LTBP2 down-regulated FGF2 to repress vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation and vascular remodeling in a rat model of intracranial aneurysm.

This work probed into the role of latent transforming growth factor beta binding protein 2 (LTBP2) in intracranial aneurysm (IA). The rats underwent IA modeling and then stereotactic injection of short hairpin RNA against LTBP2 (shLTBP2). Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was employed to assess IA model and vascular remodeling. Rat vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) were transfected with shLTBP2, LTBP2 overexpression plasmid and fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) overexpression plasmid. The mRNA and protein expressions of LTBP2, FGF2 and mitochondrial apoptosis-related factors (Caspase-3, Cyt-c, Mcl-1) were tested through qRT-PCR and Western blot. Cell viability, proliferation and apoptosis were examined by cell counting kit-8, EdU assay and flow cytometry. The up-regulated LTBP2 and down-regulated FGF2 were detected in IA rats. LTBP2 knockdown promoted vascular remodeling and Mcl-1 level, and restrained cell apoptosis and expressions of Caspase-3 and Cyt-c in IA model rats. Moreover, LTBP2 knockdown potentiated cell viability, proliferation and FGF2 level, and repressed apoptosis in rat VSMCs, while overexpressed LTBP2 exerted opposite effects. FGF2 overexpression promoted proliferation and Mcl-1 level, and inhibited apoptosis and expressions of Caspase-3 and Cyt-c in rat VSMCs, which also reversed the effects of overexpressed LTBP2 on these aspects. Collectively, LTBP2 down-regulates FGF2 to repress VSMCs proliferation and vascular remodeling in an IA rat model.

Electron transferring with oxygen defects on Ni-promoted Pd/Al2O3 catalysts for low-temperature lean methane combustion.

Methane (CH4) is the second most consequential greenhouse gas after CO2, with a substantial global warming potential. The CH4 catalytic combustion offers an efficient method for the elimination of CH4. However, improving the catalytic performance of Pd-based materials for low-temperature CH4 combustion remains a big challenge. In this study, we synthesized an enhanced Pd/5NiAlOx catalyst that demonstrated superior catalytic activity and improved water resistance compared to the Pd/Al2O3 catalyst. Specifically, the T90 was decreased by over 100 °C under both dry and wet conditions. Introducing Ni resulted in an enormously enhanced number of oxygen defects on the obtained 5NiAlOx support. This defect-rich support facilitates the anchoring of PdO through increased electron transfer, thereby inhibiting the production of high-valence Pd(2+δ)+ and stimulating the generation of unsaturated Pd sites. Pd0 can effectively activate surface oxygen and PdO plays a significant role in activating CH4, resulting in high activity for Pd/5NiAlOx. On the other hand, the increased water resistance of Pd/5NiAlOx was mainly due to the generation of *OOH species and the lower accumulation of surface -OH species during the reaction process.

Acute suppurative oesophagitis with fever and cough: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Suppurative oesophagitis is a diffuse inflammation of the oesophagus characterized by suppurative exudate or pus formation. Suppurative infections can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract, most commonly the stomach, with inflammation involving the entire gastric cavity. However, cases extending beyond the cardia or pylorus and involving the oesophagus, small intestine, and colon are rare. Usually such cases are discovered during surgery or autopsy. CASE SUMMARY: We report a rare case of acute suppurative oesophagitis. A 57-year-old man presented at the Emergency Department of our hospital with fever and productive cough. The patient had a significant history of lower oesophageal mucosal frostbite. He was successfully diagnosed and treated with repeated gastroscopy, appropriate antibiotics, and innovative symptomatic treatment. CONCLUSION: Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment of acute suppurative oesophagitis are critical. Nutritional support, postural drainage, and other symptomatic treatments must be considered.

Effect of DEC1 on the proliferation, adhesion, invasion and epithelial-mesenchymal transition of osteosarcoma cells.

Differentiated embryonic chondrocyte-expressed gene 1 (DEC1) is associated with various types of human cancer; however, there is limited data regarding the functions of DEC1 in osteosarcoma. The present study aimed to examine the expression of DEC1 in human osteosarcoma tissues and cell lines. Furthermore, the effects of DEC1 on the proliferation, adhesion, invasion and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of osteosarcoma cells were investigated. Using reverse transcription-quantitative PCR and western blot analysis, it was found that the expression levels of DEC1 were higher in human osteosarcoma tissues and osteosarcoma cell lines than in the controls. Both gain- and loss-of-function experiments suggested that DEC1 promotes the proliferation, adhesion and invasion of osteosarcoma cells in vitro, as determined by MTT, cell adhesion and cell invasion assays, respectively. Additionally, DEC1 was found to upregulate the mesenchymal markers N-cadherin and vimentin, whilst downregulating the epithelial marker E-cadherin. In conclusion, this present study showed increased expression levels of DEC1 in human osteosarcoma tissues and cell lines, and identified that DEC1 may exert its effect on osteosarcoma progression by promoting cell proliferation, adhesion and invasion. Furthermore, DEC1 was shown to have an inducible effect on EMT in osteosarcoma cell lines, thus contributing to the aggressiveness of osteosarcoma cells. This initial study indicated that DEC1 may serve as a novel molecular target for the treatment of osteosarcoma.

A systematic review and adjusted indirect comparison of oral anticoagulants.

EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES As a result of reading this article, physicians should be able to: 1. Recognize the high risk of postoperative venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients undergoing major orthopedic surgery. 2. Distinguish the different pharmacological mechanisms of VTE prophylaxis drugs. 3. Delineate the advantages and disadvantages of each VTE prophylaxis drug. 4. Recognize that rivaroxaban is as efficacious as apixaban but can increase the risk of hemorrhage. Patients undergoing major orthopedic surgery are at high risk for developing postoperative venous thromboembolism (VTE). The authors analyzed the available evidence on the efficacy and safety of dabigatran, apixaban, and rivaroxaban vs low-molecular-weight heparins (LMWHs) as VTE prophylaxis in major orthopedic surgery. Outcomes evaluated included total VTE, deep venous thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism (PE), death, and major bleeding. Rivaroxaban and apixaban are more efficacious than dabigatran and are as safe as dabigatran. Rivaroxaban is as efficacious as apixaban but can increase the risk of hemorrhage.