Artemdubosides A-G, seven unusual polyacetylenes from Artemisia dubia var. subdigitata and their antihepatoma activity.

Artemdubosides A-E (1-5), the first examples of natural polyacetylenes substituted by 6'-O-crotonyl ß-glucopyranoside, and artemdubosides F-G (6-7) that were two unusual polyacetylenes featuring a 6'-O-acetyl ß-glucopyranoside moiety, were isolated from Artemisia dubia var. subdigitata. Their structures were elucidated based on the spectral data including HRESIMS, UV, IR, 1D and 2D NMR, and ECD calculations. Antihepatoma assay suggested that compound 1 exhibited activity against HepG2, Huh7, and SK-Hep-1 cells with inhibitory ratios of 77.1%, 90.8%, and 73.1% at 200.0 µM, respectively.

Limited English Proficiency Is Not Associated With Poor Postoperative Outcomes or Follow-Up Rates in Patients Undergoing Breast Reduction Mammoplasty - A Single Institution Retrospective Cohort Study.

INTRODUCTION: Limited English Proficiency (LEP) status has been associated with worse patient outcomes on a variety of metrics. METHODS: A retrospective review of all bilateral breast reduction mammoplasty patients at our institution between 2015 and 2019 was performed. Data collected include patient demographics, language status, interpreter usage, complications, and follow-up clinic/emergency department visits. Patients were grouped into high and low follow-up cohorts by median follow-up. Bivariate testing and regression modeling were used for analysis. RESULTS: A total of 1023 patients were included. Average age and body mass index (BMI) were 37.7 years and 31.7 kg/m2. All LEP (21%) patients used interpreters. There were 590 individuals in the low follow-up and 433 in the high follow-up group. Those in low follow-up were younger, with lower BMI, and were more likely to use Medicaid. Prevalence of diabetes and postoperative emergency department visits were higher in the high follow-up cohort. There were no significant differences in race/ethnicity, smoking status, and interpreter use between groups. Poisson modeling demonstrated that presence of complications is associated with a 0.435 increase in the number of clinic visits and a 1-y increase in age is associated with a 0.006 increase (P < 0.001). Interpreter use was not significantly associated with postoperative clinic visits. Multivariable regression modeling demonstrated BMI and diabetes to be significantly associated with incidence of any complication (odds ratio: 1.08 & 2.234; P < 0.001 &P = 0.01, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: LEP status was not associated with worse postoperative outcomes or follow-up length in patients undergoing breast reduction mammoplasty. This may be due to interpreter use and effective patient education.

PE (0:0/14:0), an endogenous metabolite of the gut microbiota, exerts protective effects against sepsis-induced intestinal injury by modulating the AHR/CYP1A1 pathway.

Sepsis is known to cause damage to the intestinal mucosa, leading to bacterial translocation, and exacerbation of both local and remote organ impairments. In the present study, fecal samples were collected from both septic and healthy individuals. Analysis through 16s rRNA sequencing of the fecal microbiota revealed that sepsis disrupts the balance of the gut microbial community. Recent research has highlighted the association of lipid metabolism with disease. By analyzing the fecal metabolome, four lipid metabolites that showed significant differences between the two groups were identified: PE (O-16:0/0:0), PE (17:0/0:0), PE (0:0/14:0), and PE (12:0/20:5 (5Z, 8Z, 11Z, 14Z, 17Z)). Notably, the serum levels of PE (0:0/14:0) were higher in the healthy group. Subsequent in vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrated the protective effects of this compound against sepsis-induced intestinal barrier damage. Label-free proteomic analysis showed significant differences in the expression levels of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR), a protein implicated in sepsis pathogenesis, between the LPS-Caco-2 and LPS-Caco-2 + PE (0:0/14:0) groups. Further analysis, with the help of Discovery Studio 3.5 software and co-immunoprecipitation assays, confirmed the direct interaction between AHR and PE (0:0/14:0). In the cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) model, treatment with PE (0:0 /14:0) was found to up-regulate the expression of tight junction proteins through the AHR/Cytochrome P450, family 1, subfamily A, and polypeptide 1 (CYP1A1) pathway. This highlights the potential therapeutic use of PE (0:0/14:0) in addressing sepsis-induced intestinal barrier damage.

Therapy of replenishing and regulating for manic episode in bipolar disorder: study protocol for a prospective, double-blind, randomized controlled trial.

Bipolar disorder (BD) is a chronic and recurrent disorder characterized by biphasic mood episodes of mania or hypomania and depression. It affects more than 1% of the global population and is a leading cause of disability in young people. Currently available treatments for BD are still fairly limited in terms of efficacy, with high rates of non-adherence, non-response, and undesirable side effects. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has a long history and rich experience in stabilizing mania and improving quality of life. Aiming at rebalancing and in BD, therapy of replenishing and regulating (RYRY therapy) has been in clinical use for years in China. The present prospective, double-blind, randomized controlled trial is designed to investigate the efficacy and safety of RYRY therapy for bipolar mania and its possible mechanism from the point of regulating gut microbiota and anti-inflammation. A total of 60 eligible participants will be recruited from Beijing Anding Hospital. They will be randomized to either the study group or the control group in a ratio of 1∶1. Participants allocated to the study group will receive RYRY granule, while placebo granule will be applied in the control group. Participants in both groups will be prescribed conventional therapy for manic episode in BD. Four scheduled visits will be conducted over 4 weeks. Outcome measurements include Young Mania Rating Scale, TCM Symptom Pattern Rating Scale, Treatment Emergent Symptom Scale, levels of C-reactive protein, interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α and the gut microbial community profile of stool samples. Safety outcomes and adverse events will also be recorded. In this study, we set a number of scientific and objective assessments to evaluate the efficacy of RYRY therapy and study into its possible mechanism, hopefully offering clinicians an alternative approach to BD.

Predictive Value of 18 F-FDG PET/MRI for Pleural Invasion in Solid and Subsolid Lung Adenocarcinomas Smaller Than 3 cm.

BACKGROUND: Positron emission tomography (PET)/MRI combines the characteristics of metabolism imaging and high soft tissue resolution, and could provide high diagnostic efficacy for assessment of pleural invasion (PI) of lung cancer. PURPOSE: To investigate the application of 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET/MRI for predicting PI of lung cancer with the maximum diameter ≤3 cm. STUDY TYPE: Prospective. POPULATION: A total of 44 patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), age from 39 to 79 years old, including 19 (56.82%) females. FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCE: A 3-T, hybrid PET/MRI including axial fast spin echo respiratory-triggered T2 fat-suppressed imaging (T2FS) and echo planar imaging diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI). ASSESSMENT: The maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) of all lesions was measured on PET images. Localized effusion outside the contact between the nodules and the pleura on T2FS and signal at the contact between the nodules and the pleura on DWI were evaluated by experienced physicians through visual assessment of the MRI sequences. STATISTICAL TESTS: Three models (models 1-3) were developed, incorporating CT, CT and PET, PET and MRI features, and Lasso regression was used in feature selection. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve for PI diagnosis was visualized for each model, and the area under the curve (AUC) was calculated. The DeLong test was used to compare the different AUCs. A P value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The AUC of models 1-3 was 0.762, 0.829, and 0.915, respectively. The DeLong test showed a statistically significant difference between the AUCs of model 1 vs. model 3, while the differences between the AUCs of model 1 vs. model 2 (P = 0.253) and model 2 vs. model 3 (P = 0.075) were not statistically significant. DATA CONCLUSION: 18 F-FDG PET/MRI might show high predictive value for lung adenocarcinoma smaller than 3 cm with PI. EVIDENCE LEVEL: 1 TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 2.

Dose atrophy of vastus medialis obliquus and vastus lateralis exist in patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Whether vastus medialis obliquus atrophy exists in patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome and whether the amount of atrophy differs between the vastus medialis obliquus and vastus lateralis muscles remain unknown. MATERIALS: From June 2016 to March 2019, 61 patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome were retrospectively included in the study group, and an age-, sex-, and body mass index-matched cohort of 61 patients with normal knees was randomly selected as the control group. All enrolled subjects had undergone CT scans in the supine position. The cross-sectional areas of the vastus medialis obliquus and the vastus lateralis muscle in the sections 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 mm above the upper pole of the patella were measured, and the vastus medialis obliquus/vastus lateralis muscle area ratio was evaluated. RESULTS: In the study group, the vastus medialis obliquus areas and the vastus lateralis muscle areas in the sections that were 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 mm above the upper pole of the patella were significantly smaller than the respective areas in the control group (P < 0.05). The vastus medialis obliquus/vastus lateralis muscle area ratio was significantly smaller at the upper pole of the patella (the section 0 mm above the upper pole of the patella) than the corresponding ratio in the control group (P < 0.05). No significant difference was noted between the two groups in the sections 5, 10, 15, and 20 mm above the upper pole of the patella (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: In patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome, vastus medialis obliquus and vastus lateralis muscle atrophy existed in sections 0-20 mm above the upper pole of the patella, compared with normal controls, and atrophy of the vastus medialis obliquus was more evident than that of the vastus lateralis muscle at the upper pole of the patella. These findings support the rationale for the use of general quadriceps exercise combined with vastus medialis obliquus strengthening exercise as part of the rehabilitation programme for the patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome.

Assessment of Patellar Morphology in Trochlear Dysplasia on Computed Tomography Scans.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the patellar morphology of trochlear dysplasia and normal knees in different genders and in different severities of trochlear dysplasia on CT scans. METHODS: A total of 75 patients with trochlear dysplasia (110 knees) treated at the Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University from December 2013 to December 2018 were included in an experimental group, and an age-matched and sex-matched cohort of 46 patients with normal trochlear shape (61 knees) were randomly selected into a control group. The experimental group was divided into a female experimental group (Group FE, 47 patients, 72 knees) and a male experimental group (Group ME, 28 patients, 38 knees); the control group was divided into a female control group (Group FC, 31 knees, 24 female patients) and a male control group (Group MC, 30 knees, 22 male patients). Furthermore, according to the severity of trochlear dysplasia, Group FE was divided into a female low-grade dysplasia group (Group FL, 20 knees) and a female high-grade dysplasia group (Group FH, 52 knees); Group ME was divided into a male low-grade dysplasia group (Group ML, 16 knees) and a male high-grade dysplasia group (Group MH, 22 knees). All participants had undergone CT scans in the supine position; the patellar width and thickness, the lateral patellar facet angle, the Wiberg angle, and the Wiberg index were measured and compared. RESULTS: In trochlear dysplasia knees, the mean patellar width and thickness and the lateral patellar facet angle were significantly smaller; the mean Wiberg index was significantly larger than in normal knees, regardless of gender (P < 0.05); and there was no statistically significant difference in the mean Wiberg angle (P > 0.05). In the female groups, the mean patellar width and thickness and the Wiberg angle were significantly smaller; the mean lateral patellar facet angle was significantly larger than those in the male groups (P < 0.05); and there was no significant difference in the mean Wiberg index (P > 0.05). In the low-grade dysplasia group, the mean Wiberg index was smaller than that in the high-grade dysplasia group (P < 0.05), regardless of gender; however, there was no significant difference in the mean patellar width and thickness, the lateral patellar facet angle, and the Wiberg angle in low-grade and high-grade dysplasia (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: On CT scans, the patella in trochlear dysplasia had a smaller width, a thinner thickness, a lengthened lateral facet, and a more flattened articular facet. In addition, the patellar articular facet was more prominent in female patients. With the severity of trochlear dysplasia increased, the lateral patellar facet became longer. In addition, the abnormal stress distribution on the patella influenced the patellar morphology in trochlear dysaplasia.

Increased health threats from land use change caused by anthropogenic activity in an endemic fluorosis and arsenicosis area.

Urbanization is conducive to promoting social development and improving living standards. However, the changing land use attributed to urbanization has placed both the environment and humans at risk. Based on the long-term monitoring and the land use change during 2010-2017, we investigated the exposure of fluoride (F) and arsenic (As) in groundwater. We analyzed the temporal and spatial variation of F and As from different land use changes. The study assessed health risk for children by calculating carcinogenic risk and non-carcinogenic risk. Furthermore, we mapped the distribution pattern of F and As using GIS. For the 768 water samples collected from 2010 to 2017, F concentrations ranged between 0.10 and 5.70 mg L-1 (M = 0.68 ± 0.02 mg L-1), As concentrations ranged between 0.50 and 71.50 µg L-1 (M = 4.28 ± 0.28 µg L-1). A concerning result showed that 6.77% of F concentrations larger than 1.5  mg L-1 and 11.46% of As concentrations larger than 10 µg L-1 based on the recommendation by WHO, respectively. Results proved that land use change caused by human activity increased groundwater pollution and placed human health at risk. High F and As risk were found in southern Taiyuan City. In particular, the groundwater of industrial land suffered from more severe pollution, especially at the frontier of urban and suburban areas in the southern part of Taiyuan City. Land use change attributed to industrial land resulted in major increases in the F and As concentrations in groundwater across 2010-2017. Both carcinogenic risk and non-carcinogenic risk in 2016-2017 were higher than that in 2010-2015. Rational land use planning, strict groundwater protection policies and the regular monitoring of pollution levels are necessary in order to prevent the adverse health of residents.

Health risk in children to fluoride exposure in a typical endemic fluorosis area on Loess Plateau, north China, in the last decade.

Excessive and inadequate intake of fluoride may cause adverse effects in children, such as dental caries and dental fluorosis. This study reports the results of monitoring fluoride concentrations in drinking water from an endemic fluorosis region during the ten-year period (2008 through 2017). The fluoride concentration had a range of 0.03-9.42 mg L-1 (mean = 0.55 ± 0.01 mg L-1). Approximately 10%, 1.3% and 0.06% children are at risk for dental decay, dental fluorosis and skeletal fluorosis, respectively. Probabilistic risks for children were assessed and the fluoride endemic areas were marked by GIS mapping system. On several water consumption points, the hazard quotient (HQ) values for children were higher than 1, indicating potential non-cancer health risks due to fluoride exposure. The results of this study will help governmental agencies to develop better policies for protecting children from exposure to fluoride.

Imaging Features of the Whole Uterus Volume CT Perfusion and Influence Factors of Blood Supply: A Primary Study in Patients with Cervical Squamous Carcinoma.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: To explore the imaging features of whole uterus volume CT perfusion (vCTP) and the influence factors of blood supply in cervical squamous carcinoma (CSC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: vCTP was performed on a 640-slice computed tomography system in 43 patients with CSC diagnosed by biopsy, and 24 cases of them underwent magnetic resonance imaging. The size of the tumor was measured on vCTP and magnetic resonance (MR) images. Perfusion parameters, including arterial blood flow (AF), blood volume, and permeability surface (PS), were measured by two radiologists, using interclass correlation coefficient to evaluate the interobserver reliability. The difference of tumor size and perfusion data was analyzed by paired t test and rank sum test. The correlation of perfusion parameters with some factors was analyzed by Pearson or Spearman correlation analysis. RESULTS: Tumor sizes were not significantly different between vCTP and MR images. The interclass correlation coefficient of each parameter was 0.818-0.945. The AF value of CSC was significantly higher than normal uterine body, and the blood volume and PS values of CSC were not statistically different compared with those of normal uterine body. There was no significant difference in AF value of CSC among different FIGO stages and pathological grades. The AF and PS values of CSC were negatively correlated with the age of the patients. CONCLUSION: The vCTP could accurately shows the size of the CSC with use of MR as the reference standard, and its perfusion parameters have good measurement stability; the CSC was hypervascular, but this trend was less pronounced in older women.

[Design of an interactive management system between doctors and echinococcosis patients in Sichuan Province].

OBJECTIVE: To design and construct a patient-doctor interaction system for echinococcosis treatment. METHODS: The in-depth interview and brainstorming method were used to determine the main functional modules of the system based on the server/client model. RESULTS: An echinococcosis patient-doctor interaction system was successfully constructed in Sichuan Province and got through preliminary debugging. The system contained four functions, namely quick consultation, treatment supervision, health education, and other auxiliary functions. CONCLUSIONS: The patient-doctor interaction system of echinococcosis treatment is hopeful to enhance the management effectiveness on echinococcosis patients, and to provide more convenient and quick medical consultation and health information for patients.

Analysis of risk factors for venous thromboembolism in patients after thoracic surgery: A clinical study of 167 cases.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to identify risk factors of venous thromboembolism in the patients undergoing thoracic surgery. METHODS: A total of 167 patients (107 males, 60 females; mean age 56.7±16.8 years; range 16 to 81 years) who underwent thoracic surgery between September 2015 and December 2016 were included in this study. D-dimer and C-reactive protein values were analyzed and clinical data recorded. The patients received color Doppler ultrasound and thoracic computed tomography before and after surgery. The risk factors for venous thromboembolism were analyzed. RESULTS: Of the patients, 57 (34.1%) developed venous thromboembolism after thoracic surgery, among whom two patients developed pulmonary embolism and another 55 developed deep vein thrombosis. Age, D-dimer, operation time, and body mass index of venous thromboembolism patients were significantly higher than non-venous thromboembolism patients. There was no significant difference in the C-reactive protein values between the two patient groups. Age, smoking history, operation time, and body mass index were found to be the risk factors of venous thromboembolism. There was a significant difference in the incidence of venous thromboembolism among different surgeries. The patients who underwent esophagectomy had the highest incidence of thrombosis. CONCLUSION: Age, smoking history, operation time and body mass index are independent risk factors for venous thromboembolism. A special attention should be given to the patients undergoing esophagectomy to prevent the development of venous thromboembolism.

Low concentration arsenite activated JAK2/STAT3 signal and increased proliferative factor expressions in SV-HUC-1cells after short and long time treatment.

Epidemiological studies have indicated that ingestion of inorganic arsenic resulted in increased risks of bladder cancer and chronic hyperproliferation could play a direct role in the development of cancer. This study examined the effects of arsenite on JAK2/STAT3 pathway and expressions of proliferation and anti-apoptosis factors. The results showed that long term exposure to low doses arsenite enhanced human uroepithelial cells (SV-HUC-1 cells) proliferation and BrdU positive rate was significant increased. mRNA and protein expressions of proliferation factors, such as cyclin D1, COX-2, and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), increased in chronically exposed arsenite SV-HUC-1 cells with exposure time. Furthermore, JAK2/STAT3 signal pathway was activated following exposure to arsenite in SV-HUC-1 cells. Knockdown of STAT3 reduced expressions of cyclin D1, COX-2, PCNA, and BCL2 induced by arsenite. In conclusion, arsenic induced proliferation in human uroepithelial cells after short and long term exposure to arsenite and JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway might be pivotal in arsenite-induced proliferation by regulating cyclin D1, COX-2, PCNA, and BCL2.

[Clinical features of imported schistosomiasis mansoni in Beijing City：a report of 6 cases].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical features of 6 patients with imported schistosomiasis mansoni, including the epidemic history, clinical manifestations, laboratory tests and therapeutic effect, so as to provide references for improving the levels of diagnosis and treatment of physicians. METHODS: The clinical data of 6 patients with imported schistosomiasis mansoni from January 2009 to July 2016 were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: All the 6 imported patients with schistosomiasis mansoni had a clear history of cercarial infested water exposure. The main manifestations were continuous fever and eosinophilia. Three (50%) patients were accompanied with diarrhea. Anti-Schistosoma japonicum IgG antibody were cross positive in 2 (33.3%) patients, while live eggs of S. mansoni were explored in intestinal mucosa specimens of all the patients. CD3+CD8+ T cell ratio was decreased significantly but B cell ratio was elevated in all the patients, and the main immunoglobulin of the patients was IgG. Hydroperitoneum and splenomegaly signs were discovered by abdominal ultrasonography in 16.6% (1/6) of the patients. Multiple liver nodules and wall thickening of rectum and sigmoid colon were revealed by pelvic MR scan in 16.6% (1/6) of the patients. Colitis was found in all the patients, and 66.6% (4/6) of the patients were combined with multiple colonic ulcers by the electronic colonoscopy examination. Chronic inflammation and eosinophil infiltration were found in all the patients by rectum pathology. All 6 patients were cured with chemotherapy named praziquantel. CONCLUSIONS: Comprehensive analysis of clinical data including epidemiological history, specific manifestations, laboratory tests and intestinal mucosa pathology may be benefit of the management of schistosomiasis mansoni.

[Calcitonin gene-related peptide-induced osteogenic differentiation of mouse bone marrow stromal cells through Hippo pathway in vitro].

OBJECTIVE: Previous studies have clarified that calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) can promote the biologi- cal activity of osteoblasts. To further reveal the role of CGRP in bone repair, we studied its influence on osteogenic differentia- tion of mouse bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) and initially explored the effect of the Hippo signaling pathway with this process. METHODS: BMSCs were induced to osteogenic differentiate osteoblasts by different concentrations of CGRP for a screening of the optimal concentration. CGRP was added in BMSCs, then the activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and the number of mineralized nodules were examined by specific ALP kits after 48 hours and alizarin red staining fluid after 7 days, respectively. The protein expression of p-Mst1/2 was measured by Western blot. Verteporfin was used to block the downstream Yap signaling. The mRNA expression of collagen type I (Col I) and runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) were detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Compared to the blank group, different concentrations of CGRP (10⁻9, 10⁻8, 10⁻7 mol · L⁻¹), especially 10⁻8 mol · L⁻¹, significantly increased the ALP activity of BMSCs (P < 0.05). Alizarin red staining also showed more mineralized nodules in 10⁻8 mol · L⁻¹ group. The expression of p-Mst1/2 increased in the CGRP group (P < 0.05). Verteporfin treatment effectively decreased the mRNA expression of Runx2 and Col I (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The Hippo signaling pathway plays a role in CGRP-induced osteogenic differentiation in mouse BMSCs.

[Protective effect of calcitonin gene-related peptide against oxidative damage in MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts].

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to observe the protective effect of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), as well as its potential mechanism, against oxidative damage in MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts. METHODS: 1) MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts were treated with different hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) concentrations (10⁻¹, 10⁻², 10⁻³, 10⁻4, and 10⁻5 mol·L⁻¹) for 12, 24, 36, and 48 h to build an oxidative damage model, to determine cell proliferation activity in each group by using CCK-8 assay, and to determine the optimal modeling concentration. MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts were pretreated for 1 h with different CGRP concentrations (10⁻6, 10⁻7, 10⁻8, 10⁻9, and 10⁻¹° mol·L⁻¹) followed by treatment with H2O2 (10⁻4 mol·L⁻¹). After 12, 24, 36, and 48 h, the CGRP expression and activity of osteoblasts were detected using the CCK-8 method to determine the optimal CGRP concentration that provides the best protective effect against oxidative damage. 2) Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, reactive oxygen species (ROS) content, and the levels of the inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1ß, and IL-6 of the groups treated with CGRP, H2O2, CGRP+H2O2 were determined. RESULTS: 1) Compared with the control group, treatment with 10⁻4 mol·L⁻¹ H2O2 significantly started to inhibite the proliferation of osteoblasts (P<0.01) in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Compared with 10⁻4 mol·L⁻¹ H2O2 group, pretreatment with 10⁻8 mol·L⁻¹ CGRP significantly increased the proliferation of osteoblasts (P<0.01). 2) Compared with H2O2 group, CGRP+H2O2 group significantly increased the SOD activity (P<0.01), ROS content significantly decreased (P<0.01), TNF-α, IL-1ß, and IL-6 secretion significantly decreased (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: H2O2 can cause oxidative damage to MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts, whereas CGRP exerts protective effect against oxidative damage in MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts.

Pulmonary Extranodal Natural Killer/T-Cell Lymphoma (Nasal Type): A Case Report and Radiological Image Review.

An 83-year-old woman presented with intermittent fever for 2 weeks. Chest radiography and computed tomography images showed multiple nodules and masses scattered in both lung fields. Tissue samples obtained by computed tomography-guided needle biopsy revealed extranodal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma (ENKL). The lung is the major site of involvement and the skin may be the primary site. The radiological imaging of this case is different from the cases reported before. Besides, we reviewed the medical records of our hospital and searched the Pubmed database and found 12 cases altogether (include the case presented), which were diagnosed with pulmonary ENKL, and the features of chest images were studied. To our knowledge, this is the first time that the chest imaging features of pulmonary ENKL were reviewed. We conclude that if the radiographic manifestations are multiple patchy consolidations or multiple nodules and masses in both lungs with or without bilateral pleural effusions, the diagnostic considerations should include ENKL.

Evolution of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus GP5 and GP3 genes under swIFN-ß immune pressure and interferon regulatory factor-3 activation suppressed by GP5.

In this study, a highly pathogenic porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (HP-PRRSV) strain, PRRSV GD07 was continuously propagated in MARC-145 cell cultures primed with swIFN-ß for 50 passages to develop the PRRSV GDßfn strains. And a control strain PRRSV GDfn was passaged without swIFN-ß. The sequencing analysis indicated that under swIFN-ß immune pressure, molecular variation of PRRSV GP5 was accelerated in gene (NS/S>2.50), and the acceleration of GP3 was not significant (NS/S<2.50). swIFN-ß mRNA level induced by Poly(I:C) is lower in cells primed with PRRSV GDßfn than in cells without PRRSV GDfn, although both of them are much less than the control group. Effect of GP5 on IRF3 was analyzed by SDS-PAGE and western-blot. Our results indicated that GP5 protein prevents IRF3 phosphorylation. Therefore, we conclude that swIFN can promote viral mutation in GP5, and, in turn GP5 inhibits IRF3 activation to escape from swIFN-ß.

Data-driven Temporal Prediction of Surgical Site Infection.

Analysis of data from Electronic Health Records (EHR) presents unique challenges, in particular regarding nonuniform temporal resolution of longitudinal variables. A considerable amount of patient information is available in the EHR - including blood tests that are performed routinely during inpatient follow-up. These data are useful for the design of advanced machine learning-based methods and prediction models. Using a matched cohort of patients undergoing gastrointestinal surgery (101 cases and 904 controls), we built a prediction model for post-operative surgical site infections (SSIs) using Gaussian process (GP) regression, time warping and imputation methods to manage the sparsity of the data source, and support vector machines for classification. For most blood tests, wider confidence intervals after imputation were obtained in patients with SSI. Predictive performance with individual blood tests was maintained or improved by joint model prediction, and non-linear classifiers performed consistently better than linear models.