[Research progress of macrophage polarization in silicosis fibrosis].

Silicosis is a common occupational disease, and its main characteristic pathological features are the formation of silicon nodules and diffuse pulmonary fibrosis. In the process of silicosis fibrosis, macrophages can be polarized into M1 macrophages and M2 macrophages. M1 macrophages play a pro-inflammatory role in the early stage of silicosis and release a variety of inflammatory factors, which is the core of inflammatory response. M2 macrophages promote inflammation resolution and tissue repair in silicosis fibrosis stage by secreting anti-inflammatory cytokines and pro-fibrotic mediators. M1/M2 polarization balance plays an important role in the occurrence and development of silicosis, and the regulation of macrophage polarization direction may play a positive role in the prevention and treatment of silicosis fibrosis. In this review, the role of macrophage polarization in silicosis fibrosis, the related signaling pathways regulating macrophage polarization in silicosis fibrosis, and the potential therapeutic targets based on macrophage polarization in silicosis fibrosis are reviewed, with a view to further strengthening the understanding of the mechanism of macrophage polarization in the pathogenesis and treatment of silicosis fibrosis.

[circDDX17 targets miR-223-3p / RIP3 to regulate the proliferation and apoptosis of non-small cell lung cancer cells].

Objective: To explore the molecular mechanism of circDDX17 regulating the proliferation and apoptosis of non-small cell lung cancer cells by targeting the miR-223-3p/RIP3 molecular axis. Methods: The expression levels of circDDX17, miR-223-3p, and RIP3 in human normal lung epithelial cell lines BEAS-2B and non-small cell lung cancer cells H1299, A549, and H446 were detected by reverse transcription-quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). The plasmids of pcDNA, pcDNA-circDDX17, anti-miR-con, anti-miR-223-3p, pcDNA-circDDX17 and miR-con, pcDNA-circDDX17 and miR-223-3p mimics were transfected into H1299 cells. 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was used to detect the cell proliferation. Flow cytometry was used to detect the cell cycle and cell apoptosis. Plate cloning experiment was used to detect cell proliferation ability. The dual luciferase report experiment was applied to verify the targeting relationship between miR-223-3p with circDDX17 and RIP3. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of cyclinD1, CDK2, cleaved caspase-3 and Bax. Results: The expression levels of circDDX17 and RIP3 mRNA in H1299, A549, and H446 cells were significantly reduced (P<0.05), the expression level of miR-223-3p mRNA was significantly increased (P<0.05) compared with BEAS-2B. The cell viability [(69.46±4.68)%], the number of cell clones (83.49±7.86), the proportion of cells in S phase [(22.52±1.41) %], the protein expression levels of cyclinD1 and CDK2 in PCDNa-CircDDX17 group were lower than those in pcDNA group [(97.54±7.72)%, 205.03±13.37, (28.69±1.49)%, respectively, P<0.05], while the percentage of G0/G1 phase cells [(64.45±3.56)%], apoptosis rate [(18.36±1.63)%], the protein expression levels of cleaved caspase-3 and Bax in pcDNA-circDDX17 group were higher than those of pcDNA group [(51.33±2.76) % and (5.21±0.54) %, respectively, P<0.05]. The viability [(72.64±5.44)%], the number of cell clones (78.16±8.23), the proportion of S-stage cells [(21.34±1.59) %], the protein expression levels of CyclinD1 and CDK2 in anti-miR-223-3p group were lower than those in anti-miR-con group [(103.47±6.25)%, 169.32±14.53, (28.43±1.26)%, respectively, P<0.05]. Percentage of G0/G1 phase cells [(62.86±3.28)%], apoptosis rate [(14.64±1.67)%], the protein expression levels of cleaved caspase-3 and Bax in the anti-miR-223-3p group were higher than those of anti-miR-con group [(51.33±2.71)% and (4.83±0.39)%, respectively, P<0.05]. MiR-223-3p has complementary sites with circDDX17 or RIP3. The viability [(135.45±9.28)%], the number of cell clones (174.64±10.68), the proportion of S-phase cells [(26.39±2.25)%], the protein expression levels of cyclinD1 and CDK2 in pcDNA-circDDX17+miR-223-3p group were higher than those in pcDNA-circDDX17+miR-con group [(101.56±6.68)%, 107.65±7.62, (21.64±1.72)%, P<0.05]. Percentage of G0/G1 phase cells [(56.64±2.76)%], apoptosis rate [(8.34±0.76)%], the protein expression levels of cleaved caspase-3 and Bax in pcDNA-circDDX17+miR-223-3p group were lower than those of pcDNA-circDDX17+miR-con group [(64.03±3.48)% and (15.21±1.18)%, respectively, P<0.05]. Conclusion: circDDX17 could inhibit the proliferation and induce apoptosis of non-small cell lung cancer cells via targeting the miR-223-3p / RIP3 molecular axis.

[Determination of Perchloroethylene in blood by headspace gas chromatography-mass spectrometry].

Objective: To establish a method for determination of Perchloroethylene (PCE) in blood by headspace gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS/GC-MS) . Methods: From Dctober to December 2021, A total of 3 mL blood samples were taken into a 10 mL headspace bottle, after heated at 60 ℃ for 30 mins, PCE in the top air was separated by VF-WAXms capillary column and detected by GC-MS. The retention time and external standard method were used for qualitative and quantitative analysis of PCE in samples, respectively. Results: There was good linear relationship in the range of 5.09-200.17 µg/L. The linear correlation coefficient was 0.9993.The detection limit was 0.21 µg/L and the lower limit of quantitation was 0.70 µg/L. The recovery rates of samples with different concentrations were 95.3%-103.8%. The intra-batch relative standard deviations (RSD) were 3.2%-4.6%, and inter-batch RSD was 4.0%-6.1%. The samples can be stored at 4 ℃ for three days and at -20 ℃ for seven days. Conclusion: This method is proved to be simple, practical and highly sensitive, which is suitable for the determination of PCE in blood.

[Clinical and prognostic analysis of opsoclonus-myoclonus-ataxia syndrome in children].

Objective: To summarize the clinical and prognostic features of children with opsoclonus-myoclonus-ataxia syndrome (OMAS). Methods: A total of 46 patients who met the diagnostic criteria of OMAS in the Department of Neurology, Beijing Children's Hospital from June 2015 to June 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. Centralized online consultations or telephone visits were conducted between June and August 2023. The data of the children during hospitalization and follow-up were collected, including clinical manifestations, assistant examination, treatment and prognosis. According to the presence or absence of tumor, the patients were divided into two groups. The chi-square test or Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the differences between the two groups. Univariate Logistic regression was used to analyze the factors related to OMAS recurrence and prognosis. Results: There were 46 patients, with 25 males and the onset age of 1.5 (1.2, 2.4) years. Twenty-six (57%) patients were diagnosed with neuroblastoma during the course of the disease, and no patients were categorized into the high-risk group. A total of 36 patients (78%) were followed up for≥6 months, and all of them were treated with first-line therapy with glucocorticoids, gammaglobulin and (or) adrenocorticotrophic hormone. Among the 36 patients, 9 patients (25%) were treated with second-line therapy for ≥3 months, including rituximab or cyclophosphamide, and 17 patients (47%) received chemotherapy related to neuroblastoma. At the follow-up time of 4.2 (2.2, 5.5) years, 10 patients (28%) had relapsed of OMAS. The Mitchell and Pike OMS rating scale score at the final follow-up was 0.5 (0, 2.0). Seven patients (19%) were mildly cognitively behind their peers and 6 patients (17%) were severely behind. Only 1 patient had tumor recurrence during follow-up. The history of vaccination or infection before onset was more common in the non-tumor group than in the tumor group (55%(11/20) vs. 23%(6/26), χ²=4.95, P=0.026). Myoclonus occurred more frequently in the non-tumor group (40%(8/20) vs. 4%(1/26), χ²=7.23, P=0.007) as the onset symptom. Univariate Logistic regression analysis showed that the tumor group had less recurrence (OR=0.19 (0.04-0.93), P=0.041). The use of second-line therapy or chemotherapy within 6 months of the disease course had a better prognosis (OR=11.64 (1.27-106.72), P=0.030). Conclusions: OMAS in children mostly starts in early childhood, and about half are combined with neuroblastoma. Neuroblastoma in combination with OMAS usually has a low risk classification and good prognosis. When comparing patients with OMAS with and without tumors, the latter have a more common infection or vaccination triggers, and myoclonus, as the onset symptom, is more common. Early addition of second-line therapy is associated with better prognosis in OMAS.

Salmonella enteritidis abdominal aorta mycotic aneurysm presented with acute cholestatic jaundice: A case report and literature review.

Mycotic aneurysm is one of the extra-intestinal manifestations of Salmonella Enteritidis infection. The diagnosis of this condition is challenging owed to its variation in clinical presentations. We presented a case of a 54-year-old man with underlying diabetes mellitus and chronic smokers presented with acute right flank pain and fever associated with mild jaundice. The initial laboratory investigations suggested features of obstructive jaundice and urinary tract infection. The contrast enhancing computed tomography of the abdomen revealed the presence of saccular mycotic aneurysm located at the infrarenal abdominal aorta. The blood culture grew Salmonella Enteritidis which was susceptible to ceftriaxone, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, ciprofloxacin, ampicillin, and amoxicillin-clavulanic acid. Intravenous ceftriaxone was initiated, and he underwent open surgery and artery repair at day 8 of admission. He responded well to the treatment given and subsequently discharged home after completed three weeks of intravenous ceftriaxone.

[Analysis of clinical and imaging features of 6 cases of linear scleroderma en coup de sabre with central nervous system involvement in children].

Objective: To summarize the clinical and imaging features of linear scleroderma en coup de saber (LSCS) with central nervous system involvement in children. Methods: The clinical data(clinical manifestations and imaging features) of 6 children diagnosed with LSCS with central nervous system involvement who were admitted to Beijing Children's Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University from May 2019 to November 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. Results: The 6 patients were all female, aged 6.8 (3.3, 11.0) years at the time of diagnosis, and aged 3.0 (1.7, 4.1) years at the time of discovery of facial skin lesions. Facial skin lesions appeared before neurological symptoms in 5 cases, and neurological symptoms appeared 2 months before skin lesions in 1 case. All the patients had "sword wound" skin lesions on the forehead with alopecia. Neurological manifestations included epileptic seizures in 6 cases, focal neurological defects in 5 cases, and headaches in 2 cases. The intracranial lesions were all ipsilateral to the skin lesions. The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of 6 cases showed abnormal signals mainly involving white matter in 1 hemisphere, and 3 cases showed local encephalomalacia. The scattered low signal was observed in 5 cases on susceptibility weighted imaging. Localized brain parenchyma or leptomeninges enhancement was seen on Gadolinium-enhanced sequences in 5 cases. Scattered foci of calcification on the affected side were seen on cranial CT in 4 cases. Skin biopsy was performed in 2 cases. Part of the lesion of the brain was removed in 1 case, and the pathological findings suggested small vasculitis, which was consistent with skin pathological changes. All patients received symptomatic treatment with antiepileptic drugs. Oral prednisone combined with methotrexate was given in 4 cases, and 1 case was given oral prednisone only. One case was presumed to be in the resting stage of the disease due to significant cerebral atrophy in half of the brain, and only antiepileptic drugs were added. The patients were followed up for 6-36 months. The skin lesions of scleroderma and alopecia did not progress in 5 cases, and hemifacial atrophy was developed in 1 case, which was considered to be combined with Parry-Romberg syndrome. The seizures were controlled in 4 cases. One case had reduced seizure frequency but left hemiplegia. One patient still had intractable epilepsy and paroxysmal headache. Conclusions: LSCS with central nervous system involvement is more common in girls, with seizures and neurological defects as the main manifestations. Intracranial lesions are mostly ipsilateral to the skin lesions. Cerebral microbleeds, calcification, and encephalomalacia foci are common, and the pathological changes in skin and intracranial lesions are consistent with small-vessel vasculitis. Prednisone combined with methotrexate treatment has shown some efficacy, but some children remain with refractory epilepsy and neurological deficit symptoms.

An unsuspected and unusual case of zoonotic sporotrichosis.

Sporotrichosis is an infection caused by a thermally dimorphic fungus, Sporothrix schenckii which is commonly reported in the tropics and subtropics. Infection usually occurs as a consequence of traumatic inoculation into the skin. A previously healthy 33-year-old Malay woman presented with a scratch wound over the lateral aspect of her left thigh for 2 months after being scratched by her pet cat. Inspection of the wound revealed a granulomatous plaque measuring 3cm x 2cm with hyperkeratotic scales, fissures and multiple blackish pigments. There was a tender, palpable left inguinal lymph node measuring 1cm x 1cm but the overlying skin looked normal. She was prescribed two courses of antibiotics empirically, without any clinical improvement seen. During follow up and further history taking, the patient informed that her pet cat was diagnosed with sporotrichosis a month before the scratching incident took place, but she claimed that her pet cat had been treated and was cured. She was then empirically started with oral itraconazole 200mg twice a day for two months. Histopathological examination of a skin biopsy showed acute on chronic suppurative granulomatous inflammation but was negative for any fungal elements. However, culture of the skin biopsy isolated Sporothrix schenckii. A final diagnosis of localised cutaneous sporotrichosis was made and the oral itraconazole was continued for another two months. The wound improved dramatically since itraconazole started.

Comparison of the Utility of High-Resolution CT-DWI and T2WI-DWI Fusion Images for the Localization of Cholesteatoma.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Cholesteatoma is an aggressive disease that may lead to hearing impairment. This study aimed to compare the utility of high-resolution CT and TSE-DWI fusion images with that of T2WI and TSE-DWI fusion images in the localization of middle ear cholesteatoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy-one patients with middle ear cholesteatoma were retrospectively recruited. High-resolution CT, T2WI with fat suppression, and TSE-DWI scans were obtained, and image fusion was performed using a 3D reconstruction postprocessing workstation to form CT-DWI and T2WI-DWI fusion images. The quality of the 2 fused images was subjectively evaluated using a 5-point Likert scale with the horizontal semicircular canal transverse position as the reference. Receiver operating characteristic analysis was performed, and the diagnostic efficacies of CT-DWI and T2WI-DWI fusion images in localizing middle ear cholesteatoma were calculated. RESULTS: The overall quality of T2WI-DWI fusion images was slightly higher than that of CT-DWI fusion images (P < .001), and the semicircular canal was slightly less clear on T2WI-DWI than on CT-DWI (P < .001). No statistical difference was found in the diagnostic confidence between them. In the localization of middle ear cholesteatoma, the accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of T2WI-DWI fusion images and CT-DWI fusion images were equivalent for involvement of the attic, tympanic cavity, mastoid antrum, and mastoid process, with no statistically significant differences. CONCLUSIONS: T2WI-DWI fusion images could replace CT-DWI in the preoperative selection of surgical options for middle ear cholesteatoma.

Synovitis mediates the association between bone marrow lesions and knee pain in osteoarthritis: data from the Foundation for the National Institute of Health (FNIH) Osteoarthritis Biomarkers Consortium.

OBJECTIVES: Although subchondral bone marrow lesions (BMLs) and synovitis have been well acknowledged as important sources of pain in knee osteoarthritis (KOA), it is unclear if synovitis plays the mediating role in the relationship between BMLs and knee pain. METHODS: We analyzed 600 subjects with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the Foundation for National Institutes of Health Osteoarthritis Biomarkers Consortium (FNIH) cohort at baseline and 24-month. BMLs and synovitis were measured according to the MRI Osteoarthritis Knee Score (MOAKS) scoring system. BMLs were scored in five subregions. A summary synovitis score of effusion and Hoffa-synovitis was calculated. Knee pain was evaluated using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). Linear regression models were applied to analyze the natural direct effect (NDE) of BMLs and synovitis with knee pain, respectively, and natural indirect effect (NIE) mediated by synovitis. RESULTS: 590 participants (58.8% females, with a mean age of 61.5) were included in the present analyses. For NDE, knee pain was cross-sectionally associated with medial femorotibial BMLs (ß = 0.23, 95% CI: 0.09, 0.38) and synovitis (ß = 0.40, 95% CI: 0.20, 0.60). Longitudinal associations retained significant [medial femorotibial BMLs (ß = 0.37, 95% CI: 0.21, 0.53); synovitis (ß = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.45, 0.99)]. In the NIE analyses, synovitis mediated the association between medial femorotibial BML and knee pain at baseline (ß = 0.051, 95% CI: 0.01, 0.09) and over 24 months (ß = 0.079, 95% CI: 0.023, 0.15), with the mediating proportion of 17.8% and 22.4%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Synovitis partially mediates the association between medial femorotibial BMLs and knee pain.

[Associations between adverse childhood experiences and adulthood substance use among lesbians].

Objective: To investigate the associations between adverse childhood experiences (ACE) and substance use behaviors among lesbians to provide a scientific basis for high-risk population identification and formulation of targeted intervention measures. Methods: Lesbians who participated in routine AIDS voluntary counseling, testing services, activities, and peer recommendations were recruited from July to December 2018, with the help of LesPark in Beijing. Convenient sampling method was used. Demographic characteristics, ACE, and substance use behaviors of subjects were investigated using an online platform powered by www.wjx.cn. Subsequently, the associations between ACE and adulthood substance use behaviors were evaluated using the logistic regression model. The SPSS 22.0 was used for statistical analysis. Results: A total of 294 lesbians were recruited in the study, 81.3% (239/294) of them were lesbians, and 18.7% (55/294) were bisexuals. Besides, 55.8% (164/294) of subjects reported they had had ACE, with proportions of lesbians experiencing abuse, neglect, and family dysfunction as 33.3% (98/294), 24.5% (72/294), and 32.7% (96/294), respectively. 55.1% (162/294) of the lesbians reported they had smoked in the past 30 days, 11.2% (33/294) reported having drug-use behavior in the past three months, and 22.8% (67/294) claimed drinking alcohol weekly. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that lesbians with ACE were at high risks to smoke (OR=1.87, 95%CI: 1.13-3.08), drink (OR=2.13, 95%CI: 1.18-3.84), and use drugs (OR=3.33, 95%CI: 1.29-8.61) in adulthood. Moreover, lesbians with childhood family dysfunction were at higher risk of smoking cigarettes (OR=2.60, 95%CI: 1.46-4.62) and drinking alcohol (OR=2.65, 95%CI: 1.44-4.87). At the same time, those with abuse experience were at higher risk of drug use (OR=3.17, 95%CI: 1.26-7.96). Conclusions: Substance use behaviors, including cigarette smoking, drinking alcohol, and drugs use, were common among lesbians. Positive associations were found between ACE and adulthood substance use behaviors.

Brain abscess caused by Salmonella Enteritidis following craniotomy for meningioma: A case report and literature review.

Salmonella intracranial infection is infrequently encountered in clinical practice. However, with prompt intervention and appropriate antimicrobial therapy, the outcome is usually favourable. A 56-year-old gentleman who worked as an organic fertilizer production supervisor underwent tumour resection for meningioma located at the left frontal temporoparietal region. The surgical procedure went smoothly, and he has prescribed dexamethasone thereafter. He was discharged well. However, a few days after that he developed a fever associated with pus discharged from the surgical wound. A computed tomography (CT) scan of the brain was performed and it revealed an abscess located at the left frontal temporoparietal subdural and subgaleal regions with adjacent cerebritis. Another craniotomy was done to drain the abscess. The bacterial culture of the pus specimen grew Salmonella Enteritidis. The bacterium was susceptible to ciprofloxacin, ceftriaxone, and amoxicillin-clavulanic acid. Clinical improvement was evident after surgical intervention with an additional 6 weeks of ceftriaxone therapy.

Genome-wide scanning for CHD1L gene in papillary thyroid carcinoma complicated with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

PURPOSE: Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) represents the most common subtype of thyroid cancer (TC). This study was set out to explore the potential effect of CHD1L on PTC and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). METHODS: We searched for T2DM susceptibility genes through the GWAS database and obtained T2DM-related differentially expressed gene from the GEO database. The expression and clinical data of TC and normal samples were collated from the TCGA database. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was subsequently applied to assess the sensitivity and specificity of the CHD1L for the diagnosis of PTC. The MCP-counter package in R language was then utilized to generate immune cell score to evaluate the relationship between CHD1L expression and immune cells. Then, we performed functional enrichment analysis of co-expressed genes and DEGs to determine significantly enriched GO terms and KEGG to predict the potential functions of CHD1L in PTC samples and T2DM adipose tissue. RESULTS: From two genes (ABCB9, CHD1L) were identified to be DEGs (p < 1 * 10-5) that exerted effects on survival (HR > 1, p < 0.05) in PTC and served as T2DM susceptibility genes. The gene expression matrix-based scoring of immunocytes suggested that PTC samples with high and low CHD1L expression presented with significant differences in the tumor microenvironment (TME). The enrichment analysis of CHD1L co-expressed genes and DEGs suggested that CHD1L was involved in multiple pathways to regulate the development of PTC. Among them, Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus infection, salmonella infection and TNF signaling pathways were highlighted as the three most relevant pathways. GSEA analysis, employed to analyze the genome dataset of PTC samples and T2DM adipose tissue presenting with high and low expression groups of CHD1L, suggests that these differential genes are related to chemokine signaling pathway, leukocyte transendothelial migration and TCELL receptor signaling pathway. CONCLUSION: CHD1L may potentially serve as an early diagnostic biomarker for PTC, and a target of immunotherapy for PTC and T2DM.

[Value of (18)F-FDG PET-CT imaging to predict epidermal growth factor receptor mutations in patients with lung squamous cell carcinoma].

Objective: To investigate the value of (18)F-fluorodeoxy glucose ((18)F-FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET-CT) in predicting the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations in patients with lung squamous cell carcinoma. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data and (18)F-FDG PET-CT imaging data of 206 patients with lung squamous cell carcinoma confirmed by pathology and underwent EGFR mutation test in the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from June 2013 to October 2018. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to quantify the predictive value of maximum standard uptake value (SUV(max)), metabolic tumor volume (MTV), total lesion glycolysis (TLG). The Chi-squared test was used to assess the difference in PET parameters. A multivariate Logistic regression analysis was performed to yield the parameters with statistic difference. Results: All of 206 patients with lung squamous cell carcinoma showed a high (18)F-FDG uptake. The median of SUV(max), MTV and TLG were 19.14, 37.69 cm(3) and 291.73, respectively. Among the 206 patients, EGFR mutations were identified in 14 cases, including 7 with exon 21 (L858R) mutation, 6 with exon 19 mutation and 1 with exon 20 mutation. ROC curve showed that the AUC of SUV(max), MTV and TLG were 0.624 (95% CI=0.454-0.794, P=0.122), 0.892 (95% CI=0.811-0.973, P<0.001) and 0.860 (95% CI=0.768-0.952, P<0.001), respectively. The median SUV(max) (19.14) was used as the cutoff points due to the small value of AUC. The cutoff point of MTV was 20.09 cm(3), the cutoff point of TLG was 211.07. Univariate analysis showed that the sex, smoking history, M stage, MTV and TLG were associated with EGFR mutations (all P<0.05). Logistic multivariate analysis showed that the sex, smoking history and TLG were the independent predictors of EGFR mutation (all P<0.05). Conclusion: TLG detected by (18)F-FDG PET/CT is an independent factor for predicting EGFR mutation in patients with lung squamous cell carcinoma, and has certain reference value for predicting EGFR mutation.

The interactions between MRI-detected osteophytes and bone marrow lesions or effusion-synovitis on knee symptom progression: an exploratory study.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the longitudinal association between MRI-detected osteophyte scores and progression of knee symptoms, and whether the association was modified in the presence of bone marrow lesions (BMLs) or effusion-synovitis. METHODS: Data from Vitamin D Effects on Osteoarthritis (VIDEO) study, a randomized, double-blinded and placebo-controlled clinical trial in symptomatic knee osteoarthritis (OA) patients, were analyzed as an exploratory study. Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) was used to assess knee symptoms. Osteophytes, BMLs and effusion-synovitis were measured using MRI. RESULTS: 334 participants with MRI information and WOMAC score (baseline and follow-up) were included in the analyses, with 24.3% of them having knee pain increased 2 years later. Statistically significant interactions were found between MRI-detected osteophytes and BMLs or effusion-synovitis on increased knee symptoms. In participants with BMLs, higher baseline scores of MRI-detected osteophytes in most compartments were significantly associated with increased total knee pain, weight-bearing pain, stiffness, and physical dysfunction, after adjustment for age, sex, body mass index, intervention and effusion-synovitis. In participants with effusion-synovitis, higher baseline scores of MRI-detected osteophytes in almost all the compartments were significantly associated with increased total knee pain, weight-bearing pain, stiffness, and physical dysfunction, after adjustment for age, sex, body mass index, intervention and BMLs. In contrast, MRI-detected osteophyte scores were generally not associated with knee symptom progression in participants without baseline BMLs or effusion-synovitis. CONCLUSIONS: MRI-detected OPs are associated with increased total knee pain, weight-bearing knee pain, stiffness and physical dysfunction in participants presenting BMLs or effusion-synovitis, but not in participants lacking BMLs or effusion-synovitis. This suggests they could interact with bone or synovial abnormalities to induce symptoms in knee OA.

The cross-sectional and longitudinal associations of dietary patterns with knee symptoms and MRI detected structure in patients with knee osteoarthritis.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the cross-sectional and longitudinal associations of dietary patterns with knee symptoms and structures in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA). METHODS: Participants with symptomatic knee OA were recruited from a randomised, placebo-controlled trial conducted in Tasmania (N = 259) and Victoria (N = 133). Diet was assessed by the Anti-Cancer Council of Victoria food frequency questionnaire. Factor analysis was used to identify dietary patterns. Knee symptoms were assessed using Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) and structures using MRI. Multivariable linear regressions were used to examine associations. RESULTS: Three dietary patterns ("high-fat", "healthy" and "mixed") were identified in whole sample. Participants with higher "healthy pattern" score had lower total WOMAC, pain, function and stiffness scores at baseline but the associations were not significant over 24 months. Three ("western", "vegetable and meat" and "mediterranean") and two ("processed" and "vegetable") patterns were identified in Tasmania and Victoria, respectively. Cross-sectionally, only "mediterranean pattern" and "vegetable pattern" scores were significantly and negatively associated with total WOMAC or function scores. Longitudinally, participants with higher "western pattern" had worsening function (ß: 0.35, 95%CI: 0.03, 0.67) and total WOMAC (ß: 0.40, 95%CI: 0.07, 0.72) scores; furthermore, "vegetable pattern" was associated with decreased WOMAC stiffness score (ß: -0.47, 95%CI: -0.93, -0.02). In contrast, dietary patterns were largely not associated with structural changes. CONCLUSION: Some healthy dietary patterns were associated with reduced joint symptoms but dietary patterns were not associated with joint structure in this sample with knee OA. Further studies are required to confirm these findings.

LncRNA FOXD2-AS1 knockdown inhibits the resistance of human osteosarcoma cells to cisplatin by inhibiting miR-143 expression.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to explore the effect of long non-coding ribonucleic acid (lncRNA) FOXD2-adjacent opposite strand RNA 1 (FOXD2-AS1) on the sensitivity of osteosarcoma cells to cisplatin and its possible underlying mechanism. Our findings might help to provide a certain reference for clinically preventing the drug resistance of osteosarcoma cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cisplatin with a certain concentration gradient was used to induce the stable acquired resistance of human osteosarcoma U2-OS cell line. Subsequently, the expression level of lncRNA FOXD2-AS1 was determined in osteosarcoma cells in non-resistance group (Control group) and Cisplatin-resistance group (Cisplatin-RES group), respectively. Next, the cell line with stable lncRNA FOXD2-AS1 knockdown was constructed in Cisplatin-RES group using small interfering RNA (siRNA). The effects of stable knockdown of lncRNA FOXD2-AS1 on the proliferation of human osteosarcoma cells and the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of cisplatin were detected by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) staining was performed to measure deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) replication level in each group of cells. The protein expression levels of apoptosis-associated genes B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) and Bcl-2 associated X protein (Bax) in each group of cells were measured via Western blotting. The migration and invasion abilities of cells in each group were determined using wound-healing assay and transwell assay. In addition, the expression of micro RNA (miR)-143 in each group of cells was detected via Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS: Compared with Control group, the expression level of lncRNA FOXD2-AS1 rose significantly in cells in Cisplatin-RES group (p<0.05). Knockdown of FOXD2-AS1 evidently decreased the IC50 of cisplatin in human osteosarcoma cells (p<0.05). According to EdU staining results, the knockdown of FOXD2-AS1 distinctly inhibited the proliferation of osteosarcoma cells (p<0.05). Western blotting results demonstrated that the knockdown of FOXD2-AS1 remarkably upregulated the expression of pro-apoptotic protein Bax and repressed that of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 in drug-resistant human osteosarcoma cells (p<0.05). Moreover, the knockdown of FOXD2-AS1 significantly weakened the migration and invasion abilities of drug-resistant human osteosarcoma cells (p<0.05). Finally, it was found that the expression level of miR-143 was distinctly elevated in drug-resistant human osteosarcoma cells after knockdown of FOXD2-AS1 (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: LncRNA FOXD2-AS1 knockdown inhibits the resistance of human osteosarcoma cells to cisplatin, promotes their apoptosis and weakens their invasion and migration abilities. The possible underlying mechanism may be related to the inhibition of miR-143 expression by lncRNA FOXD2-AS1 in drug-resistant cell lines.

Esophagectomy combined with off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting through left posterolateral incision is safe and feasible for esophageal cancer associated with coronary artery disease.

Controversy still exists as to whether surgical treatment has any impact on the long-term survival of esophageal cancer (EC) patients with coronary artery disease treated with curative esophagectomy combined with off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCABG). Therefore, the aim of this study was to introduce and assess the effect of esophagectomy combined with OPCABG on both short- and long-term outcomes. From January 2010 to January 2015, 1428 EC or esophagogastric junction cancer patients underwent surgical treatment at Henan Chest Hospital, Zhengzhou, China. The clinical data of 25 patients who underwent EC resection through a left thoracotomy following OPCABG and the perioperative characteristics and follow-up results were analyzed. The majority of the patients were male, and the EC stage was predominantly cT2N0-1M0 II. The most common pathological types were squamous cell carcinoma. The EC surgeries consisted of 15 chest anastomosis procedures and 10 cervical anastomosis procedures with aortocoronary graft implantation (mean: 2.36 grafts per patient). The mean total operative time was 330.8 ± 83.5 minutes. The median intensive care unit and hospital lengths of stay were 1.72 and 21.16 days, respectively. Resection without macroscopic residual disease (R0) was achieved in all of the patients. The most frequent complications included pulmonary infections (24%), arrhythmias (24%), pleural effusion (12%), and esophageal anastomotic leakage (8%). There were no postoperative deaths or myocardial infarctions within 30 days after the surgery. The overall 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates were 88%, 40%, and 24%, respectively, with a median survival time of 43 months. In the short-term, radical resection of EC following OPCABG is a safe and feasible treatment with low postoperative mortality rates. In the long-term, simultaneous surgery is acceptable and is associated with favorable overall and disease-free survival.