Outcomes after open and endovascular treatment for mesenteric artery embolism patients: a retrospective inverse probability of treatment-weighted analysis.

PURPOSE: This study aims to evaluate outcomes in patients with mesenteric artery embolism (MAE) who received primary endovascular therapy (EVT) or laparotomy, and investigate risk factors for 30-day mortality. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 94 MAE patients who underwent two different treatment strategies was undertaken. An inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) method was used to balance the confounding effects of baseline clinical data. Logistic regression analysis was performed to compare the outcomes according to type of treatment regimens before and after IPTW. Univariate and multivariable analysis were conducted to determine the risk factors for 30-day mortality. RESULTS: Twenty-eight MAE patients received primary EVT, and 66 Open Surgery (OS). Logistic regression analysis showed that there was no significant difference between the EVT and OS group in 30-day mortality rate before (odds ratio [OR] 0.477, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.170 to 1.340, P = 0.160), and after IPTW (OR 0.647, 95% CI 0.210 to 1.993, P = 0.449). After IPTW, it revealed that the rates of second-look surgery (OR 36.727, 95% CI 5.407 to 249.458, P < 0.001) and hospital stay [> 30 days] (OR 0.006, 95% CI 0.000 to 0.363, P = 0.014) were different in the two groups. D-dimer (> 4 mg/L) and procalcitonin (> 0.5 ng/mL) were the independent risk factors for 30-day mortality in MAE patients postoperatively (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: In this retrospective study, MAE patients who performed primary EVT had no obvious difference in 30-day mortality rate compared to those who received OS; but it was conducive to reducing prolonged hospital stays. An increase in procalcitonin level and higher D-dimer were associated with short-term poor prognosis in patients with MAE.

Characterization of the components in plasma EVs unveiling the link between EVs-derived complement C3 with the severity and initial treatment response of profound sudden sensorineural hearing loss.

BACKGROUND: Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) is characterized by rapid, unexplained loss of hearing within a 72-hour period and exhibits a high incidence globally. Despite this, the outcomes of therapeutic interventions remain largely unpredictable, especially for those with profound hearing loss. Extracellular vesicles (EVs), nano-sized entities containing biological materials, are implicated in the development of numerous diseases. The specific relationship between EVs and both the severity and treatment effectiveness of SSNHL, however, is not well understood. METHODS: This study involved the analysis of medical records from the Department of Otolaryngology (September 1, 2020 - December 31, 2022) of patients diagnosed with SSNHL according to the 2015 Guidelines for Diagnosis and Treatment of Sudden Deafness in China. Peripheral blood samples from patients with various types of SSNHL before and after treatment were collected, alongside samples from healthy volunteers serving as controls. Plasma EVs were isolated using gel rejection chromatography and analyzed for concentration, marker presence, and morphology using Nanosight, Western blot, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), respectively. Proteomics and miRNA assessments were conducted to identify differentially expressed proteins and miRNAs in the plasma EVs of SSNHL patients and healthy volunteers. Key proteins were further validated through Western blot analysis. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was utilized to determine the levels of complement C3 in plasma EVs, and correlation analyses were performed with audiological data pre- and post-treatment. RESULTS: Plasma from SSNHL patients of varying types was collected and their EVs were successfully isolated and characterized. Proteomic analysis revealed that complement C3 levels in the plasma EVs of patients with profound SSNHL were significantly higher compared to healthy controls. Differential expression of miRNAs in plasma EVs and their related functions were also identified. The study found that the level of complement C3 in plasma EVs, but not the total plasma complement C3, positively correlated with the severity of SSNHL in patients exhibiting positive therapeutic responses, particularly in those with initially lower levels of EV-associated complement C3. After treatment, complement C3 level was decreased in patients with initially higher levels of EV-associated complement C3. No significant correlation was observed between changes in plasma EV-derived complement C3 levels and the degree of hearing loss in either responders or non-responders among patients with profound SSNHL. CONCLUSION: Differential profiles of proteins and miRNAs were identified in patients with profound SSNHL. Notably, plasma EV-derived complement C3 was linked to both the severity and early treatment effectiveness of patients with profound SSNHL.

Oxidation 1-methyl naphthalene based on the synergy of environmentally persistent free radicals (EPFRs) and PAHs in particulate matter (PM) surface.

Studies of the environmental fate through the interactions of particle-associated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) with environmentally persistent free radicals (EPFRs) are presented. The formation of PAHs and EPFRs typically occurs side by side during combustion-processes. The laboratory simulation studies of the model PAH molecule 1-Methylnaphthalene (1-MN) interaction with model EPFRs indicate a transformational synergy between these two pollutants due to mutual and matrix interactions. EPFRs, thorough its redox cycle result in the oxidation of PAHs into oxy-/hydroxy-PAHs. EPFRs have been shown before to produce OH radical during its redox cycle in aqueous media and this study has shown that produced OH radical can transform other PM constituents resulting in alteration of PM chemistry. In model PM, EPFRs driven oxidation process of 1-MN produced 1,4-naphthoquinone, 1-naphthaldehyde, 4-hydroxy-4-methylnaphthalen-1-one, and various isomers of (hydroxymethyl) naphthalene. Differences were observed in oxidation product yields, depending on whether EPFRs and PAHs were cohabiting the same PM or present on separate PM. This effect is attributed to the OH radical concentration gradient as a factor in the oxidation process, further strengthening the hypothesis of EPFRs' role in the PAH oxidation process. This finding is revealing new environmental role of EPFRs in a natural degradation process of PAHs. Additionally, it points to implications of such PM surface chemistry in the changing mobility of PAHs into an aqueous medium, thus increasing their bioavailability.

Development of a Serum-Free Culture Method for Endothelial Cells of the Stria Vascularis and Their Pro-Inflammatory Secretome Changes Induced by Oxidative Stress.

OBJECTIVES: Reactive oxygen species in the stria vascularis (SV) of the cochlea may be involved in the pathogenesis of sensorineural hearing loss. However, the effects of oxidative stress on SV endothelial cells (SV-ECs) remain largely unknown, and no feasible in vitro cell culture model exists for the functional study of SV-ECs. METHODS: We isolated primary SV-ECs from the SV of neonatal mice. The apoptosis-reducing effects of fibronectin in SV-ECs cultured with serum-free medium were determined using ß-galactosidase staining and flow cytometry. SV-ECs incubated in serum-free medium were treated with various H2O2 concentrations to evaluate the effects of H2O2 on their viability. The secretome of SV-ECs treated with or without H2O2 (100 µM or 500 µM) was analyzed using high-resolution mass spectrometry. The function of the SV-EC secretome was evaluated by a macrophage assay. RESULTS: We successfully isolated and characterized the SV-ECs. Treatment with H2O2 at concentrations up to 500 µM for 2 hours and further incubation with serum-free medium in plates precoated with fibronectin showed no significant effect on apoptosis. Compared to the control SV-ECs, the amount of differential proteins in the secretome of SV-ECs stimulated with 500 µM H2O2 was much higher than in those treated with 100 µM H2O2. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes and Gene Ontology analyses suggested that the proteins differentially expressed in SV-ECs treated with 500 µM H2O2 were involved in the regulation of multiple signaling pathways and cellular processes. The secretome of H2O2-stimulated SV-ECs exhibited significant pro-inflammatory effects on macrophages. CONCLUSION: We successfully established an in vitro serum-free culture method, identified the differential proteins released by oxidative stress-induced ECs and their functions, and revealed the pro-inflammatory effects of the secretome of H2O2-stimulated SV-ECs. Therefore, SV-ECs might elicit immunoregulatory effects on bystander cells in the microenvironment of oxidative stress-induced cochlea, especially cochlear macrophages.

Therapeutic Efficacy of Shexiang Baoxin Pill Combined with Exercise in Patients with Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction: A Single-Center, Double-Blind, Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of Shexiang Baoxin Pill combined with exercise in heart failure patients with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). METHODS: Sixty patients with HFpEF were randomly divided into group A (n=20), receiving Shexiang Baoxin Pill combined with home-based exercise training based on conventional drugs for 12 weeks; group B (n=20), receiving conventional drugs combined with home-based exercise training for 12 weeks; and group C (n=20), receiving conventional drug treatment only. Peak oxygen uptake (peakVO2), anaerobic threshold (AT), 6-min walking test (6MWT), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and SF-36 questionnaire (SF-36) results before and after treatment were compared among groups. RESULTS: After the 12-week intervention, patients in group C showed significant declines in peakVO2, AT, 6MWT, PSQI, and SF-36 compared with pre-treatment (P<0.01), while groups A and B both showed significant improvements in peakVO2, AT, 6MWT, PSQI, and SF-36 results compared with pre-treatment (P<0.01). Compared with group C, patients in groups A and B showed significant improvements in peakVO2, AT, 6MWT, PSQI, and SF-36 (P<0.01). In addition, patients in group A showed more significant improvements in physical function, role-physical, vitality, and mental health scores on the SF-36 questionnaire, and PSQI scores than those in group B (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Exercise training improved exercise tolerance, sleep quality and quality of life (QoL) in patients with HFpEF. Notably, Shexiang Baoxin Pill played an active role in sleep quality and QoL of patients with HFpEF. (The trial was registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (No. ChiCTR2100054322)).

Baicalein Induces Apoptosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis Synovial Fibroblasts through Inactivation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR Pathway.

Purpose: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) shows abnormal proliferation, apoptosis, and invasion in fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs). Baicalein (BAI), extracted from Scutellaria baicalensis, is used as an anticancer drug through inducing cancer cells apoptosis. However, the mechanism of BAI in RA progression still remains unknown. Here, we demonstrated that BAI inhibited FLS proliferation and migration, whereas it enhanced apoptosis via the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway in vitro. Methods: Cell viability and colony formation were analyzed by MTT and plate colony formation assays in SW982 cells, respectively. Apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry and western blotting. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), MMP family proteins (MMP2/9), and the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway were detected by western blot. Cell migration was detected by scratch healing assay under BAI treatment in SW982 cells. Results: BAI dose-dependently inhibited cell viability and colony forming in SW982 cells. BAI upregulated apoptotic proteins and downregulated EMT-related proteins, resulting in enhanced cell apoptosis and inhibited cell migration in SW982 cells. BAI also dose-dependently inhibited the phosphorylation of PI3K, Akt, and mTOR. Conclusions: These results indicated that BAI inhibited FLSs proliferation and EMT, whereas induced cell apoptosis through blocking the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway, supporting clinical application for RA progression.

Developmental Hazard of Environmentally Persistent Free Radicals and Protective Effect of TEMPOL in Zebrafish Model.

Environmentally persistent free radicals (EPFRs) can be detected in ambient PM2.5, cigarette smoke, and soils and are formed through combustion and thermal processing of organic materials. The hazards of EPFRs are largely unknown. In this study, we assess the developmental toxicity of EPFRs and the ability of TEMPOL (4-Hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine 1-oxyl) to protect against such hazards using zebrafish embryos. Particles containing EPFRs were acquired by dosing dichlorobenzene (DCB) vapor on the Cab-o-sil/5% CuO particles at 230 °C in vacuo (referred to as DCB-230). The particles were suspended in ultrapure water to make 1 mg/mL of stock solution from which series dilution was undertaken to obtain 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 80, and 100 µg/mL final test solutions, which were then placed in individual wells with a 4 h postfertilization (hpf) zebrafish embryo. Plates were run in duplicate to obtain a sample size of 24 animals per concentration; 12 embryos were exposed per concentration per plate. Statistical analysis of the morphology endpoints was performed. We investigated overt toxicity responses to DCB-230 in a 22-endpoint battery that included developing zebrafish from 24-120 hpf. Exposure to concentrations greater than 60 µg/mL of DCB-230 induced high mortality in the developmental zebrafish model. Exposure to EPFRs induced developmental hazards that were closely related to the concentrations of free radicals and EPFRs. The potential protective effects of TEMPOL against EPFRs' toxicity in zebrafish were investigated. Exposure to EPFRs plus TEMPOL shifted the concentration to an induced 50% adverse effect (EC50), from 23.6 to 30.8 µg/mL, which verifies TEMPOL's protective effect against EPFRs in the early phase of zebrafish development.

The differential magnetic relaxation behaviours of slightly distorted triangular dodecahedral dysprosium analogues in a type of cyano-bridged 3d-4f zig-zag chain compounds.

A class of cyano-bridged 3d-4f zig-zag chain compounds, {RE[TM(CN)6] (PNO)2(H2O)4}·(H2O) {RE = YIII, TM = [FeIII]LS (1); RE = DyIII, TM = [FeIII]LS (2), CoIII (3)}, have been synthesized and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The rare earth ions in these compounds are situated in a slightly distorted triangular dodecahedral (D2d) coordination environment. The magnetic properties of compounds 1-3 have been comparatively studied in detail. Under a zero dc field, the temperature dependence of ac susceptibility measurements for YFe (1) indicates the absence of magnetic relaxation stemming from the single anisotropic [FeIII]LS ion. The dysprosium analogue DyFe (2) shows only magnetic relaxation behavior with a prominent QTM effect, while DyCo (3) exhibits SIM properties not completely covered by QTM, with an extracted energy barrier of 73 K under a zero dc field. The ab initio calculations indicate that both compounds 2 and 3 are SMMs with well-behaved magnetic relaxation properties primarily from the individual DyIII ion. Therefore, the different magnetic behaviors exhibited by compound 2 compared to 3 may be ascribed to the stronger QTM effect caused by the extra weak interaction of [FeIII]LS ions in 2 as a fluctuating transverse field around the DyIII ion. The QTM effect for both 2 and 3 is suppressed under an applied dc field with an effective energy barrier of 134 and 150 K, respectively. Compared with compound 2, the higher extracted Ueff/kB and χ''(T) peak temperature for 3 should be further attributed to its slightly higher single-ion axiality as calculated and the elimination of the transverse field from the [FeIII]LS ion.

Rapid preparation of surface-enhanced Raman substrate in microfluidic channel for trace detection of amoxicillin.

A high sensitive surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrate based on the Ag dendrite in a T-type microfluidic device was constructed by a simple and rapid strategy. According to the simulated results by COMSOL Multiphysics, the microfluidic-SERS sensor was fabricated by simultaneously introducing into 40 mmol·L-1 silver nitrate solution and 0.2 mol·L-1 sodium nitrate solution for about 15 min with the flow velocity at 20 µL·min-1 at room temperature, respectively. The analytical performance of this sensor was investigated with different concentrations of amoxicillin aqueous solution, and the detection limit was up to 1.0 ng·mL-1. And the semi-quantitation was obtained from the relationship between the Raman intensity and the logarithm of the amoxicillin concentration. This method can be employed to fabricate high sensitive microfluidic-SERS sensors as well as realize many lab-on-a-chip applications with the integration of other microfluidic networks.

Role of Frailty and Comorbidity Status in Predicting Morbidity and Mortality in Patients with Acute Mesenteric Ischemia.

BACKGROUND: This study was performed to determine the association of frailty and comorbidity status with postoperative morbidity and mortality in patients with acute mesenteric ischemia (AMI). METHODS: Patients diagnosed with AMI between April 2006 and September 2019 were enrolled in this study. Frailty was evaluated by sarcopenia which was diagnosed by third lumbar vertebra psoas muscle area (PMA). Comorbidity status was evaluated by the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) score. Univariate and multivariate analyses evaluating the risk factors for postoperative morbidity and mortality were performed. RESULTS: Of the 174 patients, 86 were managed conservatively and 88 underwent surgery. In surgically managed patients, 39.8% developed complications within 30 days of surgery. Ten patients died within 30 days of the operation. In the univariate analyses, white blood cell >10 g/L, low PMA, CCI score ≥2, and bowel resection were associated with postoperative complications. Multivariate analysis revealed that low PMA, CCI score ≥2, and bowel resection were independent predictors of postoperative complications. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that low PMA, CCI score ≥2, and bowel resection were independent risk factors for postoperative complications in patients with AMI. Preoperative assessment of frailty using PMA and the evaluation of comorbidity status using CCI may serve as helpful tools in preoperative risk assessment and should be integrated into scoring systems for surgically treated AMI.

Correction to: Promoter hypomethylation mediated upregulation of MicroRNA-10b-3p targets FOXO3 to promote the progression of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).

In the original publication of this manuscript [1], Fig. 6 contains a repeated image in error (the left image of 'Migration' and the left image of 'Invasion').

Association of CD14 gene -260C>T and -561C>T polymorphisms with cancer susceptibility: A meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Two polymorphisms, -260C>T (rs2569190) and -561C>T (rs5744455), in the CD14 gene have been implicated in susceptibility to cancer. However, the results remain inconclusive. The current meta-analysis was carried out aiming to confirm the function of these two polymorphisms on the susceptibility of cancer. METHODS: We collected eligible studies from databases, including PubMed, EMBASE, CNKI, Wanfang, and VIP (Weipu). We used logistic regression calculation to compute odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: After strict selection, 24 studies with 5854 cases and 10339 controls for -260C>T and seven studies with 1809 cases and 7289 controls for -561C>T were finally enlisted into our analysis reference material. Pool results revealed that neither -260C>T, nor -561C>T was found to have any association with overall cancer susceptibility. Nevertheless, when stratified by cancer type, we detected a decreased risk associated with other cancers in a heterozygous model (OR = 0.69, 95% CI = 0.51-0.93, p = 0.014) and a dominant model (OR = 0.70, 95% CI = 0.53-0.93, p = 0.012) for -561C>T. An increased risk was found in other cancers under an allele model (OR = 1.29, 95% CI = 1.03-1.62, p = 0.026), in laryngeal cancer under a dominant model (OR = 1.38, 95% CI = 1.11-1.71, p = 0.003) and for a score ≤ 9 under a recessive model (OR = 1.45, 95% CI = 1.09-1.91, p = 0.009) for -561C>T. CONCLUSIONS: In the present study, we conclude that the CD14 -260C>T and -561C>T polymorphisms might not be associated with overall cancer risk. Further studies are encouraged to confirm this conclusion.

Role of Fe2O3 in fly ash surrogate on PCDD/Fs formation from 2-monochlorophenol.

The correlation between the content and morphology of Fe2O3 and the yields of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) was studied in this work. Three fly ash surrogates containing 1%, 2.5%, and 4% of Fe2O3 were prepared and their effects on PCDD/Fs formation were investigated and compared to our previously studied 5% iron oxide sample using 2-monochlorophenol precursor model. As the intermediate of PCDD/Fs, environmentally persistent free radical formation propensity was correlated with the PCDD/Fs formation yields for different iron oxide samples. PCDD/Fs yield increases exponentially with the increasing iron content under pyrolytic conditions. On the contrary, low iron oxide content promotes oxidation and lowers yields of PCDD/Fs. Changing iron oxide clusters' morphology (crystallinity and cluster size) affects the mechanism of PCDD/Fs formation - on larger crystallites, a bidentate chemisorption of precursor is preferred leading to lower chlorinated congeners, while smaller clusters promote formation of PCDFs through mixed monodentate-bidentate surface species, resulting in formation of congeners with 1 chlorine more. This study further confirms the propensity of iron oxide to predominantly form PCDFs. The iron content also defines PCDDs:PCDFs ratio.

Promoter hypomethylation mediated upregulation of MicroRNA-10b-3p targets FOXO3 to promote the progression of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).

BACKGROUND: Esophageal cancer is a high incident cancer worldwide with poor survival and limited therapeutic options. Alterations of microRNAs are common in cancers, and many of these micro RNAs are potential therapeutic and diagnostic targets to treat these cancers. miR-10b-3p located in chromosome region 2q31.1, and its expression is frequently increased in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). However, the biological functions, clinical significance and therapeutic implications of miR-10b-3p in ESCC remain unclear. METHODS: The expression levels of miR-10b-3p in ESCC specimens were analyzed by in situ hybridization (ISH) and quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) assays. Ectopic overexpression of miR-10b-3p in ESCC cells, mouse xenograft model, and metastasis model were used to evaluate the effects of miR-10b-3p on proliferation, and migration of cancer cells. Luciferase reporter assay and Western blot were performed to validate the potential targets of miR-10b-3p after the preliminary screening by computer-aided microarray analysis. RESULTS: We found that miR-10b-3p expression levels were significantly upregulated in the tumor tissues and serum samples of patients with ESCC. The expression levels of miR-10b-3p in both tumor tissues and serum samples were inversely associated with lymph node metastasis and clinical stages. We identified the expression level of miR-10b-3p in ESCC cancer samples as an independent prognostic marker of the overall survival rates of ESCC patients. We found more frequent hypomethylation of the CpG sites located upstream of the miR-10b-3p gene in the ESCC tissues compared with in the adjacent normal tissues, and the DNA methylation status of miR-10b-3p promoter region inversely correlated with the expression levels of miR-10b-3p. Ectopic overexpression of miR-10b-3p promoted cell proliferation, colony formation, migration and invasion in ESCC. While knockdown of miR-10b-3p had the opposite effects, particularly in promoting apoptosis. Mouse xenograft model confirmed that miR-10b-3p functions as a potent oncogenic miRNA in ESCC, which also promoting ESCC metastasis. Mechanistically, we found miR-10b-3p regulated FOXO3 expression by directly binding to the 3'-untranslated region. And systemic delivery of miR-10b-3p antagomir reduced tumor growth and inhibit FOXO3 protein expression in nude mice. CONCLUSIONS: Collectively, our findings suggested upregulated expression of miR-10b-3p caused by promoter hypomethylation contributed to the progression of ESCC; Thus, miR-10b-3p is a potentially effective biomarker for ESCC that could have further therapeutic implications.

Synergy of iron and copper oxides in the catalytic formation of PCDD/Fs from 2-monochlorophenol.

Transition metal oxides present in waste incineration systems have the ability to catalyze the formation of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) through surface reactions involving organic dioxin precursors. However, studies have concentrated on the catalytic effects of individual transition metal oxides, while the complex elemental composition of fly ash introduces the possibility of synergistic or inhibiting effects between multiple, catalytically active components. In this study, we have tested fly ash surrogates containing different ratios (by weight) of iron (III) oxide and copper (II) oxide. Such Fe2O3/CuO mixed-oxide surrogates (in the Fe:Cu ratio of 3.5, 0.9 and 0.2 ) were used to study the cooperative effects between two transition metals that are present in high concentrations in most combustion systems and are known to individually catalyze the formation of PCDD/Fs. The presence of both iron and copper oxides increased the oxidative power of the fly ash surrogates in oxygen rich conditions and led to extremely high PCDD/F yields under pyrolytic conditions (up to >5% yield) from 2-monochlorophenol precursor. PCDD/F congener profiles from the mixed oxide samples are similar to results obtained from only CuO, however the total PCDD/F yield increases with increasing Fe2O3 content. Careful analysis of the reaction products and changes to the oxidation states of active metals indicate the CuO surface sites are centers for reaction while the Fe2O3 is affecting the bonds in CuO and increasing the ability of copper centers to form surface-bound radicals that are precursors to PCDD/Fs.

Effect of GnRHR polymorphisms on in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome.

We investigated the relationship between gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor (GnRHR) gene polymorphisms and outcome of patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) undergoing in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET). PCOS patients undergoing IVF-ET were selected, and infertile patients due to dysfunctional oviducts served as controls. GnRHR gene polymorphisms were detected using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism assay. Gene-gene interaction and linkage disequilibrium tests were performed using the SHEsis software. Logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate factors affecting outcome of patients undergoing IVF-ET. The PCOS group showed more patients with CC+CT genotypes rs12644822, rs3756159 and rs13138607 than the control group, and CC+CT genotypes and C alleles from three positions enhanced risk of PCOS. Patients with CC+CT genotypes from three positions exhibited increased serum luteinizing hormone (LH), LH/follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), testosterone (T) and follicles than those with TT genotypes. The haplotype analysis indicated that CCC, CCT and TCC haplotypes increased the risk of PCOS, while TCT, TTC and TTT haplotypes lowered the risk. After IVF-ET treatment, patients with CC+CT genotypes of three positions in the GnRHR gene had a lower pregnancy rate than patients with TT genotypes. Logistic regression analysis indicated that CC+CT genotypes rs12644822, rs3756159 and rs13138607 were risk factor for patients undergoing IVF-ET. In conclusion, these findings demonstrate that CC+CT genotypes rs12644822C>T, rs3756159C>T and rs13138607C>T in the GnRHR gene may contribute to a decreased pregnancy rate for PCOS patients after IVF-ET.

Smartphone Application WeChat for Clinical Follow-up of Discharged Patients with Head and Neck Tumors: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Nowadays, social media tools such as short message service, Twitter, video, and web-based systems are more and more used in clinical follow-up, making clinical follow-up much more time- and cost-effective than ever before. However, as the most popular social media in China, little is known about the utility of smartphone WeChat application in follow-up. In this study, we aimed to investigate the feasibility and superiority of WeChat application in clinical follow-up. METHODS: A total of 108 patients diagnosed with head and neck tumor were randomized to WeChat follow-up (WFU) group or telephone follow-up (TFU) group for 6-month follow-up. The follow-ups were delivered by WeChat or telephone at 2 weeks, 1, 2, 3, and 6 months to the patients after being discharged. The study measurements were time consumption for follow-up delivery, total economic cost, lost-to-follow-up rate, and overall satisfaction for the follow-up method. RESULTS: Time consumption in WFU group for each patient (23.36 ± 6.16 min) was significantly shorter than that in TFU group (42.89 ± 7.15 min) (P < 0.001); total economic cost in WFU group (RMB 90 Yuan) was much lower than that in TFU group (RMB 196 Yuan). Lost-to-follow-up rate in the WFU group was 7.02% (4/57) compared with TFU group, 9.80% (5/51), while no significance was observed (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.176-2.740; P = 0.732). The overall satisfaction rate in WFU group was 94.34% (50/53) compared with 80.43% (37/46) in TFU group (95% CI: 0.057-0.067; P = 0.034). CONCLUSIONS: The smartphone WeChat application was found to be a viable option for follow-up in discharged patients with head and neck tumors. WFU was time-effective, cost-effective, and convenient in communication. This doctor-led follow-up model has the potential to establish a good physician-patient relationship by enhancing dynamic communications and providing individual health instructions. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR-IOR-15007498; http://www.chictr.org.cn/ showproj.aspx?proj=12613.

Annular focusing lens based on transformation optics.

We propose and design a kind of annular focusing lens based on transformation optics. Based on the method of eigen-mode expansions, closed-form expressions are derived to analyze the proposed annular lens rigorously. We show that the annular lens has excellent focusing property. Even when a barrier (such as a conducting cylinder) exists in the center of the lens, the analytical results demonstrate that the waves are still guided to propagate smoothly and focused on a spot.

Design and rigorous analysis of transformation-optics scaling devices.

Scaling devices that can shrink or enlarge an object are designed using transformation optics. The electromagnetic scattering properties of such scaling devices with anisotropic parameters are rigorously analyzed using the eigenmode expansion method. If the radius of the virtual object is smaller than that of the real object, it is a shrinking device with positive material parameters; if the radius of the virtual object is larger than the real one, it is an enlarging device with positive or negative material parameters. Hence, a scaling device can make a dielectric or metallic object look smaller or larger. The rigorous analysis shows that the scattering coefficients of the scaling devices are the same as those of the equivalent virtual objects. When the radius of the virtual object approaches zero, the scaling device will be an invisibility cloak. In such a case, the scattering effect of the scaling device will be sensitive to material parameters of the device.

Biological characteristics of CD133(+) cells in nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Cancer stem cells are regarded as the cause of tumour formation and recurrence in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). However, ideal surface markers for stem cells in NPC remain unidentified. In the present study, we investigated the expression of CD133, Nanog and Sox2 in the nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell line CNE2 and primarily cultured NPC cells using immunofluorescence or flow cytometry. A cell population with a CD133(+) phenotype was enriched using magnetic-activated cell sorting technology. We demonstrated that CD133(+) cells exhibited a strong potential for self-renewal, proliferation and differentiation and a greater potential for in vivo tumour formation in nude mice compared to CD133(-) cells, although the percentage of CD133(+) cells was small. However, the specific marker antigens Nanog and Sox2 were simultaneously expressed in normal cancer stem cells. Our results showed that CD133 can serve as a specific surface marker for nasopharyngeal cancer stem cells.