[Functional and supraomohyoid neck dissection in stage cN0/N1 oral squamous cell carcinoma]

Objective: To evaluate the clinical effects of functional neck dissection (FND) and supraomohyoid neck dissection (SOND) in patients with cN0/N1 oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Methods: A total of 210 patients with stage cN0/N1 OSCC underwent FND and SOND between January 2012 and May 2015 were retrospectively reviewed, among which, 147 patients were male and 63 were female, with an age range of 23-82 years and mean age of (62.2±10.2) years. There were 112 and 98 patients in FND and SOND groups, respectively. The follow-up data included cervical lymph node metastasis, movement of shoulder joint, great auricular nerve function, recurrence rate of cervical lymph nodes. Results: There was no significant difference in gender, age, tumor location, T stage, N stage, histological grades between the two groups (all P>0.05). Compared to patients in FND group, the activities of shoulder joint and earlobe numbness improved significantly in SOND group. Of the 210 patients, 17 patients (8.1%) had cervical recurrence, with 9 patients (8.0%) in FND group and 8 patients (8.2%) in SOND group. No significant difference was observed for neck recurrence between the two groups (P=0.973). Conclusion: SOND can be safely performed in cN0 or cN1 OSCC patients, which avoids major complications of FND, and improves postoperative quality of life in those patients.

[Virtual planning and 3D printing modeling for mandibular reconstruction with fibula free flap]

Objective: To evaluate the use of virtual planning and 3D printing modeling in mandibular reconstruction and compare the operation time and surgical outcome of this technique with conventional method. Methods: Between June 2013 and June 2017, A total of 18 patients underwent the mandibular reconstruction with fibula free flap in the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University.Among 18 patients, there were 11 males and 7 females with an average age of 36.5 years (21-73 years). Nine patients underwent vascularized fibula flap mandibular reconstruction using virtual planning and 3D printing modeling.Titanium plates were pre-bent using the models and cutting guides which were used for osteotomies.Another 9 patients who underwent mandibular reconstruction using fibula flap without aid of virtual planning and 3D printing models were selected as control group. The operation time was recorded and compared in two groups. Accuracy of reconstruction was measured by superimposing the preoperative image onto the postoperative image of mandible. The selected bony landmark, distance and angle were measured. Results: The mean total operation time were 4.7-6.2(5.5±0.5) h in computer-assisted group and 5.6-7.5(6.6±0.7) h in conventional group, respectively. The operation time was shorter in computer-assisted group. The difference between the preoperative and postoperative intercondylar distances, intergonial angle distances, anteroposterior distances were(2.6±1.4)vs(4.4±1.6)mm, (2.9±1.2)vs(4.7±1.7)mm, (4.2±1.4) vs(5.9±1.8)mm in the computer-assisted and conventional group, respectively. The differences between the preoperative and postoperative mandible were smaller in the computer-assisted group. Conclusions: Virtual planning and 3D printing modeling have the potential to increase mandibular reconstruction accuracy and reduce operation time. We believe that this technology for mandibular reconstruction in selected patients can significantly improve the quality of reconstruction.

Polymorphism identification in BMP15 and GDF9 genes and their association with egg production in chickens

1. Mutations in growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF9) and bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP15) are significantly associated with reproductive performance in mammals and the objective of the present study was to identify polymorphic sites and elucidate the association between genotypes in BMP15 and GDF9 and egg production. 2. Polymorphisms in BMP15 exon1 and GDF9 exon2 were detected by DNA sequencing and PCR-RFLP. Three SNPs were detected in each of BMP15 (A111G, C231T and C34T) and GDF9 (G593A, T824C and C896T). C34T leads to the substitution of Leu by Phe, which was predicted to affect protein function. 3. Results of the association analysis indicated that C34T had an effect on total egg production at 300 d of age (EN) and age at first laying (AFE). G593A affected EN and both C231T and C896T influenced AFE. The TGC1TGC1 diplotype in BMP15 had the highest EN. 4. In conclusion, EN may be significantly improved by marker-assisted selection of the BMP15 genotypes in maternal lines of Shaobo hens.

ABCB1 gene C3435T polymorphism and drug resistance in epilepsy: evidence based on 8,604 subjects

BACKGROUND

The present study aimed to assess the role of C3435T polymorphism in drug-resistance in epilepsy by a meta-analysis.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Databases were obtained from the Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, EMBASE, PubMed, Science Direct database, CNKI, and Wanfang up to October 2014. All the case-control association studies evaluating the role of ABCB1 C3435T in pharmacoresistance to anti-epileptic drug (AED) were identified. RevMan 5.0 software was utilized to perform quantitative analyses in an allele model (C vs. T) and a genotype model (CC vs. CT+TT).

RESULTS

From the 189 potential studies, we included 28 articles for the meta-analysis, including 30 independent case-control studies involving 4124 drug-resistant epileptic patients and 4480 epileptic patients for whom drug treatment was effective. We excluded 164 studies because of duplication, lack of genotype data, and non-clinical research. We found that C3435T polymorphism was not significantly associated with drug resistance in epilepsy, either in allele model (C vs. T: OR=1.07; 95%CI: 0.95-1.19) or in genotype model (CC vs. CT+TT: OR=1.05; 95%CI: 0.89-1.24, P=0.55). Subgroup analyses suggested that in Caucasian populations there are significant differences between resistance group (NR) and control group (R) in both allele model (C vs. T: OR=1.09; 95%CI: 1.00-1.18, P=0.05) and genotype model (CC vs. CT+TT: OR=1.20; 95%CI: 1.04-1.40, P=0.01). However, we did not find this association in Asian populations.

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that the ABCB1 C3435T polymorphism may be a genetic marker for drug resistance in epilepsy in Caucasian populations.

Fluorocitrate induced the alterations of memory-related proteins and tau hyperphosphorylation in SD rats

Astrocytes provide structural, metabolic and trophic supports for neurons. However, there are no direct evidences whether astrocytes involve in the regulation of synaptic proteins expression and tau phosphorylation until now. Here, we injected 1 nmol fluorocitrate (FC), which preferentially taken up by astrocytes and results in reversible inhibition of the astrocytic tricarboxylic acid cycle, into the left lateral ventricle of the brain in the SD rats for 1h, and found that FC treatment decreased several memory-related proteins levels, such as AMPA receptor GluR1/2, postsynaptic density protein 93/95, Arc and phosphorylated cAMP response element binding proteins, while increased synaptophysin and synapsin I levels in the hippocampus. FC treatment also increased the levels of phosphorylated tau at multiple Alzheimer-related phosphorylation sites, as well as activation of glycogen synthase kinase-3β and inactivation of protein phosphatase-2A. Similar effects were also observed in the primary hippocampal neurons, which were cultured with the conditioned media from FC-treatment primary astrocytes. Our data suggest that astrocytes regulate neuronal tau phosphorylation and several synaptic proteins expression.

A foot drop correcting FES envelope design method using tibialis anterior EMG during healthy gait with a new walking speed control strategy

Restoring walking functions will greatly improve the foot-drop patients' life quality. In this work, we sampled 10 healthy subjects' gait data when walking in 4 different stride frequency overground and developed a dynamic Functional Electrical Stimulation (dFES) system for foot-drop patients' walk training, using the processed tibialis anterior (TA) muscle EMG signal. The data sampled under the new strategy can be used by FES system directly. And the dFES system can provide dynamic Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) FES serial according to the healthy subjects' TA EMG intensity features.

[Preparation of novel chiral stationary phases for ligand exchange chromatography and their applications]

Two novel chiral stationary phases for ligand exchange chromatography were prepared by synthesizing 2-(2-hydroxyl-3-octoxy)propyl-(S)-1, 2, 3, 4-tetrahydro-3-isoquinolinecarboxylic acid (C8-(S)-THIQCA) and 2-(2-hydroxyl-3-dodecoxy)propyl-(S)-1, 2, 3, 4-tetrahydro-3-isoquinolinecarboxylic acid (C12-(S)-THIQCA) as chiral selectors, and coating them on ODS bonded stationary phase. Chromatographic resolutions of some DL-amino acids were achieved on the chiral stationary phases by using 1 mmol/L NH4Cl with 0.2 mmol/L Cu(Ac)2 solution as mobile phase and detection at 254 nm. Ability of chiral resolution of the DL-amino acids through the stationary phases was compared and the effect of cupric ion on resolutions of the DL-amino acids was examined. The elution order of D-isomer before L-isomer was observed for all the DL-amino acids resolved, except DL-Val. For DL-Pro, DL-Val and DL-Leu the elution order through the chiral phases was different from that through the chiral ligand exchange phases prepared from L-Pro or L-hydroxyl proline with five membered ring structure.

[Immunization of mice with plasmid DNA against malaria and regulation of antigen expression by tetracycline-controlled promoter]

Sequence of MSP1-31 of Plasmodium falciparum was constructed into eukaryotic expression vector pTRE, which could be repressed by tetracycline (Tc) and resulted in recombinant plasmid pTRE-31. The plasmid was injected into the quadriceps muscle of BALB/c mice with Tc responsive plasmid pTet-off to measure specific antibodies. The MSP1-31 prokaryotic expressed protein was used as antigen in ELISA. Results showed that mice orally administered by Tc had a seroconversion rate of 7.1% (1/14) 4 weeks after injection, whereas the control mice had a seroconversion rate of 100% and the titers of antibody were raised continusly within 12 weeks. The study suggested that the recombinant plasmids pTRE-31/pTet-off could efficiently induce humoral response against MSP1-31 of malaria. Moreover this immune response was controlled by Tc and was reversible after withdrawal of Tc dilivery. The induction of antibody by removing Tc at the fourth week after injection indicated that DNA vaccine could remain in mice and capable of expressing antigen for at least 4 weeks.

[Advances in the experimental study on the role of helper T cell subsets in the pathogenesis and the treatment of autoimmune diseases]

In this paper the functions of helper T(Th) cell subsets, their cross regulation and agents affected their differentiation, as well as the role of Th subsets in the possible pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases were reviewed. Furthermore, a lot of opinions on autoimmune diseases therapy through restoration of Th subsets balance were mentioned. The available measurements to be used include up-regulation of CD1d, administration of relative cytokines, administration of Freund adjuvant, administration of monoclonal antibodies against cytokines, cytokine receptors, CD40 ligand or B7 molecule, as well as CTLA or CTLAIg pathway and so on.

[Preliminary study on RFLPs for dystrophin gene in Chinese]

We have studied the RFLPs distribution and frequency of dystrophin gene in Chinese by using 14 subclones of complete 14 kb cDNA for the dystrophin gene as hybridization probes. Allelic fragments are detected in hybridization patterns of Pvu II/1a, Taq I/2b-3, Taq I/5b-7, Xba I/10. Among them, the allelic fragments (26 kb and 3.8 kb) in Pvu II/2b-3 patterns and the allelic fragments (10 kb and 8.4 kb) in Taq I/5b-7 patterns are the new RFLPs which have never been reported. From the comparison of our data with those of Caucasian and Japanese respectively and their statistical analysis, we can obtain the results as follows: There is remarkable difference (p less than 0.01) of the allelic fragment frequency in Taq I/2 b-3 (A1 = 3.4 kb, fre. 0.04; A2 = 3.2 kb, fre. 0.96) and Xba I/10 (A1 = 7.4 kb, fre. 0.41; A2 = 6.7 kb, fre. 0.59) between Chinese and Caucasian. The frequency of the allelic fragments A2 in Taq I/8 (A1 = 6.5 kb, A2 = 5.6 kb) and EcoR V/9 (A1 = 11.8 kb, A2 = 10.7 kb) are high in Caucasian, but have not been detected in Chinese. These differences are also highly significant. But the B1B2 allelic frequencies in Taq I/5 b-7 (B1 = 3.2 kb, B2 = 1.6 kb) are the same. There is no significant difference in the frequency of the allelic fragments A1A2 and B1B2 in Pvu II/1 a between Chinese and Japanese. Preliminary results suggest that there probably are high frequencies for spontaneous neutral mutations in the evolution process of the huge dystrophin gene (about 2,300 kb). In the meantime, the neutral mutation frequencies of various sectional sequences have remarkable differences, and that of some sectional sequences of the gene between Chinese and Caucasian may also have remarkable differences.

[Idiopathic unilateral hyperlucent lung (analysis of 11 cases)]

11 cases of idiopathic unilateral hyperlucent lung were reported: The clinical pictures and X-ray findings were analysed. The main X-ray changes were abnormal hyperlucency of the affected lung or lobe while the size of the hyperlucent lung was normal or smaller than the contralateral side. The hilar shadow and vascular markings fine and decreased During respiration, the volume of the affected lung remained constant but the mediastinum shifted to the affected side on inspiration and away from it on expiration. The affected lung retained its radiolucency on expiration. The broncho-pulmonary angiogram, lung CT scan and pulmonary vascular tomograph were studied. The clinical pictures, etiology, pathology, X-ray diagnosis and differential diagnosis were discussed.