment of three patients from the Fujian Medical University Affiliated Union Hospital, the 900th Hospital of People's Liberation Army, the First Medical Center of People's Liberation Army General Hsopital carrying compound heterozygous variations in QARS1 gene with a long-term follow-up in China. A literature search was conducted using Wanfang, Weipu, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) and Pubmed databases with the keywords "QARS", "QARS1" and "glutaminyl-tRNA Synthetase"(up to December 2019). Results: Case 1, a female 53 days of age, was admitted to the Fujian Medical University Affiliated Union Hospital for treatment because of the complaint of repetitive seizures for one month after birth and fever for one day. The seizure occurred within the first 2 hours of life with multiple forms and often had a status as persisted from hours to days. The seizures were resistant to many anti-epilepsy drugs (AED) and ketogenic diet but later controlled by clonazepam. However, she died at the age of seven years. Case 2 (younger brother of case 1), a one-hour-old boy, was hospitalized because of seizures after birth for 1 hour. Intrauterine growth retardation was discovered during late-pregnancy. The boy presented seizures and microcephaly immediately after birth, and his epilepsy was pharmacoresisitant. Case 3, an 8-month-old girl, was admitted due to recurrent convulsions for nearly two months. The girl had mild developmental retardation and hypotonia after birth. The infantile spasm was observed at her age of 6 months and disappeared under treatment with Vitamin B6, vigabatrin combined with adreno-cortico-tropic-hormone and magnesium sulfate. However, the seizure pattern turned to tonic seizures later. She was seizures free now with clobazam and zonisamide treatment. All of them manifested as a syndrome composed of severe global developmental retardation, progressive microcephaly, hypotonia from the very beginning, mild hypoproteinemia and diffuse brain atrophy. Genetic studies revealed compound heterozygous variations of QARS1 gene which were not reported previously. A review of the literature reported a total of 22 patients from 18 unrelated families all over the world. Except for 5 cases without epilepsy,all the patients shared very similar clinical manifestations as classic pentalogy. The recommended effective treatment for epilepsy has not been reported yet. Conclusions: Glutaminyl-tRNA synthetase deficiency caused by QARS1 gene variations manifested as a clinical syndrome's pentalogy, characterized by microcephaly, cerebral atrophy, intractable early-onset epileptic encephalopathy, global developmental retardation and severe muscle hypotonia.

[The Breast Cancer Cohort Study in Chinese Women: research design and preliminary results of clinical multi-center cohort]

Objective: The incidence of breast cancer in Chinese women continues to rise. The large breast cancer cohort studies in China are relatively scarce. There are many bottlenecks in the construction of large clinical cohort for breast cancer diagnosis, treatment, and prognoses, such as inconsistent standards, high rates of lost follow-up, repeated construction, and inability to share. To better solving the difficulties and problems faced by large-scale clinical cohort research in China, this project will cooperate with several tertiary A hospitals to establish a breast cancer cohort in Chinese women. It also provides a data platform and technical support for breast cancer multi-center clinical cohort research. Methods: Based on the evidence-based medicine and expert opinion and consensus, we established a breast cancer cohort standardized indicator set-recording baseline information, diagnosis and treatment-related information of the enrolled patients, and collecting biological specimens. According to the technical specification of long-term follow-up for the endpoint, data management, and data security and in the large population-based cohort study, a standardized follow-up system for the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of breast cancer prospective cohorts is formed. Results: Based on standardized data sets and the computer discipline's advantage from the University of Science and Technology Beijing, we integrate the new information technology methods, including dynamic information collection terminals and social networks. Thus, the quality of control programs on compliance and intelligence data was improved, and a Chinese women breast cancer cohort database was developed. By February 2020, 12 147 patients were included in the clinical cohort database. Biological specimens'resources in cohort construction were collected and cooperated with Shandong University to research the multi-center quality control system and shared evaluation system of biobanks. Building an open and shared biobank network and forming a full chain of breast cancer research platform. Conclusion: With the implementation of the "13(th) Five-Year Plan" precision medicine research, this study provides a research foundation for precision diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer and provides data support for the country to formulate relevant medical policies.

[The Breast Cancer Cohort Study in Chinese Women: the construction and progress of the pan-shared biobank]

Objective: Biobank construction plays an irreplaceable role in the research of accurate prevention and treatment of diseases. Shared biobank network based on a large crowd queue is the way of the future. This subject is one of the key contents of national precision medicine "The Breast Cancer Cohort Study in Chinese Women: (BCCS-CW)" , aiming to solve the bottleneck of insufficient standardization and sharing. Methods: The establishment of "entity library-information library-extension library" , the widely Shared network of biobank of breast cancer specific disease cohort, and the establishment of strict standard setting and quality control standard to construct the standardized biobank. Results: This biobank provides a shared biobank resource for breast cancer risk assessment, prediction and early warning, early screening, classification, individualized treatment, efficacy and safety prediction and monitoring and other accurate prevention and treatment programs and clinical decision-making system research. Conclusion: The data of this biological sample bank is refined and complete, and the sample size of cases is sufficient, which can meet the research needs of medical big data, genomics, metabonomics, epigenetics and other fields.

[The Breast Cancer Cohort Study in Chinese Women: the methodology of population-based cohort and baseline characteristics]

Objective: Breast cancer has been the first cancer among women with the incidence increasing gradually. In September 2016, the Breast Cancer Cohort Study in Chinese Women (BCCS-CW) was initiated, aiming to establish a standardized and sharable breast cancer-specific cohort by integrating the existing cohort resource and improving the quality of follow-up. The BCCS-CW may provide a research basis and platform for the precision prevention and treatment of breast cancer in etiology identification, prevention, early diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis prediction. Methods: We conducted a population-based perspective cohort by questionnaire interview, anthropometry, biological specimens, breast ultrasound and mammography. The cohort was followed by using regional health surveillance and ad hoc survey. Results: Finally, BCCS-CW included 112 118 women, in which 55 419 women completed the standardized investigation and blood specimens were collected from 54 304 women. The mean age of participants was 51.7 years old, 62.7% were overweight or obese, and 48.9% were menopausal. Conclusion: The BCCS-CW will provide population-based cohort resource and research platform for the precise prevention and treatment of breast cancer in Chinese women.

CircPSMC3 inhibits cell proliferation and induces cell apoptosis in nasopharyngeal carcinoma by downregulating ROCK1

Since this article has been suspected of research misconduct and the corresponding authors did not respond to our request to prove originality of data and figures, "CircPSMC3 inhibits cell proliferation and induces cell apoptosis in nasopharyngeal carcinoma by downregulating ROCK1, by D.-Q. Guo, F. Liu, L. Zhang, N.-N. Bian, L.-Y. Liu, L.-X. Kong, Z.-G. Wang, published in Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2020; 24 (3): 1219-1225-DOI: 10.26355/eurrev_202002_20174-PMID: 32096151" has been withdrawn. The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. https://www.europeanreview.org/article/20174.

Study of Open-Charm Decays and Radiative Transitions of the X(3872)

The processes X(3872)→D^{*0}D[over ¯]^{0}+c.c.,γJ/ψ,γψ(2S), and γD^{+}D^{-} are searched for in a 9.0  fb^{-1} data sample collected at center-of-mass energies between 4.178 and 4.278 GeV with the BESIII detector. We observe X(3872)→D^{*0}D^{0}[over ¯]+c.c. and find evidence for X(3872)→γJ/ψ with statistical significances of 7.4σ and 3.5σ, respectively. No evident signals for X(3872)→γψ(2S) and γD^{+}D^{-} are found, and the upper limit on the relative branching ratio R_{γψ}≡{B[X(3872)→γψ(2S)]}/{B[X(3872)→γJ/ψ]}<0.59 is set at 90% confidence level. Measurements of branching ratios relative to decay X(3872)→π^{+}π^{-}J/ψ are also reported for decays X(3872)→D^{*0}D^{0}[over ¯]+c.c.,γψ(2S),γJ/ψ, and γD^{+}D^{-}, as well as the non-D^{*0}D^{0}[over ¯] three-body decays π^{0}D^{0}D^{0}[over ¯] and γD^{0}D^{0}[over ¯].

Determination of Strong-Phase Parameters in D→K_{S,L}^{0}π^{+}π^{-}

We report the most precise measurements to date of the strong-phase parameters between D^{0} and D[over ¯]^{0} decays to K_{S,L}^{0}π^{+}π^{-} using a sample of 2.93  fb^{-1} of e^{+}e^{-} annihilation data collected at a center-of-mass energy of 3.773 GeV with the BESIII detector at the BEPCII collider. Our results provide the key inputs for a binned model-independent determination of the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa angle γ/ϕ_{3} with B decays. Using our results, the decay model sensitivity to the γ/ϕ_{3} measurement is expected to be between 0.7° and 1.2°, approximately a factor of three smaller than that achievable with previous measurements, based on the studies of the simulated data. The improved precision of this work ensures that measurements of γ/ϕ_{3} will not be limited by knowledge of strong phases for the next decade. Furthermore, our results provide critical input for other flavor-physics investigations, including charm mixing, other measurements of CP violation, and the measurement of strong-phase parameters for other D-decay modes.

Reference function of old electrical stimulation electrode in cochlear-reimplantation in children

OBJECTIVES

To explore the causes of cochlear implantation and reference function of old electrical stimulation electrode in cochlear reimplantation in children.

METHODS

The causes, surgical methods and problems found during the operations of 24 cases of cochlear reimplantation in Henan Children's Hospital from June 2016 to April 2018 were analyzed.

RESULTS

Twenty-three cases successfully completed the surgery of cochlear-reimplantation, and the remaining one case had approximately 1/3 of the anterior end of the residual cochlear electrode due to high resistance at the time of withdrawal of the electrodes. The causes of re-implantation were implant equipment failure (eleven cases), elevated impedance values of all electrodes after head trauma (two cases), and implant prolapse together with the electrode caused by a traffic accident (one case).

CONCLUSION

The old stimulus electrode can provide an important reference to reduce the risk of operation and ensure the success of the reoperation.

Observation of a Resonant Structure in e^{+}e^{-}→K^{+}K^{-}π^{0}π^{0}

A partial-wave analysis is performed for the process e^{+}e^{-}→K^{+}K^{-}π^{0}π^{0} at the center-of-mass energies ranging from 2.000 to 2.644 GeV. The data samples of e^{+}e^{-} collisions, collected by the BESIII detector at the BEPCII collider with a total integrated luminosity of 300  pb^{-1}, are analyzed. The total Born cross sections for the process e^{+}e^{-}→K^{+}K^{-}π^{0}π^{0}, as well as the Born cross sections for the subprocesses e^{+}e^{-}→ϕπ^{0}π^{0}, K^{+}(1460)K^{-}, K_{1}^{+}(1400)K^{-}, K_{1}^{+}(1270)K^{-}, and K^{*+}(892)K^{*-}(892), are measured versus the center-of-mass energy. The corresponding results for e^{+}e^{-}→K^{+}K^{-}π^{0}π^{0} and ϕπ^{0}π^{0} are consistent with those of BABAR with better precision. By analyzing the cross sections for the four subprocesses, K^{+}(1460)K^{-}, K_{1}^{+}(1400)K^{-}, K_{1}^{+}(1270)K^{-}, and K^{*+}(892)K^{*-}(892), a structure with mass M=(2126.5±16.8±12.4)  MeV/c^{2} and width Γ=(106.9±32.1±28.1)  MeV is observed with an overall statistical significance of 6.3σ, although with very limited significance in the subprocesses e^{+}e^{-}→K_{1}^{+}(1270)K^{-} and K^{*+}(892)K^{*-}(892). The resonant parameters of the observed structure suggest it can be identified with the ϕ(2170), thus the results provide valuable input to the internal nature of the ϕ(2170).

Measurement of Proton Electromagnetic Form Factors in e^{+}e^{-}→pp[over ¯] in the Energy Region 2.00-3.08 GeV

The process of e^{+}e^{-}→pp[over ¯] is studied at 22 center-of-mass energy points (sqrt[s]) from 2.00 to 3.08 GeV, exploiting 688.5  pb^{-1} of data collected with the BESIII detector operating at the BEPCII collider. The Born cross section (σ_{pp[over ¯]}) of e^{+}e^{-}→pp[over ¯] is measured with the energy-scan technique and it is found to be consistent with previously published data, but with much improved accuracy. In addition, the electromagnetic form-factor ratio (|G_{E}/G_{M}|) and the value of the effective (|G_{eff}|), electric (|G_{E}|), and magnetic (|G_{M}|) form factors are measured by studying the helicity angle of the proton at 16 center-of-mass energy points. |G_{E}/G_{M}| and |G_{M}| are determined with high accuracy, providing uncertainties comparable to data in the spacelike region, and |G_{E}| is measured for the first time. We reach unprecedented accuracy, and precision results in the timelike region provide information to improve our understanding of the proton inner structure and to test theoretical models which depend on nonperturbative quantum chromodynamics.

Measurement of the Cross Section for e^{+}e^{-}→Ξ^{-}Ξ[over ¯]^{+} and Observation of an Excited Ξ Baryon

Using a total of 11.0  fb^{-1} of e^{+}e^{-} collision data with center-of-mass energies between 4.009 and 4.6 GeV and collected with the BESIII detector at BEPCII, we measure fifteen exclusive cross sections and effective form factors for the process e^{+}e^{-}→Ξ^{-}Ξ[over ¯]^{+} by means of a single baryon-tag method. After performing a fit to the dressed cross section of e^{+}e^{-}→Ξ^{-}Ξ[over ¯]^{+}, no significant ψ(4230) or ψ(4260) resonance is observed in the Ξ^{-}Ξ[over ¯]^{+} final states, and upper limits at the 90% confidence level on Γ_{ee}B for the processes ψ(4230)/ψ(4260)→Ξ^{-}Ξ[over ¯]^{+} are determined. In addition, an excited Ξ baryon at 1820  MeV/c^{2} is observed with a statistical significance of 6.2-6.5σ by including the systematic uncertainty, and the mass and width are measured to be M=(1825.5±4.7±4.7)  MeV/c^{2} and Γ=(17.0±15.0±7.9)  MeV, which confirms the existence of the J^{P}=3/2^{-} state Ξ(1820).

Jagged2 promotes cancer stem cell properties of triple negative breast cancer cells and paclitaxel resistance via regulating microRNA-200

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the role of Jagged2 in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) and its underlying mechanism.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Breast cancer tissues of patients diagnosed with TNBC in Fujian Medical University Affiliated MinDong Hospital from January 2015 to September 2017 were selected. TNBC patients were divided into the paclitaxel-resistant group (n=34) and non-resistance group (n=11). Jagged2 expression in paclitaxel-resistant group and non-resistance group before and after treatment was detected by quantitative Real-time-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), respectively. After Jagged2 knockdown in paclitaxel-resistant MDA-MB-231 cells (MDA-MB-231/TXR), expression of CD44+CD24-ESA+ subset was detected by flow cytometry. MicroRNA-200 expression was detected after Jagged2 knockdown in MDA-MB-231/TXR cells.

RESULTS

Jagged2 was highly expressed in paclitaxel-resistant TNBC tissues and cells. Jagged2 expression was found to be associated with cancer stem cell (CSC) properties of TNBC cells. Knockdown of Jagged2 inhibited CSC properties and paclitaxel resistance, whereas upregulated microRNA-200 expression. The inhibited CSC properties and paclitaxel resistance induced by Jagged2 knockdown were reversed by microRNA-200 knockdown.

CONCLUSIONS

Jagged2 maintains CSC properties of TNBC cells and paclitaxel resistance via regulating microRNA-200.

[The influence of dihydrotestosterone on cytokine releases in male mice model with Graves disease]

Objective: To study the influences of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) on the development of experimental autoimmune Graves disease (EAGD), and to observe the effect of DHT on cytokines in male BALB/c mice model. Methods: Male BALB/c mice aged 6-8 weeks were divided into 4 groups using random number table: (1) control group; (2) EAGD group; (3) placebo group; (4) DHT group. EAGD mice were induced with an adenovirus expressing the human thyroid stimulating hormone receptor antibody A-subunit (Ad-TSHR289). DHT (5mg) or a matching placebo were implanted one week before the first immunization. Thyroid hormones were detected with radioimmunoassay kit.. Cytokines [such as interferonγ (IFNγ), interleukin (IL)-4, IL-10, IL-9, and IL-17] producing cells from the spleen were detected using flow cytometry. Results: As expected Ad-TSHR289 treatment increased total thyroxine [EAGD group vs. control group: (117.76±32.69) nmol/L vs. (33.08±12.61) nmol/L, P<0.0001] and free thyroxine [EAGD group vs. control group: (15.01±11.55) pmol/L vs. (3.55±1.88) pmol/L, P<0.0001]. Treatment of DHT slightly lowered thyroid hormones [DHT group vs. placebo group: total thyroxine (114.80±44.27) nmol/L vs. (123.17±77.73) nmol/L; free thyroxine (13.48±6.01) pmol/L vs. (14.19±12.65) pmol/L], without significant difference (all P>0.05)]. However, the percentage of IL-10, but not IFN γ, IL-4, IL-9 and IL-17, secreted spleen cells increased in DHT group than in the placebo group [(7.11±3.29)% vs. (3.51±1.36)%, P<0.05]. Conclusion: The effects of DHT on thyroid hormone are mild. It might play an immunomodulatory role in the male mouse Graves disease model by up-regulating the cytokine IL-10.

Observation of the Semileptonic D^{+} Decay into the K[over ¯]_{1}(1270)^{0} Axial-Vector Meson

By analyzing a 2.93  fb^{-1} data sample of e^{+}e^{-} collisions, recorded at a center-of-mass energy of 3.773 GeV with the BESIII detector operated at the BEPCII collider, we report the first observation of the semileptonic D^{+} transition into the axial-vector meson D^{+}→K[over ¯]_{1}(1270)^{0}e^{+}ν_{e} with a statistical significance greater than 10σ. Its decay branching fraction is determined to be B[D^{+}→K[over ¯]_{1}(1270)^{0}e^{+}ν_{e}]=(2.30±0.26_{-0.21}^{+0.18}±0.25)×10^{-3}, where the first and second uncertainties are statistical and systematic, respectively, and the third originates from the input branching fraction of K[over ¯]_{1}(1270)^{0}→K^{-}π^{+}π^{0}.

Observation of the Leptonic Decay D^{+}→τ^{+}ν_{τ}

We report the first observation of D^{+}→τ^{+}ν_{τ} with a significance of 5.1σ. We measure B(D^{+}→τ^{+}ν_{τ})=(1.20±0.24_{stat}±0.12_{syst})×10^{-3}. Taking the world average B(D^{+}→μ^{+}ν_{μ})=(3.74±0.17)×10^{-4}, we obtain R_{τ/μ}=Γ(D^{+}→τ^{+}ν_{τ})/Γ(D^{+}→μ^{+}ν_{μ})=3.21±0.64_{stat}±0.43_{syst}., which is consistent with the standard model expectation of lepton flavor universality. Using external inputs, our results give values for the D^{+} decay constant f_{D^{+}} and the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa matrix element |V_{cd}| that are consistent with, but less precise than, other determinations.

LncRNA MEG3 promotes the sensitivity of vincristine by inhibiting autophagy in lung cancer chemotherapy

OBJECTIVE

Lung cancer is one of the most common malignancies worldwide, the morbidity and mortality of which have been on rising in recent years. Moreover, lncRNAs have been implicated in the development of various cancers, as well as cancer treatment and prognosis. In this study, long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) MEG3, an identified tumor suppressor, was explored for its role in the chemotherapy of lung cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

All cases were divided into (I+II) group and (III+IV) group according to different stages of tumor node metastasis (TNM), and were divided into sensitive group and insensitive group according to chemotherapy sensitivity. A549 and H292 cells were selected as the resistant cell and non-resistant lung cancer cells. Quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was performed to detect the expression of MEG3. After transfection with overexpression plasmid pcDNA-MEG3 or/and different concentrations of vincristine, cell viability and proliferation were measured by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay and plate cloning assay, respectively. Western blotting was used to analyze the expressions of autophagy-related proteins.

RESULTS

In vivo, lncRNA MEG3 was significantly lower in III+IV group and insensitive group than that in I+II group and sensitive group. In vitro, MEG3 expression in resistant cells was significantly lower than that in non-resistant cells. Overexpression of MEG3 significant inhibited the viability and proliferation of both resistant and non-resistant lung cancer cells. Western blot results showed that autophagy level was higher in resistant cells than that in non-resistant cells, while overexpression of MEG3 significantly reduced the expression of autophagy-related proteins. CCK-8 results also indicated that the cell viability was negatively correlated with the dose of vincristine, while the viability of drug-resistant cells was higher than that of non-drug resistant cells after the treatment of vincristine. The vitality of both cells decreased in a concentration-dependent manner after combined treatment with vincristine and MEG3.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data indicated that lncRNA MEG3 showed a low expression in chemotherapy-sensitive lung cancer tissues, and overexpression of lncRNA MEG3 attenuated autophagy level, thus increasing the sensitivity of vincristine in chemotherapy of lung cancer.

[Rapamycin in the treatment of renal diseases associated with tuberous sclerosis complex]

Objective: To investigate the efficacy and safety of rapamycin in children with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) associated renal disease. Methods: A prospective self-control study was conducted. The clinical data of 92 children diagnosed with tuberous sclerosis complex associated kidney disease at the People's Liberation Army General Hospital from January 2011 to January 2019 were collected. The long-term rapamycin treatment for all patients initiated at 1 mg/(m(2)·d), which was gradually adjusted to reach a blood concentration of 5-10 μg/L. The changes of the maximum diameter of renal lesions in children after rapamycin treatment were observed and analyzed with Wilcoxon test. Results: Ninety-two children, including 52 males and 40 females, who met the criteria were analyzed. Sixty patients had only renal angiomyolipoma(RAML), while 24 patients had only multiple renal cysts(MRC), and 8 patients had both lesions. The age of TSC diagnosis was 16.0 (7.0, 42.0) months, and the age of initial treatment with rapamycin was 63.5 (21.0, 103.0) months. The follow-up lasted for 12.0 (4.0, 23.0) months. Sequencing of TSC1 and TSC2 genes was performed in 54 children with TSC, including 3 patients (6%) with mutations in TSC1 gene and 51 patients (94%) with mutations in TSC2 gene. The maximum RAML diameter before treatment was 7.0 (4.0, 9.0) mm. The best effect reached at 3 months of treatment, with the diameter of 4.0 (0,7.0) mm. The maximum diameters at 6 months, 1 year and 1-2 years were 5.0 (0,9.8) mm, 5.0 (1.5, 8.5) mm, 5.5 (3.0, 9.0) mm, respectively, and were significantly different from the baseline (Z=-2.404,-2.350,-2.750,P=0.016,0.019,0.006, respectively). The maximum diameter after 2-3 years, and ≥3 years were 5.0 (3.9,7.0) mm and 6.0 (1.0, 11.0) mm, without significant difference from the baseline (Z=-0.856,-0.102,P=0.393,0.919, respectively).The maximum diameters of MRC after 3 months, 6 months, 1 year,1-2 years, 2-3 years, and ≥3 years were 11.0 (5.0, 14.0) mm,3.0 (0.0,11.0) mm,5.0 (0,21.0) mm,0 (0,14.0) mm,0 (0,10.0) mm, and 0 (0,18.3) mm, respectively, but were not significantly different rom the baseline (7.0 (5.0, 15.7) mm)(Z=-0.944,-1.214,-1.035,-1.896,-1.603,-1.214,P=0.345,0.225,0.301,0.058,0.109,0.225, respectively).Twenty-nine patients (32%) had oral ulcers during the entire treatment period, and no serious adverse reactions were observed. Conclusions: Rapamycin could decrease the diameter of TSC-related RAML, but could not inhibit the growth of cysts. It is well tolerated in the treatment of renal diseases associated with tuberous sclerosis complex.

[Effects of insulin therapy on skeletal muscle wasting in severely scalded rats and its related mechanism]

Objective: To explore the effects of insulin therapy on skeletal muscle wasting (SMW) in severely scalded rats and its related mechanism. Methods: Totally 48 male Wistar rats aged 7-8 weeks were divided into simple scald (SS) group and insulin therapy (IT) group according to the random number table, with 24 rats in each group. After weighing the body mass and measuring the blood glycemic level of the tail end with a glucometer, the rats in the two groups were immersed in hot water at 94 ℃ for 12 seconds to make a full-thickness dorsal scald model involving 30% total body surface area. Rats in group IT were subcutaneously injected with 1 U/kg insulin glargine at 8: 00 a day from post injury day (PID) 1 to 7, whilst rats in group SS were given the same amount of normal saline. Rats in the two groups were given 10 mL/kg enteral nutritional emulsion by intragastric infusion at 8: 00 (after insulin administration), 13: 00, and 18: 00 a day respectively from PID 1 to 7. The blood glycemic levels of tail end of rats in the two groups were measured by glucometer before insulin administration on PID 1-4, 6, and 7 and on every morning of PID 8, 9, 11, 12, and 14. The body mass of rats in the two groups on PID 14 without any treatment was weighed. Eight rats from each group were collected respectively on PID 4, 7, and 14 to harvest tibialis anterior muscle (TAM) samples. The mass of TAM on PID 14 was weighed. The ultrastructural changes of TAM myocytes on PID 7 were observed with transmission electron microscope. The apoptotic rates of TAM myocytes on PID 4, 7, and 14 were assessed by the assay of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridinetriphate-biotin nick end labeling, the expressions of cysteine-aspartic protease-3 (caspase-3) of TAM on PID 4, 7, and 14 were detected with immunohistochemistry, and protein expressions of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress (ERS) associated proteins glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78), CCAAT/enhancer binding protein-homologous protein (CHOP), and activated caspase-12 of TAM on PID 4, 7, and 14 were detected with Western blotting. Data were processed with completely random design t test, analysis of variance for repeated measurement, analysis of variance for factorial design, t test, and Bonferroni correction. Results: The blood glycemic level and body mass of rats in the two groups before injury were similar (t=0.204, 0.405, P>0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in blood glycemic levels of rats between the two groups on PID 1, 6, 9, 11, 12, and 14 (t=0.229, 3.339, 1.610, 0.178, 0.181, 0.079, P>0.05). Compared with those of group SS, blood glycemic levels of rats in group IT were significantly lower on PID 2, 3, 4, 7, and 8 (t=7.245, 4.165, 4.609, 4.018, 3.995, P<0.05 or P<0.01). On PID 14, the body mass and TAM mass of rats in group IT were (271±19) g and (0.47±0.05) g respectively, both obviously higher than (254±12) g and (0.43±0.04) g of group SS (t=2.159, 2.375, P<0.05). On PID 7, nuclear pyknosis and deformation, chromosome misdistribution, and ER swelling in TAM myocytes of rats in group SS were observed; the apoptotic alterations and ER swelling of TAM myocytes were alleviated in rats of group IT as compared with those of group SS. The apoptotic rates of TAM myocytes of rats in group IT were obviously lower than those of group SS on PID 4, 7, and 14 (t=4.262, 9.153, 9.799, P<0.01). The expressions of caspase-3 in TAM of rats in group IT were obviously lower than those of group SS on PID 7 and 14 (t=10.429, 7.617, P<0.01). Compared with those of group SS, the protein expressions of GRP78 were obviously increased on PID 4 and 14 (t=4.172, 4.437, P<0.05), the protein expressions of activated caspase-12 were obviously decreased on PID 7 and 14 (t=11.049, 11.181, P<0.01), and the protein expressions of CHOP were obviously decreased on PID 4, 7, and 14 (t=13.837, 9.572, 6.930, P<0.01) in TAM of rats in group IT. Conclusions: Insulin therapy may reduce skeletal muscle myocytes apoptosis and SMW by alleviating ERS in rats with severe scald.

A review of the genus Immanus Hulcr amp; Cognato with a key to species (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae: Xyleborini)

The four species currently placed in the genus Immanus Hulcr and Cognato are reviewed. Immanus papuanus Beaver, Sittichaya Liu sp. n. is described. The following new synonymy is proposed: Immanus desectus (Eggers, 1923) (= Xyleborus insignis Browne, 1984 syn. n.). The following new combinations are proposed: Immanus pseudocolossus (Schedl, 1942) comb. n., I. sarawakensis (Eggers, 1923) comb. n., I. trolaki (Schedl, 1939) comb. n., all originally described in Xyleborus. A key to the females of the eight species now included in the genus is provided. The taxonomy, diagnostic characters, distribution and biology of the species are briefly discussed.

[Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome caused by Streptococcus pyogenes: a retrospective study of 15 pediatric cases]

Objective: To improve the understanding of clinical characteristics of streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS) caused by Streptococcus pyogenes (S. pyogenes) in children. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of STSS caused by S. pyogenes (culture-confirmed) in 7 tertiary hospitals during 2010-2017 in China. Clinical and laboratory data were collected by reviewing the medical records. Results: Fifteen cases of STSS, including 9 males, were confirmed and the ages of the patients ranged from 6 months to 15 years, with median age of 3 years. All cases had the positive blood culture for S. pyogenes and only 3 cases had short course of β-lactam treatment before blood culture. Medical evaluation was initiated within (5.1±4.6) days after symptom onset. All patients had fever, and 13 patients had multiple organ dysfunction and 10 patients had disseminated intravascular coagulationl (DIC). Twelve cases had severe pneumonia with or without skin and (or) soft tissue infections. Underlying conditions included giant hemangioma of the skin in 2 patients and varicella in 1 patient. All isolated strains in 14 cases were sensitive to penicillin G, ceftriaxone/cefotaxime, vancomycin, but 12 and 13 isolates were resistant to clindamycin and erythromycin, respectively. Eight patients died, and 5 of them died within 24 hours after admission. One patient was lost to follow-up after intended discharge against medical advice. Conclusion: STSS caused by S. pyogenes in children is a severe syndrome with rapid clinical progression and high mortality rate, and thus the pediatricians should be aware of STSS and immediately initiate aggressive treatment for the suspected cases.

[Pathogen spectrum in enteroviral infections among children in Beijing from 2010 to 2016]

Objective: To understand the epidemiological and etiological characteristics of enterovirus (EV)-associated diseases among children in Beijing from 2010 to 2016. Methods: This was a repeated cross-sectional study. The throat swabs were collected from children with probable EV-associated diseases at the Children' s Hospital Affiliated to Capital Institute of Pediatrics from 2010 to 2016. The samples were sent for pan-EV, enterovirus 71 (EV-A71) and coxsackievirus A16 (CV-A16) detection by real-time fluorescence reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) . The viral types of non-EV-A71 and non-CV-A16 EV-positive samples were identified using modified RT-PCR and sequencing with CV-A6, EV-A/B group and 5 'UTR universal primers. The constituent ratios of the prevalence of different EV types in different age and gender groups were compared. Results: Of the 2 703 throat swabs, 1 992 (73.7%) samples were positive for EV, including EV-A71 (19.1%, 516/2 703), CV-A16 (24.3%, 658/2 703), CV-A6 (22.2%, 600/2 703), CV-A10 (4.5%, 122/2 703) and other types of EV (3.5%, 95/2 703). There was 1 case of EV-A71 and CV-A16 co-infection. The positive detection rate of EV-A group (excluding EV-A71, CV-A16, CV-A6 and CV-A10) increased from 11.3% (7/62) to 95.2% (59/62) after using the modified VP1-specific primers and PCR amplification conditions. During the period between 2010 and 2012, CV-A16 and EV-A71 predominated in EV-positive samples. However, CV-A6 accounted for 60.7% (68/112) in 2013, much higher than CV-A16 (23.2%, 26/112) and EV-A71 (12.5%, 14/112). In 2014, EVs were mainly of CV-A16 and EV-A71, but CV-A6 was the predominant type in 2015 (68.2%, 232/340) and in 2016 (38.6%, 151/391). The epidemic season of EVs was mostly from April to August, but CV-A6 showed a small epidemic peak from October to November. The male-to-female ratio of EV-positive patients was 1.50∶1, and EV-associated diseases mostly occurred in children under 5 years of age. Younger children were more susceptible to CV-A6 than to EV-A71 and CV-A16. Conclusions: From 2010 to 2016, there was a significant change in the spectrum of EVs in children with EV-associated diseases in Beijing. Since 2013, non-EV-A71 and non-CV-A16 increased, and CV-A6 gradually became one of the major pathogens of EV-associated diseases. The modified PCR primers and amplification conditions can effectively improve the reliability of test results.

Trends in atmospheric particles and their light extinction performance between 1980 and 2015 in Beijing, China

This study explored the interdecadal variations and their horizontal and vertical light extinction performances of atmospheric particulate matter with aerodynamic diameters ≤2.5 μm (PM_2.5), particulate matter with aerodynamic diameters ≤ 10 μm (PM₁₀), and total suspended particulates (TSPs) in Beijing from 1980 to 2015, using data available from historical publications. Prominent declines of PM_2.5, PM₁₀, and TSPs were detected with long-term linear trends of -6.7, -4.3, and -1.9 μg m^-3 yr^-1, respectively. Generally, on the annual scale during the studied period, it was found that PM_2.5 displayed negative correlation (R² = 0.38, p < 0.01) with visibility and positive correlation (R² = 0.41, p < 0.01) with aerosol optical depth (AOD). Comparably, PM₁₀ exhibited robust negative correlation (R² = 0.61, p < 0.01) with visibility and positive correlation (R² = 0.82, p < 0.01) with AOD. The complicated interdecadal variations and light extinction performances of PM_2.5 were found, suggesting the changes on particle composition and vertical distribution of PM_2.5 in the atmosphere.

Effects of pheophorbide a-mediated photodynamic therapy on proliferation and metastasis of human prostate cancer cells

OBJECTIVE

To observe the effects of pheophorbide a-mediated photodynamic therapy (Pa-PDT) on the in vitro proliferation, apoptosis, invasion and metastasis of human prostate cancer PC-3 cells and to investigate its possible mechanism.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Pa-PDT in gradient concentrations (0 μM, 0.25 μM, 0.5 μM, 1 μM, 2 μM, and 4 μM) were used to act on PC-3 cells; the cell proliferation in each group was detected via methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay and clone formation assay, and the cell apoptosis was detected via Hochst33258 staining and Annexin V/propidium iodide (PI) double labeling. Moreover, the effects of Pa-PDT on invasion and proliferation of PC-3 cells were observed via wound healing assay and transwell chamber assay. Finally, the expressions of apoptosis-related proteins, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related proteins and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in each group were detected after treatment by Western blotting.

RESULTS

MTT and clone formation assays showed that Pa-PDT could inhibit the proliferation of PC-3 cells in a dose-dependent manner. The results of apoptosis assay revealed that Pa-PDT could significantly promote the apoptosis of PC-3 cells, obviously up-regulate the expressions of pro-apoptotic proteins, such as B-cell lymphoma-2-associated X protein (BAX), Caspase-3 and poly adenosine diphosphate-ribose polymerase (PARP), and inhibit the expression of Bcl-2. Besides, the wound healing assay and Transwell chamber assay showed that Pa-PDT could inhibit the invasion and metastasis capacities of PC-3 cells, whose relevant mechanisms were related to the fact that Pa-PDT inhibited the EMT process and down-regulated the expressions of MMPs in PC-3 cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Pa-PDT can inhibit the proliferation and promote the apoptosis of PC-3 cells. Moreover, it can also inhibit the invasion and metastasis capacities of PC-3 cells via inhibiting the EMT process and down-regulating the expressions of MMPs.

Upregulation of miR-802 suppresses gastric cancer oncogenicity via targeting RAB23 expression

OBJECTIVE

The aberrant expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) has been observed in various types of cancer. Recently, miR-802 was found to play important role in tumor progression. However, the function of miR-802 in gastric cancer (GC) remains unknown. The aim of the present study was to investigate biological effects and underlying mechanisms of miR-802 in GC.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Quantitative RT-PCR was performed to evaluate the expression level of miR-802 in GC tissues and cell lines. The in vitro cell proliferation was measured using the MTT method. Cell invasion and migration assays were performed using the transwell assay. The effects of miR-802 on tumor growth were examined using a GC xenograft model. Flow cytometry method was used to detect the effect of miR-802 in apoptosis of GC cells. Targets of miR-802 were predicted using bioinformatics and validated using luciferase reporter and Western blot analyses.

RESULTS

The results showed that miR-802 was significantly down-regulated in GC tissues and cell lines. The enforced expression of miR-802 induced growth suppression and apoptosis of GC cells. Moreover, miR-802 overexpression suppressed the migration and invasion of GC cells. Bioinformatics analysis predicted that the RAB23 was a potential target gene of miR-802. The results of luciferase reporter assay demonstrated that miR-802 could directly target RAB23. Additionally, in vivo analysis, the xenograft mouse model also confirmed the suppressive effects of miR-802 on tumor growth.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results are the first to demonstrate the tumor-suppressive role of miR-802 in GC. The identification of miR-802 and its novel target RAB23 will be valuable in developing therapeutic applications for GC.

MeCP2, a target of miR-638, facilitates gastric cancer cell proliferation through activation of the MEK1/2-ERK1/2 signaling pathway by upregulating GIT1

Methyl-CpG binding protein 2 (MeCP2) is involved in the carcinogenesis and progression of multiple types of cancer. However, its precise role in gastric cancer (GC) and the relevant molecular mechanism remain unknown. In the present study, we found that miR-638 levels were lower in GC tissues and GC cell lines than in adjacent normal tissues and normal gastric epithelial cell lines, respectively. Low miR-638 levels were associated with poor tumor differentiation, tumor size and lymph node metastasis. MeCP2 expression levels were higher in GC tissues than in adjacent normal tissues. It was found that miR-638 inhibited GC cell proliferation, colony formation, G1–S transition and tumor growth, and induced cell apoptosis by directly targeting MeCP2. MeCP2 promoted GC cell proliferation, colony formation and G1–S cell-cycle transition, and suppressed apoptosis. Molecular mechanistic investigations were performed using an integrated approach with a combination of microarray analysis, chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing and a reporter gene assay. The results showed that MeCP2 bound to the methylated CpG islands of G-protein-coupled receptor kinase-interacting protein 1 (GIT1) promoter and upregulated its expression, thereby activating the MEK1/2–ERK1/2 signaling pathway and promoting GC cell proliferation. Taken together, our study demonstrates that MeCP2, a target of miR-638, facilitates GC cell proliferation and induces cell-cycle progression through activation of the MEK1/2–ERK1/2 signaling pathway by upregulating GIT1. The findings suggest that MeCP2 plays a significant role in GC progression, and may serve as a potential target for GC therapy.

Chronic subdural hematoma management: clarifying the definitions of outcome measures to better understand treatment efficacy - a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

A long history of inconsistencies in the definitions of the outcome measures for chronic subdural hematomas (CSDHs) has contributed to the controversy over the optimal surgical strategy for CSDH treatment. Clarifying these definitions, reassess the available data, and systematically review the prior literature may provide better insight into the differences in treatment efficacy for CSDH.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The clinical course of CSDH was described with a series of strictly defined outcome measures. PubMed, Cochrane Library, and ScienceDirect databases were searched for comparative studies of two main surgical techniques for CSDH, including burr hole craniotomy (BHC) and twist drill craniotomy (TDC). Data were collected with uniform criteria and analyzed using a random-effects model to estimate the mortality, recurrence, operative failure, and cure rates of each treatment.

RESULTS

Twelve comparative studies that examined 2,027 CSDH patients were included. The analysis results indicated that TDC and BHC treatments were similar in the mortality rates (RR, 1.25; 95% CI, 0.83-1.87; I2 = 0%; p = 0.28) and the recurrence rates (RR, 1.29; 95% CI, 0.87-1.92; I2 = 13%; p = 0.21) for CSDH patients. However, TDC had a significantly higher operative failure rate compared with BHC (RR, 0.35; 95% CI, 0.15-0.83; I2 = 0%; p = 0.02), whereas patients treated by a TDC approach tended to achieve higher cure rates compared with BHC (RR, 0.92; 95% CI, 0.86-0.99; I2 = 55%; p = 0.02).

CONCLUSIONS

The clarification of the definitions related to CSDH outcome facilitates the interpretation of differences in treatment efficacy. The TDC approach manifested a significantly higher operative failure rate compared with the BHC approach; however, TDC showed a tendency in achieving a long-term neurologic cure.

Detection of combined procalcitonin and c-reactive protein applied in the diagnosis of bacterial infections

In recent years, procalcitonin and C-reactive protein have been used as important indexes in the detection of inflammation. In order to analyze the combined detection of procalcitonin and C-reactive protein in infected patients, 57 subjects in the Clinical Laboratory of Zhengzhou Maternal and Child Health Hospital with a bacterial infection were selected as the observation group. Correspondingly, 57 non-infected subjects were selected for the control group. The procalcitonin and C-reactive protein levels in the included cases were analyzed and compared by extracting peripheral blood. The results showed that the two indexes of C-reactive protein (46.13±8.24 mg/L) and procalcitonin (6.61±3.45 ug/L) of the observation group were significantly higher than those of the control group (P less than 0.05). The positive rates of C-reactive protein (71.93%) and procalcitonin (91.23%) of the observation group were significantly higher than those of the control group (P less than0.05). Within the observation group, the C-reactive protein and procalcitonin levels in the infected patients after 2 and 3 days of treatment, decreased significantly (P less than 0.05). This study indicates that the combined detection of procalcitonin and C-reactive protein in patients with bacterial infections is effective and can be used in clinical settings.

Characterization, expression analysis and localization pattern of toll-like receptor 1 (tlr1) and toll-like receptor 2 (tlr2) genes in grass carp Ctenopharyngodon idella

In this study, the toll-like receptor 1 (tlr1) and toll-like receptor 2 (tlr2) genes of grass carp Ctenopharyngodon idella were cloned and characterized. tlr1 and tlr2 were found to be highly expressed in immune system organs such as spleen, middle kidney and heart kidney. The expression level of tlr1 and tlr2 was found to be up-regulated at the later stage of viral challenge process. Moreover, subcellular localization indicated that Tlr1 and Tlr2 shared similar localization pattern and both of them may locate in the plasma membrane of transfected cells.

A new species of Diapus Chapuis from South-West China and North Thailand (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Platypodinae)

The genus Diapus Chapuis was erected (Chapuis 1865) for four species of pinhole borer (Curculionidae: Platypodinae) from the Oriental region and New Guinea. It was distinguished from other platypodine genera primarily by the widely separated procoxae (Chapuis 1865). Hopkins (1914) designated Diapus quadrispinatus Chapuis, 1865 as the type species of the genus. The genus is currently placed in the platypodine tribe Tesserocerini, subtribe Diapodina (Alonso-Zarazaga & Lyal 2009). Only two genera are included in the Diapodina, Diapus and Genyocerus Motschulsky (Alonso-Zarazaga & Lyal 2009, Jordal 2015). Diapus is distinguished from Genyocerus by the following characters (Wood 1993, Beaver & Liu 2007): 1. In Diapus, the scutellum is narrower and more sunken, not flush with the elytral surface posteriorly as it is in Genyocerus. 2. The mycangial pores of Diapus are sometimes fused to form a transverse or crescentic bar on each side of the midline of the pronotum. This does not occur in Genyocerus. 3. The antennal club of Diapus sometimes has a median testaceous strip lacking sensillae on the anterior face. This strip is never present in Genyocerus. 4. The males of Diapus never possess a membranous extension of the apical margin of the fourth abdominal ventrite, present in some species of Genyocerus. 5. The females of Diapus often bear deciduous mandibular appendages, which are never present in Genyocerus (Beaver & Liu 2007).

A synopsis of the pin-hole borers of Thailand (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Platypodinae)

The present state of knowledge of the pin-hole borers of Thailand is summarised to provide a basis for future studies of the fauna and its economic importance in forestry and timber production. A checklist of the fauna is provided with information on local and world distribution, host trees, biology and taxonomy. Six faunal elements based on geographical distribution, and the host preferences of species are discussed. Ninety-two species have now been recorded in Thailand, of which forty-three are recorded here for the first time. Three species are endemic to Thailand. The following new combinations are given: Dinoplatypus piniperda (Schedl), Treptoplatypusfulgens (Schedl), both transferred from Platypus.