Effects of feed conditioning temperature on pellet quality, growth performance, intestinal development and blood parameters of geese from 1 to 28 d of age.

A 28-d experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of feed-conditioning temperature on the pellet quality, growth performance, intestinal development, and blood parameters of geese. A total of 180 one-day-old White Yuzhou goslings were randomly allotted to 5 treatment groups, with 6 replicates containing 6 birds each. Five diets were conditioned at 65, 70, 75, 80, and 85°C. Body weight and feed intake per pen basis were recorded from the arrival to the end of the trial. Blood and small intestine samples were collected on d 28 for analysis. The results showed that the pellet durability index (PDI), pellet hardness, and gelatinisation degree of starch (GDS) increased with increasing conditioning temperature (P < 0.05). The final body weight (FBW), average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) of goslings significantly increased when conditioning temperature increased from 65 or 70°C to 80 or 85°C (P < 0.05), accompanied by unaffected feed conversion ratio (FCR) (P > 0.05). The villus height to crypt depth ratio (VH/CD) in the duodenum and ileum improved with increasing conditioning temperature (P < 0.05). Additionally, trypsin and amylase activity were enhanced when the conditioning temperature increased from 65 to 85°C (P < 0.05). No significant differences in the carcass traits and blood parameters of goslings were observed among the groups (P > 0.05). Overall, under the present experimental conditions, increasing the steam-conditioning temperature of pelleted feed improved pellet quality, growth performance, intestinal morphology, and digestive enzyme activity in goslings. Based on broken-line regression analysis, the lower critical conditioning temperature for ADG in geese from 1 to 28 d of age was 80.95°C.

Effects of drinking water temperature in winter on growth performance, water consumption, surface temperature, and intestinal development of geese from 21 to 49 days of age.

This research aimed to investigate the effects of drinking water temperatures on growth performance, water consumption, surface temperature, organ indices, blood parameters, and intestinal development of geese, and determine the optimal drinking water temperature for 21 to 49-d geese. A total of 192 twenty-one-day male Yuzhou white geese were allocated randomly to 4 groups with 8 replicate pens per group according to the drinking water temperature (drinking water temperature [7℃-12℃] at ambient temperature [TC], 18℃ [T1], 27℃ [T2], and 36℃ [T3], respectively). The results showed that increasing drinking water temperature did not significantly improve the BW, ADG, and ADFI of geese (P > 0.05), whereas drinking warm water of 36℃ for geese had a trend to increase FCR (0.05 < P < 0.1). Geese in group T2 drank the most water per day on average, whereas geese in group TC drank the least (P < 0.001). Geese in groups T1, T2, and T3 had higher eyes temperatures than group TC (P < 0.001). No significant differences were found on the organ indices and blood biochemical parameters (P > 0.05). Geese from group T1 had higher crypt depth and muscularis thickness of duodenum (P < 0.05), and lower ratio of villus height to crypt depth than other groups (P < 0.001). Geese from group T1 had higher activities of trypsin in duodenum and jejuna and amylase in jejuna at 49 d than other groups (P < 0.01). Overall, these data indicate drinking water at 18℃ can increase water consumption and eyes temperature, and improve the activity of digestive enzymes and promote intestinal development. Under our experimental conditions, we recommend that the optimal drinking water temperature for geese from 21 to 49 d of age is 18°C.

[A real world study of anti-IgE monoclonal antibody in the treatment of allergic united airway disease].

Objective: To investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of anti-IgE monoclonal antibody (omazumab) in the treatment of allergic united airway disease (UAD) in the real-wold. Methods: Retrospective cohort study summarizes the case data of patients with allergic united airway disease who were treated with anti IgE monoclonal antibody (omalizumab) for more than 16 weeks from March 1, 2018 to June 30, 2022 in the Peking University First Hospital.The allergic UAD is defined as allergic asthma combined with allergic rhinitis (AA+AR) or allergic asthma combined with chronic sinusitis with nasal polyps (AA+CRSwNP) or allergic asthma combined with allergic rhinitis and nasal polyps (AA+AR+CRSwNP). The control of asthma was evaluated by asthma control test (ACT), lung function test and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO). The AR was assessed by total nasal symptom score (TNSS). The CRSwNP was evaluated by nasal visual analogue scale (n-VAS), sino-nasal outcome test-22 (SNOT-22), nasal polyps score (TPS) and Lund-Mackay sinus CT grading system. The global evaluation of omalizumab for the treatment of allergic UADwas performed by Global Evaluation of Treatment Effectiveness(GETE).The drug-related side effects were also recorded. Matched t test and Wilcoxon signed-rank test were used to compare the score changes of IgE monoclonal antibody (omazumab) before and after treatment, and multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine the influencing factors of IgE monoclonal antibody (omazumab) response. Results: A total of 117 patients with UAD were enrolled, ranging in age from 19 to 77 years; The median age of patients was 48.7 years; Among them, 60 were male, ranging from 19 to 77 years old, with a median age of 49.9 years; There were 57 females, ranging from 19 to 68 years old, with a median age of 47.2 years. There were 32 cases in AA+AR subgroup, 59 cases in AA+CRSwNP subgroup, and 26 cases in AA+AR+CRSwNP subgroup. The total serum IgE level was 190.5 (103.8,391.3) IU/ml. The treatment course of anti IgE monoclonal antibody was 24 (16, 32) weeks. Compared with pre-treatment, omalizumab increased ACT from 20.0 (19.5,22.0) to 24.0 (23.0,25.0) (Z=-8.537, P<0.001), increased pre-bronchodilator FEV1 from 90.2 (74.8,103.0)% predicted value to 95.4 (83.2,106.0)% predicted value (Z=-5.315,P<0.001), increased FEV1/FVC from 80.20 (66.83,88.38)% to 82.72 (71.26,92.25)% (Z=-4.483,P<0.001), decreased FeNO from(49.1±24.8) ppb to (32.8±24.4) ppb (t=5.235, P<0.001), decreased TNSS from (6.5±2.6)to (2.4±1.9) (t=14.171, P<0.001), decreased n-VAS from (6.8±1.2) to (3.4±2.0)(t=14.448, P<0.001), decreased SNOT-22 from (40.0±7.9) to (21.3±10.2)(t=15.360, P<0.001), decreased TPS from (4.1±0.8) to (2.4±1.0)(t=14.718, P<0.001) and decreased Lund-Mackay CT score from (6.0±1.3) to (3.1±1.6)(t=17.012, P<0.001). The global response rate to omalizumab was 67.5%(79/117). The response rate in AA+AR (90.6%,29/32) was significantly higher than that in AA+CRSwNP (61.0%,36/59) and AA+AR+CRSwNP (53.8%,14/26) subgroups (χ2=11.144,P=0.004). Only 4 patients (3.4%,4/117) had mild side effects. Conclusion: The real-world study showed favorable effectiveness and safety of anti-IgE monoclonal antibody for treatment of allergic UAD. To provide basis for preventing the progress and precise treatment of allergic UAD.

Effects of citric acid supplementation on growth performance, intestinal morphology and microbiota, and blood parameters of geese from 1 to 28 days of age.

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of citric acid (CA) supplementation on growth performance, intestinal morphology, intestinal microbiota, and blood parameters of geese from 1 to 28 d of age and evaluate the optimum additional level of citric acid. A total of 180 one-day-old male goslings were randomly allotted to 5 treatment groups of 36 birds with 6 replications. The control group was fed a basal diet, and the other groups were fed the basal diet supplemented with 0.25, 0.50, 1.00, and 2.00% of citric acid, respectively. The results showed that goslings fed the diet supplemented with 1.00% CA had higher final body weight (FBW) and average daily gain (ADG) than other groups (P < 0.05). The CA supplementation at 0.25 to 1.00% improved the morphology of duodenum or jejunum (P < 0.05). The jejunal content pH value was significantly reduced with the addition of CA compared with the control group (P < 0.05). As citric acid levels increased, the IgA concentrations in plasma increased and then decreased, and the goslings fed 1.00% CA supplementation had the highest IgA concentrations (P < 0.05). The supplementation of 1.00% and 2.00% CA in diet significantly reduced the malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration in plasma (P < 0.05). No significant difference was found on some indices related to liver function in plasma (P > 0.05), while creatinine significantly increased by the 2.00% CA supplementation (P < 0.05). Besides, the higher Coliform level in cecal content and worse intestinal morphology were observed when CA supplementation was up to 2.00%. Hence, the dietary CA supplementation (especially 1.00%) in goslings improves the growth performance, intestinal morphology, immunity and antioxidant, while excessive CA addition may cause negative effects. According to the quadratic polynomial model, the addition of CA in diet for obtaining maximum average daily feed intake (ADFI) should be 1.09% (10.9 g/kg diet) for goslings from 1 to 28 d of age.

Effects of feed trough positioning height on growth performance, feed loss, feeding environment, and behavior of geese.

In the traditional feeding pattern of geese, the feed trough will be placed on the ground for a long time and hurts the living environment. This research aimed to investigate the effect of 4 different feed trough positioning heights on growth performance, blood parameters, feed loss, water consumption, feeding environment, and behavior of geese and determine the optimal trough positioning height for 28 to 70-d geese. A total of one hundred ninty-two 28-d male Yuzhou white geese were allocated randomly to 4 groups with 6 replicate pens per group according to the trough positioning height (on the ground [D], one-third [L], two-thirds [M], and the same height of geese's beak above the ground [H], respectively). The results show that the growth performance and blood biochemical parameters have no significant difference among groups (P > 0.05). The average daily feed loss and water consumption presented the lowest value in group H (P < 0.01). The hygienic condition index of the feed and feed trough increased as trough positioning height. Feed from group H had a higher cleanliness score than other groups (P < 0.001). The count of microbes (total bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus, and Escherichia coli) on the surface of the feed trough from group H was lower than other groups (P < 0.001). Geese from group H had shorter daily feeding and drinking time than other groups (P < 0.05). Overall, these data indicate the same trough positioning height with geese's beaks could lower feed loss, and water consumption and improve hygienic conditions without damage to growth performance and will be the optimal choice for geese.

Effects of ambient temperature on growth performance, blood parameter, and fat deposition of geese from 14 to 28 days of age.

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of ambient temperature on the growth performance, blood parameter, and fat deposition in geese from 14 to 28 d of age in order to establish their optimal temperature requirements. A total of 150 14-day-old geese were allocated randomly to 5 environmentally controlled chambers with ambient temperature set at 18, 21, 24, 27, and 30°C from 14 to 28 d of age, respectively. As ambient temperature increased from 18 to 30°C, the feed intake decreased linearly (P < 0.05) and was accompanied by linearly or quadratically (P < 0.05) decreasing 28-day-old body weight, weight gain, and feed/gain. The upper critical level of ambient temperature from 14 to 28 d of age for 28-day-old body weight and weight gain were 25.83 and 26.17°C, respectively. There were no differences in plasma biochemical parameters or plasma hormones between geese fed at ambient temperature regimen at 18, 21, 24, 27, and 30°C. The abdominal fat weight and abdominal fat rate decreased linearly (P ≤ 0.05) with higher ambient temperature, but the ambient temperature had no effect on subcutaneous fat thickness or intermuscular fat width. It was concluded that the upper critical temperature of the ambient temperature for geese from 14 to 28 d of age was 26.17°C and high ambient temperature could lead to growth depression.

Effects of ambient temperature on the growth performance, fat deposition, and intestinal morphology of geese from 28 to 49 days of age.

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of ambient temperature on the growth performance, fat deposition, and intestinal morphology of geese from 28 to 49 d of age. A total of 120 twenty-eight-day-old geese were randomly allotted to 5 environmentally controlled chambers with ambient temperatures set at 18, 21, 24, 27, and 30°C from 28 to 49 d of age, respectively. The feed intake, 49 d body weight, and weight gain decreased linearly or quadratically (P < 0.05) as ambient temperature increased and declined to a minimum when the temperature increased to 30°C. The feed/gain showed a linear or quadratic (P < 0.05) increasing response to increasing temperature. According to broken-line regression, the upper critical levels of ambient temperature from 28 to 49 d of age for weight gain and feed intake were 25.19 and 23.97°C, respectively. As ambient temperature increased from 18 to 30°C, the abdominal fat weight, abdominal fat rate, and subcutaneous fat thickness decreased linearly (P < 0.05) and were accompanied by linearly increasing liver fat content (P < 0.05), but the ambient temperature had no effect on intermuscular fat width or breast muscle fat content (P > 0.05). There were no differences in jejunal, ileal, or cecal morphology for geese raised at 18, 21, 24, 27, and 30°C (P > 0.05). The duodenal villus height showed a linear decreasing response to increasing ambient temperature, but the ambient temperature had no effect on crypt depth, villus width, muscularis thickness, or villus height/crypt depth of the duodenum (P > 0.05). These results indicate that high ambient temperature decreased growth performance and fat deposition and impaired duodenal morphology of geese. Under our experimental conditions, we recommend that the upper critical ambient temperature for geese from 28 to 49 d of age be 25.19°C.

MiR-524 inhibits cell proliferation and induces cell apoptosis in thyroid cancer via targeting SPAG9.

The article "MiR-524 inhibits cell proliferation and induces cell apoptosis in thyroid cancer via targeting SPAG9", by Z. Zhen, F. Dong, H. Shen, Q.-G. Wang, L. Yang, J. Hu, published in Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2018; 22 (12): 3812-3818-DOI: 10.26355/eurrev_201806_15265-PMID: 29949157, has been retracted by the authors due to some unrepeated data in their current research. The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. https://www.europeanreview.org/article/15265.

Effect of stocking density on growth performance, feather quality, serum hormone, and intestinal development of geese from 1 to 14 days of age.

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of stocking density on growth performance, feather quality, serum hormone, and intestinal development of geese from 1 to 14 d of age. A total of 450 one-day-old geese were randomly allotted to 45 battery cage (0.65 m × 0.62 m) pens according to 5 stocking densities (15, 20, 25, 30, and 35 birds/m2). The results showed that ADG and ADFI were reduced (P < 0.05) as stocking density increased from 15 to 35 birds/m2, but increasing stocking density did not influence (P > 0.05) feed conversion ratio (FCR) and body measurement traits. High stocking density significantly decreased (P < 0.05) the feather quality of back, thoracoabdominal, wing, and tail. No significant difference (P > 0.05) was found in serum concentration of adrenocorticotrophic hormone, cortisol, corticosterone, triiodothyronine, and thyroxine. The weight of cecum and intestine decreased (P < 0.05) as the stocking density increased. Increasing stocking density decreased (P < 0.05) jejunal villus height and villus height-to-crypt depth ratio, and increased (P < 0.05) jejunal crypt depth and ileal crypt depth in geese. Consequently, the high stocking density could depress the growth and impaired feather quality and intestinal development of geese. Under our experimental conditions, we recommend that the stocking density of geese from 1 to 14 d of age should not more than 20 birds/m2.

Effect of feeding frequency on the growth performance, carcass traits, and apparent nutrient digestibility in geese.

This study was conducted to determine the effect of feeding frequency on growth performance, carcass traits, and apparent nutrient digestibility in geese from 28 to 70 D of age. In experiment 1, a total of 240 geese were distributed in a completely randomized design into 4 treatments and 6 replicates of 10 birds each. The treatments were free access to the feeder (ad libitum) and access to the feeder 3, 4, and 5 times daily. Geese fed 3 times daily had a lower (P < 0.05) BW, ADG, and ADFI and a higher (P = 0.064) feed conversion ratio (FCR) from 28 to 41 D of age compared with the other groups. Geese fed 4 times daily had a higher (P < 0.05) ADG and ADFI and a lower (P < 0.05) FCR from 42 to 55 D of age compared with ad libitum fed geese. Geese fed 3 times daily had a higher (P < 0.05) ADG from 56 to 69 D of age than geese fed ad libitum and 4 times daily. No differences (P > 0.05) in BW, ADFI, ADG, and FCR were observed between ad libitum and feeding frequency groups from 28 to 69 D of age. Carcass traits and gastrointestinal development were not affected (P > 0.05) by feeding frequency. In experiment 2, the apparent nutrient digestibility in geese from 71 to 77 D of age fed using different feeding frequencies was determined using the total fecal collection method. Feeding frequency did not affect (P > 0.05) the apparent digestibility of DM, CP, crude ash, calcium, phosphorous, or ether extract in geese. Our study demonstrates for the first time that compensatory growth can be gained by enhancing feed intake when a lower feeding frequency is imposed on geese. Both ad libitum feeding and fixed feeding frequency for 3 to 5 times daily are suitable for geese from 28 to 70 D of age to achieve optimum production.

[Association between the morphology of the implanted atrial septal defect occluding umbrella and postoperative headache].

Objective: To explore whether the atrial septal defect(ASD) size, the type of occlusion umbrella selected, and the morphological changes after release of occlusion umbrella affect the headache symptoms of ASD patients after operation. Methods: A total of 567 ASD ptients, who underwent successful implantion with a single occlude from January 2014 to December 2017 in General Hospital of Northern Theater Command were enrolled. The patients were divided into symptomatic group and asymptomatic group according to the presence or absence of headache symptoms after occlusion. X-ray catheter calibration method was used to measure the diameter(d), thickness（L）, maximum diameter of the left umbrella surface after release(D2) and the value of i (i = D2/L). Risk factors related to headache were analyzed by multivariate logistic regression analysis. linear regression analysis was used to detect the relationship between the type of occluder umbrella and ASD diameter in asymptomatic group. Results: A total of 567 patients with one occluder umbrella were included, and 148(26.1%) cases were male. The age was (34.4±19.4) years old. The follow-up time was (12.7±2.8) months. There were 51 cases in the symptomatic group and 516 cases in the asymptomatic group. In 29 patients who were treated by extending the course or increasing the dose of aspirin, the symptoms disappeared or improved. There was no significant difference in the maximum ASD diameter (TTE measured) and the size of occluder between the symptomatic group and asymptomatic group(both P>0.05). The value of d ((19.80±6.67)mm vs.(17.40±7.28) mm, P=0.041) D2 ((43.29±7.41）mm vs. (39.20±9.59)mm， P=0.013)and L((13.06±3.72)mm vs. (10.19±2.90) mm，P=0.025) of the symptomatic group were all higher than that of the asymptomatic group，while the i value was smaller((3.54±0.88）vs.(3.99±0.93)，P=0.010）. The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the value of L(OR=1.286，95%CI 1.176-1.406, P=0.002) and the value of i(OR=0.916，95%CI 0.867-0.968, P<0.001) were independent factors of headache symptoms in patients after ASD occlusion, while the value of d and the value of D2 were not independent factors (both P>0.05). Linear equations obtained from asymptomatic patients showed the size of occluder =1.121×the maximum ASD diameter of TTE measured +6.414. Conclusions: There is no correlation between the symptoms with the expanded diameter and the maximum diameter of left umbrella's surface after released. The Postoperative discomfort symptoms is significantly correlated to the thickness of the occluder and the value of i. It is suggested that headache could be induced by the oversized occlude, thus choosing the appropriate size of the occluder is essential to reduce the occurrence of postoperative headache symptoms. Increasing the size of occluder because of worrying about the abscission and removal of the occlude is unreasonable. The antiplatelet therapy should also be strengthened to reduce the occurrence of symptoms and improve the symptoms of the patients if the occluder's size is too large. This regression equation (The size of occluder =1.121 × the maximum ASD diameter of TTE measured +6.414) could be used as a reference for the suitable selection of ASD occluder.

[The effect of welding ultraviolet on the antioxidant function and DNA of workers].

Objective: To explore the skin damage, oxidative damage and DNA damage of welding workers caused by ultra violet. Methods: From 1 May to 30 June 2017, 125 welding workers were selected as the contact group, which was divided into 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10-year-working age groups with 25 workers in each group and 25 healthy volunteers as the control group. The workers in the contact group were investigated with questionnaires on the distribution and wearing of protective equipment; the subjects in the two groups were examined in dermatology, and the peripheral blood was collected to detect the total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and DNA damage of mononuclear cells, and the influence of ultraviolet on the above indexes was analyzed. Results: The distribution rates of welding mask, dust mask and goggles were 100.0% (125/125) , 96.0% (120/125) , 98.4% (123/125) , respectively, and the distribution rates of welding gloves were 64.8% (81/125) ; the wearing rates of welding mask and goggles were 100.0% (125/125) , 90.4% (113/125) , and the wearing rates of dust mask and welding gloves were 89.6% (112/125) and 64.0% (80/125) , respectively. The acute skin injuries such as hand and face peeling and skin pruritus were serious in the 2-year-working age group, and the chronic skin injuries such as insensitive and numbness and verrucous vegetations were the main manifestations in the 10-year-working age group. Compared with the control group, T-AOC in peripheral blood of workers exposed to 6, 8 and 10 years decreased significantly, and DNA content in comet tail of workers exposed to various working years increased significantly (P<0.05) , while DNA content in comet tail increased with working years (F=1501.130, P<0.05) . Conclusion: UV welding can cause skin damage, reduce the antioxidant capacity of the body, and increase DNA damage with the increase of working age.

Inhibition of long non-coding RNA TSIX accelerates tibia fraction healing via binding and positively regulating the SOX6 expression.

OBJECTIVE: Fragile fracture patients need to be treated with long-term fixation and the recovery process is slow. Several studies have shown that the fracture healing process is related to gene expression. We aimed to investigate the role of long chain non-coding RNA TSIX (lncRNA TSIX) on fracture healing after tibial fracture (TF) and explore the molecular mechanism underlying its action. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The male C57BL/6J mice were used to construct TF models and osteoblasts were used as in vitro model. The proliferation, apoptosis, and osteogenesis-related genes of Col1a1, Col-II, and Col-X were detected to evaluate the role of lncRNA TSIX in vivo and in vitro after TF. Haematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was conducted to confirm the fracture healing conditions. RESULTS: We found that LncRNA TSIX expression in plasma of TF mice significantly upregulated in a time-dependent manner. Overexpression of lncRNA TSIX could significantly inhibit proliferation but promote apoptosis and regulate the osteogenesis-related genes expression by binding and positively regulate sex-determining region Y box 6 (SOX6) expression, while knockdown of lncRNA TSIX showed the opposite effect in osteoblastic cells. Inhibition of lncRNA TSIX could improve fracture healing after TF. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, our study supported that knockdown of lncRNA TSIX could promote the tibia fracture healing by binding and inhibiting the SOX6 expression. We suggest that lncRNA TSIX/SOX may be the potential targets for the treatment of TF.

[Analysis and surgical treatment of 72 cases of parapharyngeal space tumors].

Objective:To summarize and analyze the clinical features, diagnosis methods, surgical approaches and treatment outcomes of patients with parapharygeal space tumors.Method:A retrospective review of 72 cases with parapharygeal space tumors treated from March 1994 to June 2017 was performed. The data on presentation, surgical approach, histological diagnosis and postoperative complications were reviewed.Result:The postoperative pathological diagnosis included 62 benign tumors and 10 malignant tumors. The most frequent symptom was a cervical mass or an intraoral swelling. All patients underwent preoperative enhanced CT scan or MRI,which would be helpful to evaluate the tumor sizes,locations and possible sources,and to make operation scheme. The postoperative pathology included 24 salivary gland lesions and 30 neurogenic lesions. The postoperative complications happened in 13 patients. The surgical approaches included trans-cervical approach in 55 cases, cervical-parotid approach in 9 cases,trans-oral approach in 6 cases , and trans skull base approach in 2 case.Conclusion:A parapharygeal space tumor is an uncommon tumor and requires careful preoperative assessment. Surgery is the first choice for parapharygeal space tumors. These patients should be counseled appropriately about the potential for permanent cranial nerve deficits.

[Safety and efficacy of transcatheter closure of ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm].

Objective: To investigate the safety and efficacy of transcatheter closure of ruptured sinus of Valsava aneurysm(RSVA). Methods: A total of 33 RSVA patients underwent transcatheter closure from January 2006 to March 2017 in our hospital were included in this retrospective study. The RSVA was diagnosed by echocardiography.Different type of occluders were applied for transcatheter closure based on the aortography results. All the patients were followed up after the procedure. Results: The patients were (37.6±12.1) years old,and the male patients accounted for 78.8%(26 cases).RSVA from right coronary sinus was found in 25 patients,and draining chamber was right atrium in 13 cases, right ventricle in 12 cases. RSVA from noncoronary sinus was diagnosed in 8 patients,and the draining chamber was right atrium. Aortography defined the narrowest diameter at the rupture site was (6.4±1.7)mm. The ratio of Qp/Qs was 2.2±0.5,and the mean pressure of pulmonary artery was 24.0(21.2,33.7)mmHg(1 mmHg=0.133 kPa). One patient developed serious occluder related aortic regurgitation and underwent surgery, transcatheter closure was successfully performed in 32 patients. The success rate of transcatheter closure was 97.0%. Two types of device were used in the study including small-waist double-disk ventricular septal defect(VSD) occluders in 20 cases and patent ductus arteriosus(PDA) occluders in 12 cases. During a median follow-up of 73.5(28.3,89.5) months, there were no infective endocarditis, residual shunt, thrombosis, device displacement,serious aortic regurgitation, serious arrhythmia or death.At the last follow-up, the left atrial diameter((37.4±6.5) mm vs. (41.5±5.3)mm,P<0.01),right atrial diameter((42.4±3.0) mm vs. (48.5±6.0)mm,P<0.01), right ventricular diameter((22.2±3.8) mm vs. (27.7±7.2)mm,P<0.01) and left ventricular end-diastolic diameter((51.3±4.9) mm vs.(55.0±4.3)mm,P<0.01)measured by echocardiography were all smaller than pre-procedural level. Conclusion: Transcatheter closure of RVSA is a safe and effective strategy and associated with a good long-term outcome.

MiR-524 inhibits cell proliferation and induces cell apoptosis in thyroid cancer via targeting SPAG9.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of miR-524 on the proliferation of thyroid cancer and its underlying mechanism. PATIENTS AND METHODS: MiR-524 expression levels in thyroid cancer samples and para-cancer tissues were tested by quantitative Real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Cells proliferative ability and apoptosis were evaluated through methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) and apoptosis assays, respectively. Luciferase reporter assay was used to confirm the regulatory mechanism. RESULTS: MiR-524 expression was reduced in thyroid cancer specimen (p<0.05). Up-regulated miR-524 expression inhibited the proliferative ability and enhanced cell apoptosis of thyroid cancer cells. SPAG9 was a target gene of miR-524, and was reversely regulated by miR-524. CONCLUSIONS: MiR-524 represses thyroid cancer cell proliferation and induces cell apoptosis via targeting SPAG9.

Indoor particle dynamics in a school office: determination of particle concentrations, deposition rates and penetration factors under naturally ventilated conditions.

Recently, the problem of indoor particulate matter pollution has received much attention. An increasing number of epidemiological studies show that the concentration of atmospheric particulate matter has a significant effect on human health, even at very low concentrations. Most of these investigations have relied upon outdoor particle concentrations as surrogates of human exposures. However, considering that the concentration distribution of the indoor particulate matter is largely dependent on the extent to which these particles penetrate the building and on the degree of suspension in the indoor air, human exposures to particles of outdoor origin may not be equal to outdoor particle concentration levels. Therefore, it is critical to understand the relationship between the particle concentrations found outdoors and those found in indoor micro-environments. In this study, experiments were conducted using a naturally ventilated office located in Qingdao, China. The indoor and outdoor particle concentrations were measured at the same time using an optical counter with four size ranges. The particle size distribution ranged from 0.3 to 2.5 µm, and the experimental period was from April to September, 2016. Based on the experimental data, the dynamic and mass balance model based on time was used to estimate the penetration rate and deposition rate at air exchange rates of 0.03-0.25 h-1. The values of the penetration rate and deposition velocity of indoor particles were determined to range from 0.45 to 0.82 h-1 and 1.71 to 2.82 m/h, respectively. In addition, the particulate pollution exposure in the indoor environment was analyzed to estimate the exposure hazard from indoor particulate matter pollution, which is important for human exposure to particles and associated health effects. The conclusions from this study can serve to provide a better understanding the dynamics and behaviors of airborne particle entering into buildings. And they will also highlight effective methods to reduce exposure to particles in office buildings.

The regulatory role of SLP-2 and mechanism on CCBE1 gene expression in rectal carcinoma and adjacent lymphatic tube tissues.

OBJECTIVE: The incidence of rectal carcinoma (RC) has been increasing recently, and becomes the second most common digestive tumors besides gastric cancer, with a rise in the incidence of RC in younger populations. The early diagnosis and treatment are thus critical for the improvement of survival rate and life quality of patients. Stomatin-like protein 2 (SLP-2) is a type of membrane factor, which is generally found highly expressed in various tumors. Collagen and calcium-binding EGF domain (CCBE1) belongs to lymphatic tube genesis factor. The regulatory role of SLP-2 gene on CCBE1 expression in RC tumor and adjacent lymphatic tube tissues, however, has not been studied. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 52 RC patients were recruited, and tumor and adjacent lymphatic tube tissues were collected. Real-time PCR, western blotting and immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining were used to analyze SLP-2 and CCBE1 expressions. Human lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) were cultured in vitro and were assigned to control, scramble, and SLP-2 siRNA group. MTT assay was used to detect cell proliferation, while caspase 3 activity was detected. RESULTS: SLP-2 and CCBE1 levels were significantly elevated in tumor lymphatic tissues, compared to that in adjacent tissues. Statistically positive correlation between SLP-1 and CCBE2 was found (p<0.05). The downregulation of SLP-2 by siRNA inhibited cell proliferation, elevated caspase3 activity, and decreased CCBE1 expression (p<0.05 compared to control group). CONCLUSIONS: SLP-2 is up-regulated in RC lymphatic tissues, and is positively correlated with the level of CCBE1, which provides the academic the basis for the development of medicine targeting SLP-2 in the anti-rectal carcinoma therapy.