Short-term transplantation effect of a tissue-engineered meniscus constructed using drilled allogeneic acellular meniscus and BMSCs

During the construction of tissue-engineered meniscus, the low porosity of extracellular matrix restricts the flow of nutrient solution and the migration and proliferation of cells, thus affecting the tissue remodeling after transplantation. In this study, the canine allogeneic meniscus was drilled first and then decellularized. The drilled tissue-engineered menisci (Drilled Allogeneic Acellular Meniscus + Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells, BMSCs) were transplanted into the knee joints of model dogs. On the basis of ensuring the mechanical properties, the number of the porosity and the cells implanted in allogeneic acellular meniscus was significantly increased. The expression levels of glycosaminoglycans and type II collagen in the drilled tissue-engineered meniscus were also improved. It was determined that the animals in the experimental group recovered well-compared with those in the control group. The graft surface was covered with new cartilage, the retraction degree was small, and the tissue remodeling was good. The surface wear of the femoral condyle and tibial plateau cartilage was light. The results of this study showed that increasing the porosity of allogeneic meniscus by drilling could not only maintain the mechanical properties of the meniscus and increase the number of implanted cells but also promote cell proliferation and differentiation. After transplantation, the drilled tissue-engineered meniscus provided a good remodeling effect in vivo and played a positive role in repairing meniscal injury, protecting articular cartilage and restoring knee joint function.

SARS-CoV-2 and male infertility: from short- to long-term impacts

PURPOSE

The coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic-caused by a new type of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-has posed severe impacts on public health worldwide and has resulted in a total of > 6 million deaths. Notably, male patients developed more complications and had mortality rates ~ 77% higher than those of female patients. The extensive expression of the SARS-CoV-2 receptor and related proteins in the male reproductive tract and the association of serum testosterone levels with viral entry and infection have brought attention to COVID-19's effects on male fertility.

METHODS

The peer-reviewed articles and reviews were obtained by searching for the keywords SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19, endocrine, spermatogenesis, epididymis, prostate, and vaccine in the databases of PubMed, Web of Science and Google Scholar from 2020-2022.

RESULTS

This review summarizes the effects of COVID-19 on the male reproductive system and investigates the impact of various types of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines on male reproductive health. We also present the underlying mechanisms by which SARS-CoV-2 affects male reproduction and discuss the potentially harmful effects of asymptomatic infections, as well as the long-term impact of COVID-19 on male reproductive health.

CONCLUSION

COVID-19 disrupted the HPG axis, which had negative impacts on spermatogenesis and the epididymis, albeit further investigations need to be performed. The development of vaccines against various SARS-CoV-2 variations is important to lower infection rates and long-term COVID risks.

[Differential diagnosis and surgical management in chondrosarcoma of the jugular foramen]

Objective: To explore the diagnosis, surgical management and outcome of jugular foramen chondrosarcoma (CSA). Methods: Fifteen patients with jugular foramen CSA hospitalized in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery of Chinese PLA General Hospital from December 2002 to February 2020 were retrospectively collected,of whom 2 were male and 13 were female, aging from 22 to 61 years old. The clinical symptoms and signs, imaging features, differential diagnosis, surgical approaches, function of facial nerve and cranial nerves IX to XII, and surgical outcomes were analyzed. Results: Patients with jugular foramen CSA mainly presented with facial paralysis, hearing loss, hoarseness, cough, tinnitus and local mass. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) could provide important information for diagnosis. CT showed irregular destruction on bone margin of the jugular foramen. MR demonstrated iso or hypointense on T1WI, hyperintense on T2WI and heterogeneous contrast-enhancement. Surgical approaches were chosen upon the sizes and scopes of the tumors. Inferior temporal fossa A approach was adopted in 12 cases, inferior temporal fossa B approach in 2 cases and mastoid combined parotid approach in 1 case. Five patients with facial nerve involved received great auricular nerve graft. The House Brackmann (H-B) grading scale was used to evaluate the facial nerve function. Preoperative facial nerve function ranked grade Ⅴ in 4 cases and grade Ⅵ in 1 case. Postoperative facial nerve function improved to grade Ⅲ in 2 cases and grade Ⅵ in 3 cases. Five patients presented with cranial nerves Ⅸ and Ⅹ palsies. Hoarseness and cough of 2 cases improved after operation, while the other 3 cases did not. All the patients were diagnosed CSA by histopathology and immunohistochemistry, with immunohistochemical staining showing vimentin and S-100 positive, but cytokeratin negative in tumor cells. All patients survived during 28 to 234 months' follow-up. Two patients suffered from tumor recurrence 7 years after surgery and received revision surgery. No complications such as cerebrospinal fluid leakage and intracranial infection occurred after operation. Conclusions: Jugular foramen CSA lacks characteristic symptoms or signs. Imaging is helpful to differential diagnosis. Surgery is the primary treatment of jugular foramen CSA. Patients with facial paralysis should receive surgery in time as to restore the facial nerve. Long-term follow-up is necessary after surgery in case of recurrence.

[Phenotype-genotype analysis of the autosomal recessive hereditary hearing loss caused by OTOA variations]

Objective: To analyze the phenotypic-genotypic characteristics of hereditary deafness caused by OTOA gene variations. Methods: Family histories, clinical phenotypes and gene variations of six pedigrees were analyzed, which were diagnosed with hearing loss caused by OTOA gene variations at the PLA General Hospital from September 2015 to January 2022. The sequence variations were verified by Sanger sequencing and the copy number variations were validated by multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) in the family members. Results: The hearing loss phenotype caused by OTOA variations ranged from mild to moderate in the low frequencies, and from moderate to severe in the high frequencies in the probands, which came from six sporadic pedigrees, among which a proband was diagnosed as congenital deafness and five were diagnosed as postlingual deafness. One proband carried homozygous variations and five probands carried compound heterozygous variations in OTOA gene. Nine pathogenic variations (six copy number variations, two deletion variations and one missense variation) and two variations with uncertain significance in OTOA were identified in total, including six copy number variations and five single nucleotide variants, and three of the five single nucleotide variants were firstly reported [c.1265G>T(p.Gly422Val),c.1534delG(p.Ala513Leufs*11) and c.3292C>T(p.Gln1098fs*)]. Conclusions: OTOA gene variations can lead to autosomal recessive nonsyndromic hearing loss. In this study, the hearing loss caused by OTOA defects mostly presents as bilateral, symmetrical, and postlingual, and that of a few presents as congenital. The pathogenic variations of OTOA gene are mainly copy number variations followed by deletion variations and missense variations.

[Prevalence and related factors of visual disability, hearing disability and comorbidity of visual and hearing disability among the elderly in China]

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of visual disability, hearing disability and comorbidity of visual and hearing disability among the elderly in China, and explore the related factors of comorbidity of visual and hearing disability in the elderly. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. Based on the Second China National Sample Survey on Disability in 2006, the data of the elderly with visual and hearing disability were extracted and combined for descriptive analysis. Meanwhile, multivariate logistic regression model was used to analyze the related factors of comorbidity of visual and hearing disability among the elderly. Results: A total of 250 752 cases were in the final analysis (119 120 males and 131 632 females), and there were 164 003, 74 156 and 12 593 cases with the age of 65-<75, 75-<85 and ≥ 85 years, respectively. The prevalence of visual disability and hearing disability of the elderly in China was 8.10% (95%CI: 8.00%-8.21%), 13.41% (95%CI: 13.29%-13.54%), respectively, while the prevalence of comorbidity of visual and hearing disability was 1.97% (95%CI: 1.92%-2.02%). The severity of disability of the elderly with comorbidity of visual and hearing disability was higher, and the percentage of mild disabilities (18.31%, 966/5 277) was lower than those with visual (53.06%, 11 208/21 123) or hearing disabilities (32.96%, 11 536/34 995). Moreover, 19.40% (1 024/5 277) of visual or hearing disability occurred in the same year. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that education level below primary school (OR=0.65, 95%CI: 0.61-0.70, P<0.001), having a spouse (OR=0.68, 95%CI: 0.64-0.72, P<0.001), living in an urban area (OR=0.77, 95%CI: 0.71-0.82, P<0.001) and having a per capita household income higher than the national average (OR=0.73, 95%CI: 0.68-0.78, P<0.001) were protective factors for comorbidity of visual and hearing disability among the elderly. Conclusions: Visual disability is correlated with hearing disability in the elderly. Attention should be paid to the prevention and control of associated disabilities such as visual and hearing co-disabilities in the elderly population, with emphasis on strengthening publicity and education on prevention and control of visual and hearing disabilities for the elderly who are economically disadvantaged, have no spouse and live in remote areas.

Alleviating effect of mulberry leaf 1-deoxynojirimycin on resistin-induced hepatic steatosis and insulin resistance in mice

Resistin is upregulated in obese humans and mice, and elevated serum resistin induces insulin resistance and hepatic steatosis. Previous studies have revealed that mulberry 1-deoxynojirimycin (DNJ) is important for a variety of physiological processes, especially carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. However, it remains unclear whether DNJ has a positive effect on insulin resistance and hepatic steatosis, and what the exact mechanism is. Male C57BL/6J mice were treated with resistin with or without DNJ. DNJ reversed the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR)-induced by resistin and significantly decreased triglyceride levels both in the serum and liver. A histological analysis demonstrated that lipid accumulation significantly decreased in the DNJ group compared to the resistin group. A mechanistic analysis showed that DNJ significantly inhibited the resistin-induced decline in enzyme activities of hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) and hepatic lipase (HL) in serum and lipoprotein lipase (LPL) in liver. FAS and Acox13α were significantly altered by resistin but restored by DNJ. Furthermore, DNJ partially but significantly restored insulin-stimulated glucose uptake compared with the resistin group, suggesting that DNJ reversed the insulin sensitivity impaired by hyperresistinemia. Treatment of AML12 cells with DNJ significantly restored the expression level and phosphorylation of Akt. The transcriptional levels of InsR and IRS1, as well as the protein levels of InsR and Glut4 and phosphorylation of PI3K and GSK3β, were also normalized in the DNJ-treated group. In conclusion: mulberry DNJ significantly alleviated liver steatosis and insulin resistance in hyperresistinemia.

[Analysis of the factors influencing positive predictive value of noninvasive prenatal testing for chromosome aneuploidies]

Objective: To investigate the influence of Z-score and different risk factors on positive predictive value (PPV) of noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT) for chromosome aneuploidies. Methods: A total of 81 838 NIPT samples from January 1, 2016 to May 31, 2021 in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University were retrospectively analyzed. Invasive prenatal diagnosis was applied to verify the diagnosis of NIPT-positive results and the corresponding PPV was calculated. The PPV of the samples with different Z-score were compared. The women were divided into high-risk group and non-high-risk group: high-risk group (n=39 114) included those with ultrasound soft index abnormalities, advanced maternal age or high risk for maternal serum screening, while non-high-risk group (n=42 724) included those with intermediate risk for maternal serum screening or no indications. The differences of the PPV between these two groups were compared. Finally, the comprehensive influence of Z-score and different risk factors on PPV were analyzed. Results: A total of 471 high-risk cases were detected by NIPT results, including 362 cases of trisomy 21, 77 cases of trisomy 18 and 32 cases of trisomy 13. For trisomy 21, trisomy 18 and trisomy 13, there were 226 cases, 46 cases and 6 cases which were confirmed via invasive prenatal diagnosis respectively. The corresponding PPV were 79.3% (226/285), 82.1% (46/56) and 27.3% (6/22), respectively. PPV of trisomy 21 and trisomy 18 were positively correlated with the corresponding Z-score (r=0.92, 0.62, all P<0.05), while trisomy 13 could not be analyzed due to the small sample size. The PPV of high-risk group was 85.2% (207/243), which was higher than that of the non-high-risk group with PPV of 59.2%(71/120, χ²=30.30, P<0.01). When the Z-score was between 3-<4 and 4-<5, the PPV of the high-risk group were 46.2%(12/26)and 62.5%(15/24) respectively, which were higher than those of the non-high-risk group [16.0%(4/25) and 14.3%(3/21), χ²=4.10, 8.90, all P<0.05]. With the increase of Z-score, there was no significant difference in PPV between the two groups (all P>0.05). Conclusions: The PPV of trisomy 21 and trisomy 18 are positively correlated with Z-score. The PPV of high-risk group is higher than that of non-high-risk group. The combination of Z-score and other risk factors may provide more accurate genetic counseling for those with NIPT positive results.

Reprogramming adipose mesenchymal stem cells into islet β-cells for the treatment of canine diabetes mellitus

BACKGROUND

Islet transplantation is an excellent method for the treatment of type I diabetes mellitus. However, due to the limited number of donors, cumbersome isolation and purification procedures, and immune rejection, the clinical application is greatly limited. The development of a simple and efficient new method to obtain islet β-cells is a key problem that urgently requires a solution for the treatment of type I diabetes mellitus.

METHODS

In this study, Pbx1, Rfx3, Pdx1, Ngn3, Pax4 and MafA were used to form a six-gene combination to efficiently reprogram aMSCs (adipose mesenchymal stem cells) into ra-βCs (reprogrammed aMSCs-derived islet β-cells), and the characteristics and immunogenicity of ra-βCs were detected. Feasibility of ra-βCs transplantation for the treatment of diabetes mellitus in model dogs and clinical dogs was detected.

RESULTS

In this study, aMSCs were efficiently reprogrammed into ra-βCs using a six-gene combination. The ra-βCs showed islet β-cell characteristics. The immunogenicity of ra-βCs was detected and remained low in vitro and increased after transplantation. The cotransplantation of ra-βCs and aMSCs in the treatment of a model and clinical cases of canine diabetes mellitus achieved ideal therapeutic effects.

CONCLUSIONS

The aMSCs were efficiently reprogrammed into ra-βCs using a six-gene combination. The cotransplantation of ra-βCs and aMSCs as a treatment for canine diabetes is feasible, which provides a theoretical basis and therapeutic method for the treatment of canine diabetes.

[A study on longitudinal changes in white matter microstructure of parents who have lost their only child based on diffusion tensor imaging and its relationship with symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder]

Objective: To investigate the longitudinal changes of white matter microstructural based on diffusion tensor imaging in parents who lost their only child without psychiatric disorders and its relationship with symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Methods: Parents who had who lost their only child and without psychiatric disorders in Jiangsu Province, from September 2016 to March 2017, were retrospectively collected (TENP group, 32). MRI scans were performed at baseline and at the end of 5-year follow-up, and the Clinician Administered PTSD Scales (CAPS) were used for assessing the severity of symptoms. Additionally, sex, age and education level matched healthy subjects were recruited as healthy controls (control group, 27) and underwent MRI scanning using the same protocol. The differences of fractional anisotropy (FA) values between TENP group and control group at baseline were analyzed by using Tract-based spatial statistics method, and the brain areas of lateral differences were used as the regions of interest for longitudinal follow-up analysis of TENP group. Partial correlation analysis was used to evaluate the relationship between FA values changes in longitudinal differences in brain regions and CAPS scores. Results: Compared with the control group, FA values of the right cingulate gyrus, Uncinate fasciculus, superior longitudinal fasciculus, corticospinal tract, Inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus, Inferior longitudinal fasciculus and forceps major in TENP group were decreased at baseline ((0.613±0.032) vs (0.631±0.034), (0.539±0.048) vs (0.563±0.045), (0.534±0.033) vs (0.558±0.039), (0.560±0.038) vs (0.580±0.030), (0.519±0.023) vs(0.549±0.024), (0.489±0.038) vs (0.518±0.027), (0.499±0.027) vs (0.533±0.032); all P<0.05). From baseline to follow-up, scores of trauma reexperience symptoms and avoidance/numbness symptoms were decreased ((5.2±2.8) vs (8.1±4.9), (4.0±3.2) vs (6.6±5.4); all P<0.05); FA values of the right corticospinal tract, Inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus, Inferior longitudinal fasciculus and forceps major were decreased ((0.523±0.049) vs (0.537±0.049), (0.568±0.052) vs (0.590±0.050), (0.540±0.063) vs (0.559±0.059), (0.520±0.059) vs (0.547±0.059); all P<0.05); The decrease of FA values of the right Inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus and right Inferior longitudinal fasciculus was negatively correlated with the decrease of avoidance/numbness symptoms scores (r=-0.458, -0.374, respectively, all P<0.05). Conclusions: The trauma of parents who lost their only child can result in impaired microstructural integrity of white matter. As the post-traumatic time goes by, parents who have lost their only child do not develop to PTSD and other psychiatric disorders, and the clinical symptoms are alleviated, the damage of the white matter microstructure continued to progress.

The Roles of Different Multigene Combinations of Pdx1, Ngn3, Sox9, Pax4, and Nkx2.2 in the Reprogramming of Canine ADSCs Into IPCs

Adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSCs) are ideal sources for the treatment of diabetes, and the differentiation of ADSCs into insulin-producing cells (IPCs) through transfection of exogenous regulatory genes in vitro has been studied in depth. The differentiation of ADSCs is strictly regulated by a variety of transcription factors such as Pdx1, Ngn3, Pax4, Nkx2.2, and Sox9. However, whether these genes can coordinately regulate the differentiation of ADSCs into IPCs is still unknown. In this study, five multigene coexpressing adenovirus vectors (pAdTrack-Pdx1-Ngn3-AdEasy, pAdTrack-Pdx1-Ngn3-Sox9-AdEasy, pAdTrack-Pdx1-Ngn3-Pax4-Sox9-AdEasy, pAdTrack-Pdx1-Ngn3-Nkx2.2-Sox9-AdEasy, and pAdTrack-Pdx1-Ngn3-Nkx2.2-Pax4-AdEasy) were constructed, and then the stocks of the packaged adenoviruses were used to infect the canine ADSCs (cADSCs). Based on results of morphological observation, dithizone staining, sugar-stimulated insulin secretion test, cellular insulin immunofluorescence assays, and the detection of pancreatic β-cell development-related genes in the induced cells, the best induction combination (pAdTrack-Pdx1-Ngn3-Nkx2.2-Pax4-AdEasy) was identified after comparative screening. This study provides a theoretical reference and an experimental basis for further research on stem cell replacement therapy for diabetes.

[Analysis of COL1A1 gene variation and clinical prevention and treatment in patients with Van der Hoeve syndrome]

Objective: To investigate the clinical phenotype, treatment and prevention of Van der Hoeve syndrome, and analyze the variation characteristics of its related gene COL1A1. Methods: Hearing and sequencing data of syndromic deafness patients who had undergone genetic testing for deafness at the Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital since January 2008 to October 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. The variation of the COL1A1 gene and return visits to traceable patients and families were summarized, the disease progress and clinical treatment effects were analyzed, and the prevention strategies were discussed. Results: A total of 7 patients with COL1A1 gene mutation underwent clinical intervention. The mutation sites were c.1342A>T (p.Lys448*), c.124C>T (p.Gln42*), c.249insG(p.Ala84*), c.668insC(p.Gly224*), c.2829+1G>C, c.1081C>T (p.Arg361*), c.1792C>T (p.Arg598*), of which c.1081C>T and c.1792C>T had been previously reported, and the remaining 5 were novo mutations that have not been reported. All the 7 probands underwent stapes implantation and received genetic counseling and prevention guidance. Conclusions: Van der Hoeve syndrome belongs to osteogenesis imperfecta type Ⅰ. The disease has high penetrance. Timely surgical intervention for hearing loss can improve the life quality in patients. Accurate genetic counseling and preimplantation genetic diagnosis can achieve the primary prevention for the disease.

RNA-Seq Analysis of the Effect of Zinc Deficiency on Microsporum canis, ZafA Gene Is Important for Growth and Pathogenicity

Microsporum canis, a common pathogenic skin fungus, can cause dermatophytosis in humans and animals. Zinc is an important trace element and plays an important role in the growth and metabolism of fungi. Currently, the effects of zinc deficiency on growth, gene expression, and metabolic pathway have not been clarified in M. canis. Therefore, M. canis was cultured under zinc restriction, and RNA-Seq was conducted in this study. The growth of M. canis was severely inhibited, and many genes showed significant upregulation and downregulation in M. canis with zinc deficiency. Zinc deficiency could negatively affect the gene expression and biological metabolic pathway in M. canis. The zinc-responsiveness transcriptional activator (ZafA) gene was significantly upregulated and shared homology with Zap1. Thus, the ZafA gene might be the main transcription factor regulating M. canis zinc homeostasis. The ZafA gene knockout strain, ZafA-hph, was constructed via Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation (ATMT) in M. canis for the first time to assess its function. In vitro growth ability, hair biodegradation ability, virulence test, and zinc absorption capacity in ZafA-hph and wild-type M. canis strains were compared. Results showed that the ZafA gene plays an important role in zinc absorption, expression of zinc transporter genes, and growth and pathogenicity in M. canis and can be used as a new drug target. Cutting off the zinc absorption pathway can be used as a way to prevent and control infection in M. canis.

Novel Functional Genes Involved in Transdifferentiation of Canine ADMSCs Into Insulin-Producing Cells, as Determined by Absolute Quantitative Transcriptome Sequencing Analysis

The transdifferentiation of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSCs) into insulin-producing cells (IPCs) is a potential resource for the treatment of diabetes. However, the changes of genes and metabolic pathways on the transdifferentiation of ADMSCs into IPCs are largely unknown. In this study, the transdifferentiation of canine ADMSCs into IPCs was completed using five types of procedures. Absolute Quantitative Transcriptome Sequencing Analysis was performed at different stages of the optimal procedure. A total of 60,151 transcripts were obtained. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were divided into five groups: IPC1 vs. ADSC (1169 upregulated genes and 1377 downregulated genes), IPC2 vs. IPC1 (1323 upregulated genes and 803 downregulated genes), IPC3 vs. IPC2 (722 upregulated genes and 680 downregulated genes), IPC4 vs. IPC3 (539 upregulated genes and 1561 downregulated genes), and Beta_cell vs. IPC4 (2816 upregulated genes and 4571 downregulated genes). The gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis of DEGs revealed that many genes and signaling pathways that are essential for transdifferentiation. Hnf1B, Dll1, Pbx1, Rfx3, and Foxa1 were screened out, and the functions of five genes were verified further by overexpression and silence. Foxa1, Pbx1, and Rfx3 exhibited significant effects, can be used as specific key regulatory factors in the transdifferentiation of ADMSCs into IPCs. This study provides a foundation for future work to understand the mechanisms of the transdifferentiation of ADMSCs into IPCs and acquire IPCs with high maturity.

[Reconstruction of complex tissue defects in temporal region: report of 3 cases]

Objective: To discuss the techniques and repairing methods of various degree of compound tissue defects in the auriculotemporal region. Methods: Retrospective analysis was conducted on three cases of different repairing methods for huge compound tissue defects in different degrees in the auriculotemporal region after the resection of the malignant tumor or sinus tract due to repeated infection in our hospital. Results: Following total removal of the tumors or sinus tract in all patients, we applied retroauricular lingual flap transfer repairing, latissimus dorsi flap free transfer repairing and vascular anastomosis, scalp tissue expansion in stage Ⅰ, then repairing the lesion with expanded scalp and filling the huge mastoid cavity with abdominal fat in stage Ⅱ, respectively, according to the characteristics of compound tissue defects in the auriculotemporal region. All free flaps survived well. Conclusions: The anatomy of the auricular-temporal area is complex and involves important vascular and neural structures of head and neck and lateral skull base. The huge composite tissue defect following auriculotemporal region surgery, which is composed of skin, muscle and bone tissue, needs to be repaired in one stage. Therefore, flexible repairing methods should be chosen based on different situations, for attaining the goal of completely removing tumor and lesions, and then, covering the operation cavity.

Transcriptome analysis of the transdifferentiation of canine BMSCs into insulin producing cells

Background

Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells are a potential resource for the clinical therapy of certain diseases. Canine, as a companion animal, living in the same space with human, is an ideal new model for human diseases research. Because of the high prevalence of diabetes, alternative transplantation islets resource (i.e. insulin producing cells) for diabetes treatment will be in urgent need, which makes our research on the transdifferentiation of Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells into insulin producing cells become more important.

Result

In this study, we completed the transdifferentiation process and achieved the transcriptome profiling of five samples with two biological duplicates, namely, “BMSCs”, “islets”, “stage 1”, “stage 2” and “stage 3”, and the latter three samples were achieved on the second, fifth and eighth day of induction. A total of 11,530 differentially expressed transcripts were revealed in the profiling data. The enrichment analysis of differentially expressed genes revealed several signaling pathways that are essential for regulating proliferation and transdifferentiation, including focal adhesion, ECM-receptor interaction, tight junction, protein digestion and absorption, and the Rap1 signaling pathway. Meanwhile, the obtained protein–protein interaction network and functional identification indicating involvement of three genes, SSTR2, RPS6KA6, and VIP could act as a foundation for further research.

Conclusion

In conclusion, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first survey of the transdifferentiation of canine BMSCs into insulin-producing cells according with the timeline using next-generation sequencing technology. The three key genes we pick out may regulate decisive genes during the development of transdifferentiation of insulin producing cells.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12864-021-07426-3.

[Surgical strategy of minimally invasive cochlear implantation]

Cochlear implantation is currently the most effective treatment for patients with severe-to-profound sensorineural hearing loss. How to achieve minimally invasive treatment, preserve the residual hearing, and further improve curative effect and reduce surgical complications is the goal of cochlear implantation practice. This article introduces the minimally invasive cochlear implantation technique in terms of the idea of minimally invasive operation, the advantages of electric acoustic stimulation, the key points of electrode implantation technique, the design of surgical incision, and the precise processing of perioperative period. This technique not only has the merits of less operative damage and better hearing and speech rehabilitation after surgery, but also reserves favorable structures and function for the future application of gene therapy and hair cell regeneration technique. Therefore, it is strongly recommended for further promotion in clinical practice.

[Confirmation and analysis of 2 398 positive results of cell-free fetal DNA]

Objective: To explore the clinical application value and accuracy of cell-free fetal DNA (cff-DNA) technique in prenatal screening. Methods: The results of quantitative fluorescent PCR (QF-PCR) and karyotype of amniotic fluid cells were analyzed retrospectively in 2 398 monocyesis pregnant women who had been amniocentesis at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from May 2013 to December 2019, and the results of 359 cases who had been examined by single-nucleotide polymorphism array (SNP array). Results: Cff-DNA test of 2, 398 cases indicated 987 cases of trisomy 21, 351 cases of trisomy 18, 135 cases of trisomy 13, 566 cases of sex chromosome abnormality, and 359 cases of other chromosome abnormality. Chromosome karyotype analysis detected 826 cases of trisomy 21, 213 cases of trisomy 18, 17 cases of trisomy 13, 221 cases of sex chromosome abnormality, and 26 cases of other chromosome abnormality. The detection rate were 83.69% (826/987), 60.68% (213/351), 12.59% (17/135), 39.04% (221/566) and 7.24% (26/359), respectively. QF-PCR detected 1 046 cases of trisomy and 188 cases of sex chromosomes abnormality, and the detection rate was 99.05% (1 046/1 056) and 85.07% (188/221), respectively. Compared with the abnormal number detected by chromosome karyotype analysis, 10 cases of trisomeric chimerism and 24 cases of sex chromosome were missed by QF-PCR. Among the 359 other chromosomal abnormalities detected by SNP array, 64 cases were consistent with the results of cff-DNA, and the detection rate was 17.83% (64/359), which was 10.59% higher than the karyotype result. Conclusions: Karyotype analysis is the gold standard for diagnosing chromosomal abnormalities. QF-PCR could diagnose common chromosome aneuploidy rapidly and accurately, and it could be used as an auxiliary detection technique for karyotype analysis. The incidence of sex chromosome chimerism is high, so missed diagnosis should be warned. SNP array could be given priority to verify chromosome microdeletion or microduplication detected by cff-DNA.

Cell Fate and Tissue Remodeling in Canine Urethral Repair Using a Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cell+Endothelial Progenitor Cell Amniotic Patch

The Editors of Tissue Engineering: Part A retract the article entitled, "Cell Fate and Tissue Remodeling in Canine Urethral Repair Using a Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cell+Endothelial Progenitor Cell Amniotic Patch," by Wenxin Zhang, Xin Zhang, Yihua Zhang, Xinke Zhang, Tong Zou, Wen Zhao, Yangou Lv, Jinglu Wang, Pengxiu Dai, Hao Cui, Yi Zhang, Dengke Gao, Chenmei Ruan, and Xia Zhang (epub ahead of print September 21, 2020; DOI: http://doi.org/10.1089/ten.tea.2020.0129). After the online publication of the article, the authors have indicated that they "feel that we have not yet studied our work completely and some new great results are discovered. So after carefully thinking, we are going to rearrange this manuscript and try to give more precise model. [sic]" The authors have not explained what those expected results will be, so it remains unclear the direction their work is headed. The authors also indicated that they plan to submit an updated version of the paper to Tissue Engineering in the future. Upon submission the new manuscript will undergo rigorous peer review, and there is no guarantee of acceptance.

Isolation and characterization of endothelial progenitor cells from canine bone marrow

Endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) are located predominantly in the bone marrow. These cells are useful for treating human vascular diseases; they also are a possible target for restricting blood vessel growth for tumors. Little is known about canine EPC. We investigated a bone marrow EPC isolation method that combines the whole bone marrow culture method and the differential adherent speed method using stillborn canines. MTT proliferation, flow cytometry detection, Dil-ac-LDL uptake, FITC-UEA-1 binding and matrigel assays were used to identify and characterize EPC. We isolated two types of EPC: early EPC and late EPC. We found that isolated cells produced typical colony and cobblestone morphology, and were positive for CD31, CD34, CD133 and VEGFR-2. Significant differences were observed in the intensity of expression between early and late EPC, which suggests their different roles during angiogenesis and vasculogenesis. Both early and late EPC were positive for Dil-ac-LDL and FITC-UEA-1, and displayed tube formation when re-suspended in matrigel, both of which are important functional criteria for identifying EPC. Our method is a novel, effective and efficient way to produce enriched EPC.

Self-made Salmonella Pullorum agglutination antigen development and its potential practical application

Pullorum disease caused by Salmonella Pullorum is one of the most important infectious diseases in the poultry industry worldwide, which leads to serious economic losses in many developing countries because of its high mortality rate in young chicks. The traditional slide agglutination test with low cost, fast reaction, and on-site detection has been widely used in the diagnosis of Pullorum disease. However, in practice, the test performance is with the disadvantages of false positive results and unstable detection results. In this paper, we developed self-made agglutination antigens prepared by local isolates in the poultry farm and compare the detection performance with commercial agglutination antigens (China Institute of Veterinary Drug Control) and Group D Salmonella ELISA kit (BioChek UK Ltd). The results of detecting 200 serum samples indicated that the consistency of commercial agglutination antigen detecting in 2 times was only 79.5%. Using the ELISA kit as the reference method, the commercial agglutination antigen detecting results of the Kappa test were only moderately consistent (0.58 ∼ 0.59). Meanwhile, positive and total coincidence rates of the self-made agglutination antigen test with more reliable repeat could reach 97.4 and 88%, respectively, and the result of Kappa test was highly consistent (0.75). The Receiver Operating Characteristic curve analysis clarified that the area under the receiver-operating-characteristic curve values of self-made and commercial agglutination antigen tests could reach 0.861 and 0.804, respectively. These results were coincident when detecting known positive serum from the infected chickens. It's worth mentioning that the visible positive reaction of self-made agglutination antigen test appeared faster and stronger than commercial antigen test. In conclusion, self-made Salmonella Pullorum agglutination antigen developed in this study was much better than commercial agglutination antigen and is expected to be a valuable tool in the diagnosis of the epidemiology of Salmonella Pullorum.

Computer-generated photorealistic hologram using ray-wavefront conversion based on the additive compressive light field approach

The conventional computer-generated hologram reconstructing photorealistic three-dimensional (3D) images based on ray-wavefront conversion has the disadvantage of spatio-angular resolution trade-off. In this Letter, we propose for the first time, to the best of our knowledge, a computer-generated photorealistic hologram without spatio-angular resolution trade-off based on the additive compressive light field (CLF) approach. The original light field is compressed into multiple layer images through numerical optimization based on the additive light field principle. Then, by independently calculating the wave propagation from each layer image to the hologram plane and adding them together, a CLF hologram is generated. Since the CLF information is presented through a holographic method, the advantage of high resolution in CLF is preserved while the limitation of the number of physically stacked layers (such as liquid crystal displays) is removed, leading to higher quality, larger depth of field, and higher brightness compared with a conventional CLF display. The proposed method is verified with a photorealistic optical experiment.

[PTPN11 and the deafness]

Summary PTPN11 gene encodes tyrosine phosphatase SHP-2 which locates on chromosome 12（12q24.1）, expresses in most embryonic and adult tissues, and plays pivotal roles in cell proliferation, differentiation, survival and cell death. SHP-2 apparently participates in signaling events downstream of RAS-MAPK and JAK/STAT. Diseases related to PTPN11 gene mutations include the Noonan syndrome（NS） and the NS with Multiple Lentigines（NSML）. Both NS and NSML contain the phenotypes of deafness, craniofacial anomalies, short stature, congenital heart defects, skin disorders, ophthalmologic abnormalities and cancer predisposition.

[Case report and diagnosis of Noonan syndrome with multiple lentigines with deafness as its main clinical feature]

Summary Noonan syndrome with multiple lentigines（NSML） is a disorder with syndromic hearing loss. Abnormalities of other systems in NSML have received increasing attention, but hearing loss is rarely concerned. And due to the incomplete phenotype, some patients with NSML maybe missed or maybe confused with other syndromic deafness such as Waardenburg syndrome. Our study will familiarize more otolaryngologists with Leopard syndrome. A 5-year-old boy with bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and numerous symmetrically distributed dark brown macules that had good effect of cochlear implantation was collected in this study. And his father had bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and numerous symmetrically distributed dark brown macules. Waardenburg syndrome was initially diagnosed by clinical phenotype and its molecular etiology was confirmed by gene diagnosis. Waardenburg syndrome-related deafness genes and 131 known deafness genes were not identified by second-generation sequencing. Whole-exon sequencing was performed for 4 individuals in the family and the results were confirmed by Sanger sequencing. This study confirmed the diagnosis by identifying a disease-causing mutation in the PTPN11 gene, which was a heterozygous missense mutation at p. Tyr279Cys（c. 836A>G）. The mutation co-segregated with hearing loss in the family. Our results demonstrated that hearing loss in this family was caused by heterozygous mutations in PTPN11. These cases will familiarize more otolaryngologists with NSML, and they emphasize the importance of considering NSML as a possible cause of hearing problems.

Testosterone propionate can promote effects of acellular nerve allograft-seeded bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells on repairing canine sciatic nerve

Peripheral human nerves fail to regenerate across long tube implants (>2 cm), and tissue-engineered nerve grafts represent a promising treatment alternative. The present study aims to investigate the testosterone propionate (TP) repair effect of acellular nerve allograft (ANA) seeded with allogeneic bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) on 3-cm canine sciatic nerve defect. ANA cellularized with allogeneic BMSCs was implanted to the defect, and TP was injected into the lateral crus of the defected leg. The normal group, the autograft group, the ANA + BMSCs group, the ANA group, and the nongrafted group were used as control. Five months postoperatively, dogs in the TP + ANA + BMSCs group were capable of load bearing, normal walking, and skipping, the autograft group and the ANA + BMSCs group demonstrated nearly the same despite a slight limp. The compound muscle action potentials (CMAPs) on the injured side to the uninjured site in the TP + ANA + BMSCs group were significantly higher than that in the ANA + BMSCs group [CMAPs ratio at A: F(3, 20) = 191.40; 0.02, CMAPs ratio at B: F(3, 20) = 43.27; 0.01]. Masson trichrome staining revealed that in the TP + ANA + BMSCs group, both the diameter ratio of the myelinated nerve and the thickness ratio of regenerated myelin sheath were significantly larger than that in the other groups [the diameter of myelinated nerve fibers: F(3, 56) = 13.45; P < .01, the thickness ratio of regenerated myelin sheath: F(3, 56) = 51.25; P < .01]. In conclusion, TP could significantly increase the repairing effects of the ANA + BMSCs group, and their combination was able to repair 3-cm canine sciatic nerve defect. It therefore represents a promising therapeutic approach.

[Clinical diagnosis and surgical management of 110 cases of facial nerve schwannomas]

Objective: To elucidate the clinical behavior, causes of misdiagnosis, surgical management, and outcomes of facial nerve schwannomas (FNS). Methods: A retrospective review in Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital from January 1, 2002 to December 31, 2015 was carried out and evaluated 110 patients with FNS, including 50 males and 60 females, aged 16-67 years old. The appropriate surgical strategy was selected based on each patient's clinical manifestations, facial nerve function, and imaging characteristics. After surgery, patients received follow-up visits to assess their facial nerve functions, with the effect of treatment compared to the reality before surgery. The Kruskal-Wallis H test was used to distinguish between the pre- and post-operation facial nerve functions in patients who had different facial nerve functions before the operations. Results: 110 cases of FNS mainly presented with facial paralysis, hearing loss, tinnitus, otalgia, dizziness, and facial spasm. 20 of the cases were misdiagnosed as Bell's Palsy, 6 were mistaken for chronic otitis media/cholesteatoma with radical mastoidectomy, 3 were mistaken for Meniere's disease, 1 was misdiagnosed as petrous bone cholesteatoma, and 4 were mistaken for acoustic neuroma. 81.8 % (90/110) of the patients had multiple segments of the facial nerve, including the vertical segment of the facial nerve, accounting for 65.5% (72/110), followed by the labyrinthine/geniculate segment, for 61.8% (68/110), and the horizontal segment, for 55.5% (61/110). The appropriate surgical approaches were chosed based on the sizes and scopes of the tumors evaluated by imaging: transmastoid approach in 73 cases, translabyrinthe approach in 14 cases, middle cranial fossa approach in 13 cases, retrosigmoid approach in 3 cases, transmastoid-middle cranial fossa approach in 3 cases, and transmastoid-neck approach in 4 cases, with all the patients undergoing a total/subtotal resection of the tumor. Eighty-seven patients had their facial nerves reconstructed. Among them, 6 received facial nerve end-to-end anastomosis, 55 received great auricular nerve graft, and 26 were subjected to facial nerve-hypoglossal nerve anastomosis. Because of long histories, facial muscle atrophies, or other reasons, the remaining patients were not received facial nerve reconstruction. The House-Brackmann(H-B) grading scale was used to evaluate the facial nerve function pre- and post-operation. Patients with better facial nerve functions and shorter history of facial paralysis before operation would get relatively better facial nerve function. The before and after operation comparisons revealed that the recovery of the facial nerve functions in patients with H-B Ⅰ-Ⅲ was better than the improvement in patients with H-B Ⅳ-Ⅴ. The difference was statistically significant (Kruskal-Wallis H test, H=8.508, P<0.05). Conclusions: The diagnosis of patients with unknown facial paralysis, hearing loss, and tinnitus should take into account the possibility of FNS. CT and other imaging examinations of the temporal bone can avoid misdiagnosis and determine the tumor size and extent of lesions, as well as provide the basis for the choice of the surgical approach. After tumors have been completely resected, facial nerve reconstruction can be performed simultaneously, according to the defect of the nerve.

Coactosin-like protein 1 inhibits neuronal migration during mouse corticogenesis

Coactosin-like protein 1 (Cotl1), a member of the actin-depolymerizing factor (ADF)/cofilin family, was first purified from a soluble fraction of Dictyostelium discoideum cells. Neuronal migration requires cytoskeletal remodeling and actin regulation. Although Cotl1 strongly binds to F-actin, the role of Cotl1 in neuronal migration remains undescribed. In this study, we revealed that Cotl1 overexpression impaired migrationof both early- and late-born neurons during mouse corticogenesis. Moreover, Cotl1 overexpression delayed, rather than blocked, neuronal migration in late-born neurons. Cotl1 expression disturbed the morphology of migrating neurons, lengthening the leading processes. This study is the first to investigate the function of Cotl1, and the results indicate that Cotl1 is involved in the regulation of neuronal migration and morphogenesis.

Transcriptome sequencing and analysis of zinc-uptake-related genes in Trichophyton mentagrophytes

Background

Trichophyton mentagrophytes is an important zoonotic dermatophytic (ringworm) pathogen; causing severe skin infection in humans and other animals worldwide. Fortunately, commonly used fungal skin disease prevention and treatment measures are relatively simple. However, T. mentagrophytes is primarily studied at the epidemiology and drug efficacy research levels, yet current study has been unable to meet the needs of clinical medicine.

Zinc is a crucial trace element for the growth and reproduction of fungi and other microorganisms. The metal ions coordinate within a variety of proteins to form zinc finger proteins, which perform many vital biological functions. Zinc transport regulatory networks have not been resolved in T. mentagrophytes. The T. mentagrophytes transcriptome will allow us to discover new genes, particularly those genes involved in zinc uptake.

Result

We found T. mentagrophytes growth to be restricted by zinc deficiency; natural T. mentagrophytes growth requires zinc ions. T. Mentagrophytes must acquire zinc ions for growth and development.

The transcriptome of T. mentagrophytes was sequenced by using Illumina HiSeq™ 2000 technology and the de novo assembly of the transcriptome was performed by using the Trinity method, and functional annotation was analyzed. We got 10,751 unigenes. The growth of T. mentagrophytes is severely inhibited and there were many genes showing significant up regulation and down regulation respectively in T. mentagrophytes when zinc deficiency. Zinc deficiency can affect the expression of multiple genes of T. mentagrophytes. The effect of the zinc deficiency could be recovered in the normal medium. And we finally found the zinc-responsive activating factor (ZafA) and speculated that 4 unigenes are zinc transporters. We knocked ZafA gene by ATMT transformation in T. mentagrophytes, the result showed that ZafA gene is very important for the growth and the generation of conidia in T. mentagrophytes. The expression of 4 zinc transporter genes is potentially regulated by the zinc-responsive activating factor. The data of this study is also sufficient to be used as a support to study T. mentagrophytes.

Conclusion

We reported the first large transcriptome study carried out in T. mentagrophytes where we have compared physiological and transcriptional responses to zinc deficiency, and analyzed the expression of genes involved in zinc uptake. The study also produced high-resolution digital profiles of global genes expression relating to T. mentagrophytes growth.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12864-017-4284-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Transplantation of Amniotic Scaffold-Seeded Mesenchymal Stem Cells and/or Endothelial Progenitor Cells From Bone Marrow to Efficiently Repair 3-cm Circumferential Urethral Defect in Model Dogs

The treatment options for patients with a urethral defect are limited by the availability of autologous tissues. We hypothesized that transplantation of decellularized human amniotic scaffolds (dHAS) seeded with allogeneic bone marrow mesenchymal cells (BMSCs) and/or endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) may serve as a promising repair strategy for long segment of circumferential urethral defect. To verify the hypothesis, with urinary catheterization, a 3-cm segment of whole urethra in 25 male mongrel dogs was excised and replaced by dHAS seeded with allogeneic BMSCs and/or EPCs. Postoperative observation and ascending urethrogram found that dHAS+BMSCs+EPCs and dHAS+EPCs groups demonstrated unhindered urination and capacious urethral caliber, which were similar to the normal group, while urethrostenosis was revealed in dHAS+BMSCs, dHAS, and sham-operated groups, with the shortest narrow section in dHAS+BMSCs group and the longest in sham-operated group. Urethral anatomy check and histological analyses showed that new urethral mucosa composed of stratified columnar epithelium completely covered on the inner surface of the graft site in dHAS+BMSCs+EPCs and dHAS+EPCs groups, but the middle epithelium was thin in dHAS+EPCs group, while incompletely covered in dHAS+BMSCs, dHAS, and sham-operated groups, and there were monolayer epithelial cells at the urethrostenosis in dHAS+BMSCs and dHAS groups. In addition, abundant new vessel and blood sinus showed at submucosa in dHAS+BMSCs+EPCs and dHAS+EPCs groups, instead of the scar tissue of collagen deposition and structural distortion at the urethrostenosis in dHAS+BMSCs, dHAS, and sham-operated groups. This study demonstrates that dHAS seeded with BMSCs+EPCs or EPCs can successfully repair a 3-cm circumferential urethral defect in model dogs, but the former works best. This technology may provide some references for human clinical trials on long segment of circumferential urethral defect repair.

[The surgical treatment of middle ear cholesteatoma complicated with peripheral facial paralysis (with 22 cases)]

Objective:To summarize the clinical characteristics, the surgical methods and the recovery of facial nerve function outcomes in patients with the middle ear cholesteatoma complicated with peripheral facial paralysis.Method:Retrospective analysis method was used on patients treated for middle ear cholesteatoma associated with peripheral facial paralysis. Facial nerve decompression and great auricular nerve grafting were performed for restoration of facial nerve. Facial nerve function was assessed with the House-Brackmann (H-B) grade scale. Spearman test was employed for statistic analysis.Result:Surgical exploration revealed that the cholesteatoma was mainly located in epitympanic cavity, mastoid and sinus tympani, which mainly damaged the tympanic segment of facial nerve. Nineteen cases with facial nerve edema, including complete sheath (n=15) and sheath defect (n=4), were performed decompression. Among which 15 recovered to H-B Ⅰ, 3 recovered to H-B Ⅱ, 1 recovered to H-B Ⅳ. Three cases with facial nerve disrupt underwent great auricular nerve grafting, 1 recovered to H-B Ⅳ, 2 recovered to H-BⅤ. The rate of recovery to H-B Ⅰ or Ⅱ in patients underwent surgery within 2 weeks was 92.3%(12/13).Conclusion:When the middle ear cholesteatoma complicated with peripheral facial paralysis, surgery should be carried out as soon as possible. After removed the cholesteatoma completely, facial nerve decompression could acquire a better facial nerve function recovery compared to great auricular grafting.

[Petrous bone cholesteatoma: surgery approach and outcomes]

Objective: To investigate the choice of surgical approach of petrous bone cholesteatoma (PBC)and surgical outcomes. Methods: A retrospective study was performed on 90 patients diagnosed and treated for PBC from January 2000 to December 2014 by the Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital otolaryngologists. According to Sanna's classification, 40 out of the 90 cases were supralabyrinthine, five infralabyrinthine, four infralabyrinthine-apical, 25 massive and 16 apical. Five cases underwent transmastoid and retrolabyrinthine approach, translabyrinthine approach was performed on six patients, 19 cases underwent subtotal petrosectomy, seven cases underwent transotic approach, 41 cases underwent middle fossa approach, combined transmastoid/middle fossa approach was performed on 11 cases, translabyrinthine and sphenoid sinus approach were performed on one case. Supralabyrinthine cases mainly applied middle fossa approach (77.5%, 31/40) and combined transmastoid and middle-fossa approach(20.0%, 8/40). Combined transmastoid-retrolabyrinthine approach were applied for all the infralabyrinthine cases (100.0%, 5/5). Infralabyrinthine-apical cases mainly applied subtotal petrosectomy (75.0%, 3/4). Massive cases mainly applied subtotal petrosectomy (60.0%, 15/25), transcochlear approach (20.0%, 5/25), and translabyrinthine approach (16.0%, 4/25). Apical cases mainly applied middle fossa approach (62.5%, 10/16). Results: Ninty percent (18/20) of the patients who had preoperative grade Ⅰ facial nerve function maintained in the postoperative period. Out of 90 cases, only 11 cases received open cavity, and the rest cases received cavityobliteration. There were three cases of recurrence, four cases of cavity infection, three cases of cerebrospinal fluid leakage, and one case of epidural hematoma, who all received surgeries. Conclusions: Sanna's classification should be used to classify different kinds of PBC cases, choose the best surgical approach for different cases, and preserve or repair facial function during removal of PBC, and thus reduce recurrence and complications.

[6 cases of temporal bone carcinoid clinical analysis]

Objective: This study is aimed at reporting 6 cases of temporal bone carcinoid and analyzing clinical and prognostic features of temporal bone carcinoid.Method: Clinical data from 6 cases of temporal bone carcinoid treated from July 2008 to July 2015 at the Chinese PLA General Hospital were reviewed. Based on temporal bone lesions row subtotal temporal bone resection or temporal bone extensive excision.Result: Six patients imaging data shows a different range of temporal bone lesions. Pathological both temporal bone carcinoid. The final diagnosis is unilateral primary temporal bone carcinoid. All of them received surgical partial resection of the temporal bone in our hospital,and there were no serious complications.Follow-up of 5 cases had no recurrence,and 1 case died spread to the liver.Conclusion:The diagnosis of temporal bone carcinoid relies mainly on pathology and immunohistochemistry. Temporal bone carcinoid could be treated by surgical.

Highly sensitive fluorescence detection of metastatic lymph nodes of gastric cancer with photo-oxidation of protoporphyrin IX

BACKGROUND

The establishment of a precise and rapid method to detect metastatic lymph nodes (LNs) is essential to perform less invasive surgery with reduced gastrectomy along with reduced lymph node dissection. We herein describe a novel imaging strategy to detect 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA)-induced protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) fluorescence in excised LNs specifically with reduced effects of tissue autofluorescence based on photo-oxidation of PpIX. We applied the method in a clinical setting, and evaluated its feasibility.

METHODS

To reduce the unfavorable effect of autofluorescence, we focused on photo-oxidation of PpIX: Following light irradiation, PpIX changes into another substance, photo-protoporphyrin, via an oxidative process, which has a different spectral peak, at 675 nm, whereas PpIX has its spectral peak at 635 nm. Based on the unique spectral alteration, fluorescence spectral imaging before and after light irradiation and subsequent originally-developed image processing was performed. Following in vitro study, we applied this method to a total of 662 excised LNs obtained from 30 gastric cancer patients administered 5-ALA preoperatively.

RESULTS

Specific visualization of PpIX was achieved in in vitro study. The method allowed highly sensitive detection of metastatic LNs, with sensitivity of 91.9% and specificity of 90.8% in the in vivo clinical trial. Receiver operating characteristic analysis indicated high diagnostic accuracy, with the area under the curve of 0.926.

CONCLUSIONS

We established a highly sensitive and specific 5-ALA-induced fluorescence imaging method applicable in clinical settings. The novel method has a potential to become a useful tool for intraoperative rapid diagnosis of LN metastasis.

A novel role for the apoptosis inhibitor ARC in suppressing TNFα-induced regulated necrosis

TNFα signaling can promote apoptosis or a regulated form of necrosis. ARC (apoptosis repressor with CARD (caspase recruitment domain)) is an endogenous inhibitor of apoptosis that antagonizes both the extrinsic (death receptor) and intrinsic (mitochondrial/ER) apoptosis pathways. We discovered that ARC blocks not only apoptosis but also necrosis. TNFα-induced necrosis was abrogated by overexpression of wild-type ARC but not by a CARD mutant that is also defective for inhibition of apoptosis. Conversely, knockdown of ARC exacerbated TNFα-induced necrosis, an effect that was rescued by reconstitution with wild-type, but not CARD-defective, ARC. Similarly, depletion of ARC in vivo exacerbated necrosis caused by infection with vaccinia virus, which elicits severe tissue damage through this pathway, and sensitized mice to TNFα-induced systemic inflammatory response syndrome. The mechanism underlying these effects is an interaction of ARC with TNF receptor 1 that interferes with recruitment of RIP1, a critical mediator of TNFα-induced regulated necrosis. These findings extend the role of ARC from an apoptosis inhibitor to a regulator of the TNFα pathway and an inhibitor of TNFα-mediated regulated necrosis.

Detection of common deafness mutation by maternal plasma cell-free DNA

OBJECTIVES

The aim is to investigate the use of the ligase detection reaction (LDR) microarray to examine the difference of the single nucleotide between the pregnant woman and the fetus by cell-free DNA in the maternal plasma in congenital deafness.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The proband and the couples' venous blood samples and the amniotic fluid/ chorionic villi collected from seven deafness families for prenatal diagnosis were analyzed. The cell-free DNA from maternal plasma was examined to determine if they carried the mutations of GJB2 235delC.

RESULTS

Three samples were found to carry the mutation of GJB2 235delC. It is in agreement with the sequencing results. The affected fetuses were suggested to take invasive procedure for confirmation.

CONCLUSIONS

The chip may be a potential method to screen for congenital deafness based on maternal plasma DNA.

Effects of liver diseases on drug-metabolizing enzymes: implications for drug fate alterations and nano-therapeutic openings

Metabolizing and eliminating toxic chemicals in the liver are key processes in the body's defense system. Drug-metabolizing enzymes (DMEs) play central roles in such processes. The activity and expression of several key DMEs are changed in various liver diseases and thus lead to significantly altered drug disposition. This phenomenon severely affects the pharmacotherapy of clinical medications in terms of the safety and efficacy of drug responses. This review highlights liver physiological functions, altered DMEs, and altered drug disposition in liver diseases. Moreover, the implications of changes in DMEs on the fate of clinically relevant drugs are also discussed. Pregnane X receptor and constitutive androstane receptor are two liver-enriched nuclear receptors originally defined as xenobiotic sensors that affect regulation of DMEs. Altered regulation of DMEs in liver diseases contributes to the development of powerful in vitro and in vivo tools to predict drug responses and options for improved drug delivery and development. Although a number of treatment drugs are available for liver diseases, they are limited by their low drug concentration in the target site, presence of side effects, and instability in the human body. The nanoparticle drug delivery system has recently attracted research attention because of its potential to offer solutions to current obstacles that involve the use of therapeutic drugs for liver diseases. Conclusively, this review aims to improve understanding on the regulation of DMEs in liver diseases and on corresponding implications in drug disposition, including novel therapeutic medications.

Filled Skutterudite Antimonides: Validation of the Electron-Crystal Phonon-Glass Approach to New Thermoelectric Materials

After a brief review of the transport and thermoelectric properties of filled skutterudite antimonides, we present resonant ultrasound, specific heat, and inelastic neutron scattering results that establish the existence of two low-energy vibrational modes in the filled skutterudite LaFe3CoSb12. It is likely that at least one of these modes represents the localized, incoherent vibrations of the La ion in an oversized atomic “cage.” These results support the usefulness of weakly bound, “rattling” ions for the improvement of thermoelectric performance.

A novel DFNA5 mutation, IVS8+4 A>G, in the splice donor site of intron 8 causes late-onset non-syndromic hearing loss in a Chinese family

We report here the clinical, genetic, and molecular characteristics of a large Chinese family exhibiting non-syndromic, late-onset autosomal dominant sensorineural hearing loss. Clinical evaluation revealed variable phenotypes of hearing loss in terms of severity and age-at-onset of disease in these subjects. Genome-wide linkage analysis mapped the disease gene to the DFNA5 locus with a maximum two-point log odds score of 5.39 at [theta] = 0 for marker D7S2457. DNA sequencing of DFNA5 revealed a novel heterozygous IVS8+4 A>G substitution in the splice donor site of intron 8. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) showed skipping of exon 8 in the mutant transcript. This mutation faithfully cosegregated with hearing loss in the family. In addition, the mutation was absent in 100 unrelated control DNA samples of Chinese origin. The IVS8+4 A>G mutation is predicted to create a shift in the reading frame and introduce a stop codon at position 372, thereby resulting in a prematurely truncated DFNA5 protein. Up to date, a total of four mutations in DFNA5 have been reported to lead to hearing impairment, all of them result in skipping of exon 8 at the mRNA level. Our findings provide further support for the hypothesis that DFNA5-associated hearing loss is caused by a very specific gain-of-function mutation.