Identification of the Fosl1/AMPK/autophagy axis involved in apoptotic and inflammatory effects following spinal cord injury.

Strategies for reducing spinal cord injury (SCI) have become a research focus because an effective treatment of SCI is unavailable. The objective of this study was to explore the underlying mechanisms of Fosl1 following SCI. Based on the analysis of the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, Fosl1 was found to be highly enhanced in SCI. This result was confirmed in our animal model, and Fosl1 was found to be obviously expressed in neurons. Next, we treated PC-12 cells with H2O2 to mimic injured neurons and further verified that Fosl1 silencing upregulated AMPK expression, promoted autophagy and inhibited inflammation and apoptosis. Subsequently, a special inhibitor of AMPK was used to examine the role of AMPK, and we learned that the inhibition of AMPK suppressed autophagy and promoted inflammation and apoptosis following Fosl1 silencing. These changes completely reversed the beneficial effects of Fosl1 silencing on injured PC-12 cells. Moreover, treatment with an AMPK activator resulted in effects that were opposite those of the inhibitor. Finally, rats were injected intrathecally with si-Fosl1 to detect its role in vivo. The results showed that si-Fosl1 improved neurological function and decreased apoptosis and inflammation at 14 d postoperation, and the activator further benefited the rats of si-Fosl1 treatment. In conclusion, Fosl1 inhibits autophagy and promotes inflammation and apoptosis through the AMPK signaling pathway following SCI in vivo and in vitro.

Conversion to resectability using transcatheter arterial chemoembolization alternating with mFOLFOX6 in patients with colorectal liver metastases.

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer is one of the most common malignancies in the world, and about 25% of colorectal cancer patients present with colorectal cancer liver metastases (CRCLM) even at new diagnosis. The study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) alternating with mFOLFOX6 in Chinese patients with unresectable CRCLM. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, by combining the systemic and regional treatment, the resectability rate, overall survival, and progression-free survival were measured with addition of TACE. Included patients had Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status 0-2. Sixty-two patients received mFOLFOX6 plus one TACE after 2 weeks of chemotherapy; after 2 weeks, the next periodical treatment repeated. Patients received operation when the liver metastases were converted to resectability or severe tumor-associated complications occurred. RESULTS: We found that 28 patients (45.2%) patients received operation after the treatment of TACE combined with systemic chemotherapy. The median time from initial treatment to the operation was 6 months. The median follow-up period was 41 months in all the patients. The 3-year survival rate of resected patients and unresected patients was 54% and 17%, respectively. Post-TACE syndrome was the major adverse reaction (81%). Other adverse reactions were neutropenia, nausea, and neurotoxicity. No patient died of the adverse reactions. The resection rate was related to hepatic segments and vasculature involvement. CONCLUSION: Taken together, TACE alternating with mFOLFOX6 has been proved to be safe and effective for CRCLM treatment to improve resection rate and prolong the survival time.

[Principles in the design of surface temperature measurement method via radiation approach].

The fundamental issues in the design of surface temperature measurement method via radiation approach are discussed in this article, such as the spectral and directional complicacy of thermal radiation, the optical design, and the electrocircuit design. A generalized equation for the analysis of temperature measurement method via radiation approach is proposed. The method of absolute value and relative value is compared. Calibration should be made in the absolute value method but not in the relative value method. The former method is not suitable for the measurement of temperature fields while the latter method is.