Preliminary study of 3D printing technology for extracorporeal positioning guide assisted ultrasound-guided microwave ablation of the liver.

BACKGROUND: We designed a 3D-printed extracorporeal positioning guide for assisting ultrasound-guided microwave ablation of the liver and observed its effectiveness. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: 13 patients with liver cancer were selected, and their CT data were obtained. The CT data is reconstructed in 3D by computer software Mimics to create a 3D model. The 3D-printed in vitro positioning guides were designed by 3-Matic and fabricated using 3D printing technology. Finally, it is applied to the clinic, and its effect is observed. RESULTS: The preliminary design of a 3D printed extracorporeal positioning guide was applied to the clinic, and the efficiency of assisted ultrasound positioning was 76.92% (10/13), with three patients requiring repositioning. The efficiency of the 3D printed extracorporeal positioning guide technique was 76.92%, a CT examination was performed one month after surgery, and three patients had residual lesions. CONCLUSIONS: 3D-printed extracorporeal positioning guides can assist ultrasound in localizing tumors during liver microwave ablation and reduce repeated punctures. It makes percutaneous microwave ablation of the liver more precise and safe. However, the current study sample is small, there are still apparent shortcomings, and long-term clinical studies are needed to prove its effectiveness.

Full-length transcriptome analysis of Spodoptera frugiperda larval brain reveals detoxification genes.

BACKGROUND: Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith), commonly known as fall armyworm (FAW), is one of the most destructive agricultural pests in the world and has posed a great threat to crops. The improper use of insecticides has led to rapid development of resistance. However, the genetic data available for uncovering the insecticide resistance mechanisms are scarce. METHODS: In this study, we used PacBio single-molecule real-time (SMRT) sequencing aimed at revealing the full-length transcriptome profiling of the FAW larval brain to obtain detoxification genes. RESULTS: A total of 18,642 high-quality transcripts were obtained with an average length of 2,371 bp, and 11,230 of which were successfully annotated in six public databases. Among these, 5,692 alternative splicing events were identified.

A Preliminary Toxicology Study on Eco-friendly Control Target of Spodoptera frugiperda.

Pyrethroid and indoxacarb are commonly used pesticides to control the fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) in the crops. There are a series of consequences caused by the use of pyrethroid and indoxacarb pesticides under emergency control, such as pest resistance development, contamination of soil, water, and farm products. This study analyzed the structure and physiological function of the sodium channel in S. frugiperda, which is an important step to elaborate the resistance mechanism of S. frugiperda to indoxacarb and pyrethroid pesticides. According to genetic analysis, the cloned cDNA sequences of sodium channel in S. frugiperda (SfNav) showed the shortest genetic distance with that of the sodium channel in Helicoverpa armigera. Under the induction of three pesticides, the expression of SfNav decreased in the first 12 h and then increased after 24 h. It was concluded that SfNav had a typical structure of the sodium channel of insects and its down-regulated expression can decrease the combination of S. frugiperda with pyrethroid and indoxacarb pesticides. The up-regulated expression of SfNav was conducive to the enhancement of the pesticide resistance.

Electroacupuncture alleviates inflammatory pain via adenosine suppression and its mediated substance P expression.

BACKGROUND: Acupuncture has been widely used for alleviating pain. However, its mechanisms remain largely enigmatic. OBJECTIVE: In the present study, we focused on whether the analgesic effect of electroacupuncture is related to its regulation on adenosine and substance P expression. METHODS: We established chronic inflammatory pain model in rats through a single injection of Complete Freund's Adjuvant, and then we treated animals using daily electroacupuncture. We applied seven bilateral sessions of electroacupuncture (ST36 and BL60, 0.5 to 1.5 mA, initial strength of 0.5 mA, increased by 0.5 mA every 10 minutes, for 30 minutes per session, one section per day) to Complete Freund's Adjuvant rats for seven days. The analgesic effect of electroacupuncture was evaluated by measuring paw withdrawal threshold in rats that received mechanical and thermal stimulation. RESULTS: Daily electroacupuncture stimulation effectively increased paw withdrawal threshold in Complete Freund's Adjuvant rats. Electroacupuncture increased the adenosine level in zusanli. A further study showed that electroacupuncture could decrease substance P, neurokinin-1 receptor, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1ß, interleukin-6 and CD68 levels in dorsal root ganglion. Interestingly, direct injection of adenosine A1 or substance P receptor antagonists, or dorsal nerve root transection could significantly impair electroacupuncture induced analgesic actions in Complete Freund's Adjuvant rats could and reduce the levels of substance P, neurokinin-1 receptor, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1ß, interleukin-6 and CD68. Finally, we confirmed that direct injection of adenosine A1 receptor agonist replicated the analgesic effect of electroacupuncture. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate regulation of adenosine-mediated substance P secretion. Substance P-mediated pathway may be involved in the analgesia process by electroacupuncture in rats.

Electroacupuncture alleviates inflammatory pain via adenosine suppression and its mediated substance P expression / A eletroacupuntura alivia a dor inflamatória por meio da supressão de adenosina e da expressão mediada de substância P

ABSTRACT Background: Acupuncture has been widely used for alleviating pain. However, its mechanisms remain largely enigmatic. Objective: In the present study, we focused on whether the analgesic effect of electroacupuncture is related to its regulation on adenosine and substance P expression. Methods: We established chronic inflammatory pain model in rats through a single injection of Complete Freund's Adjuvant, and then we treated animals using daily electroacupuncture. We applied seven bilateral sessions of electroacupuncture (ST36 and BL60, 0.5 to 1.5 mA, initial strength of 0.5 mA, increased by 0.5 mA every 10 minutes, for 30 minutes per session, one section per day) to Complete Freund's Adjuvant rats for seven days. The analgesic effect of electroacupuncture was evaluated by measuring paw withdrawal threshold in rats that received mechanical and thermal stimulation. Results: Daily electroacupuncture stimulation effectively increased paw withdrawal threshold in Complete Freund's Adjuvant rats. Electroacupuncture increased the adenosine level in zusanli. A further study showed that electroacupuncture could decrease substance P, neurokinin-1 receptor, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1β, interleukin-6 and CD68 levels in dorsal root ganglion. Interestingly, direct injection of adenosine A1 or substance P receptor antagonists, or dorsal nerve root transection could significantly impair electroacupuncture induced analgesic actions in Complete Freund's Adjuvant rats could and reduce the levels of substance P, neurokinin-1 receptor, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1β, interleukin-6 and CD68. Finally, we confirmed that direct injection of adenosine A1 receptor agonist replicated the analgesic effect of electroacupuncture. Conclusion: Our results indicate regulation of adenosine-mediated substance P secretion. Substance P-mediated pathway may be involved in the analgesia process by electroacupuncture in rats.

RESUMO Introdução: A acupuntura tem sido amplamente utilizada para alívio de dor. No entanto, seus mecanismos são muito pouco conhecidos. Objetivo: Investigar a relação entre o efeito analgésico da eletroacupuntura e a regulação da expressão de adenosina e de substância P. Métodos: Utilizou-se um modelo de dor inflamatória crônica em ratos por injeção única do Adjuvante Completo de Freund e, em seguida, os animais foram tratados com eletroacupuntura diariamente. Foram aplicadas sete sessões bilaterais de eletroacupuntura (ST36 e BL60, 0,5 a 1,5 mA, força inicial de 0,5 mA, aumentada em 0,5 mA a cada 10 minutos, 30 minutos por sessão, uma sessão por dia) em ratos com Adjuvante Completo de Freund, por sete dias. O efeito analgésico da eletroacupuntura foi avaliado pela medida do limiar de retirada da pata em ratos que receberam estimulações mecânica e térmica. Resultados: A estimulação diária com eletroacupuntura aumentou efetivamente o limiar de retirada da pata em ratos com Adjuvante Completo de Freund. A eletroacupuntura aumentou o nível de adenosina na região zusanli. Estudos posteriores mostraram que a eletroacupuntura poderia diminuir os níveis de substância P, receptor de neurocinina-1, fator de necrose tumoral-alpha, interleucina-1β, interleucina-6 e CD68 nos gânglios da raiz dorsal. Curiosamente, a injeção direta de antagonistas do receptor de adenosina A1 ou de substância P, ou a transecção da raiz do nervo dorsal, podem prejudicar significativamente as ações analgésicas induzidas pela eletroacupuntura em ratos com Adjuvante Completo de Freund e reduzir os níveis de substância P, receptor de neurocinina-1, fator de necrose tumoral-alfa, interleucina-1β, interleucina-6 e CD68. Por fim, confirmamos que a injeção direta de um agonista do receptor da adenosina A1 reproduziu os efeitos analgésicos da eletroacupuntura. Conclusão: Nossos resultados indicam a regulação da secreção da substância P mediada pela adenosina. A via mediada pela substância P pode estar envolvida no processo de analgesia por eletroacupuntura em ratos.

H∞ Observer Design for Continuous-Time Takagi-Sugeno Fuzzy Model With Unknown Premise Variables via Nonquadratic Lyapunov Function.

This paper deals with the problem of observer design for continuous-time Takagi-Sugeno fuzzy models with unmeasurable premise variables. First, in order to improve the existing results of observer design, a new method is proposed to bound the time derivatives of the membership function. Then, by applying the nonquadratic Lyapunov function and the matrix decoupling technique, the controller gains and observer gains are designed to guarantee that the error system is asymptotically stale. Furthermore, better H ∞ performance can be obtained by solving an optimization problem. All of the results are presented as linear matrices inequalities and three examples are provided to demonstrate the merits of the proposed approach.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α activation protects against endoplasmic reticulum stress-induced HepG2 cell apoptosis.

Live ischemia-reperfusion injury is associated with endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-induced apoptosis. Activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α (PPARα) may inhibit hepatocyte apoptosis induced by oxidative stress and protect against liver injury. This study aimed to investigate the effects of PPARα activation, through a specific agonist, on ER stress-induced apoptosis in human liver hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) cells. HepG2 cells were challenged with H2O2 and treated with WY14643, a selective PPARα agonist, in the presence or absence of the PPARα antagonist of MK886. Cell viable assay (MTT) and immunostaining were used to evaluate cell viability. The level of apoptotic cell death was quantified through Annexin V/PI staining. Alanine aminotransferase, asparatate aminotransferase, and malondialdehyde levels were measured to determine the presence of cellular injury and oxidative stress. RT-PCR and Western blot analysis were used to detect mRNA and protein expression of PPARα, BiP, and CHOP. Immunofluorescence was utilized to determine the intracellular localization of CHOP. H2O2 and MK886 both reduced the viability of HepG2 cells, increased oxidative stress and apoptosis, up-regulated the BiP and CHOP expression, and induced CHOP translocation from the cytoplasm to the nucleus. Compared with cells treated with H2O2 alone, pre-administration of WY14643 increased cell viability, attenuated apoptosis, improved cell function, down-regulated BiP and CHOP expression and inhibited CHOP translocation. The effects of WY14643 were completely abolished using the MK886 antagonist. PPARα activation protects against H2O2-induced HepG2 cell apoptosis. The underlying mechanisms may be associated with its activation to suppress excessive ER stress.

[Aberrant expression of sperm protein 17 enhances migration of ovarian cancer cell line HO-8910].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects of aberrant expression of sperm protein 17 (Sp17) on the migration of the ovarian cancer cell line HO-8910. METHODS: The recombinant plasmid pEGFP-Sp17 containing Sp17 and enhanced green fluorescent protein gene was transfected into the human ovarian cancer cell line HO-8910 with Lipofectamine 2000. The expression of Sp17 was examined by RT-PCR and Western blot, and the cell migratory capability detected by Transwell chamber assays. RESULTS: Sp17 was expressed as a fusion protein with EGFP after transfected. There was a significant difference in the migratory cell number of the transfected and the control cells (156.6 +/- 14.9/HP vs 39.3 +/- 8.53/HP, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The aberrant expression of Sp17 greatly enhances the migration of ovarian cancer cells.

[Activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway in ventilator-induced lung injury in rat].

OBJECTIVE: To study the activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and the expression of inflammatory cytokines in ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI) in rat. METHODS: Thirty healthy male SD rats were randomly divided into three group (A, B, C group, n=10 per group). Mechanical ventilation was instituted in all the groups. A group: tidal volume (V(T))=8 ml/kg, respiratory rate (RR)=80/min; B group: V(T)=20 ml/kg, RR=80/min; C group: V(T)=40 ml/kg, RR=80/min. The time of ventilation for all the groups was two hours. Rats were sacrificed after experiment was finished. The bronchial lavage liquid and lung tissue were collected and stored with routine methods. The pathological changes in lung tissue were examined with optical microscope. The expression of p38 and phos-p38 (p-p38) were measured by Western blotting in lung tissues. The expression of intercellular adhesion molecular-1 (ICAM-1) was detected by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The contents of total protein, white blood cells (WBC), myeloperoxidase (MPO), macrophage inflammatory protein-2 (MIP-2) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) were also determined. RESULTS: Compared with A group, total protein, WBC, MPO, MIP-2, TNF-alpha, ICAM-1 and p-p38 were significantly increased in B group and C group (all P<0.01). Compared with B group, the above indexes were also significantly increased in C group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Large V(T) mechanical ventilation can significantly activate the p-p38 and inflammatory cytokines, which may play an important role in VILI.