A randomized study on the effect of sequential acupoint stimulation on pulmonary function of patients with spontaneous pneumothorax during VATS perioperative period.

This study aims to explore the effect of sequential acupoint stimulation on the postoperative pulmonary function of patients with spontaneous pneumothorax who underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS).Using a random number table, the patients were randomly divided into 2 groups: routine nursing group and sequential acupoint stimulation group. Patients in the routine nursing group received standard nursing care of thoracic surgery, while patients in the acupoint group received sequential acupoint stimulation on Shenshu (BL23), Gaohuang (BL43), Feishu (BL13), and Tiantu (CV22). Then, the maximal ventilatory volume (MVV), oxygen saturation (SpO2), postoperative drainage volume, postoperative drainage time, postoperative hospitalization days, and procalcitonin (PCT) were observed on the first, third, fifth and 30th day after VATS operation.On the fifth day after spontaneous pneumothorax was treated with VATS, MVV, and SpO2 of the sequential acupoint stimulation group were significantly higher than those of the routine nursing group (P < .05). On both the third day and fifth day after VATS, PCT of the sequential acupoint stimulation group was significantly lower than that of the routine nursing group (P < .01). Furthermore, the difference in postoperative drainage volume between the 2 groups was not statistically significant (P > .05), while chest tube drainage time (P < .01) and postoperative hospitalization days (P < .05) of the sequential acupoint stimulation group were significantly lower than those of the routine nursing group.In spontaneous pneumothorax patients who underwent VATS, sequential acupoint stimulation nursing was significantly more effective than routine postoperative nursing in promoting postoperative recovery of lung function, alleviating inflammatory response and shortening hospitalization days.

Influence of Cellulose Nanoparticles on Rheological Behavior of Oil Well Cement-Water Slurries.

Performance of hardened oil well cement (OWC) is largely determined by the rheological properties of the cement slurries. This work was carried out to investigate the effect of water- to-cement ratio (WCR) and cellulose nanoparticles (CNPs), including cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) and cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs), on rheology performance of OWC-based slurries using a Couette rotational viscometer coupled with rheological models. The yield stress and viscosity of neat OWC slurries had a decreasing trend with the increase of WCRs. The suspension became increased unstable with the increase of WCRs. The properties of CNPs, including rheological behaviors, surface properties and morphology, determine the rheological performance of CNP-OWC slurries. In comparison with CNC-OWC slurries, the gel strength, yield stress and viscosity of CNF-OWC slurries were higher as CNFs were more likely to form an entangled network. The gel strength, yield stress and viscosity of CNP-OWC slurries increased with reduced CNF size through regrinding and the proportion of CNFs in the mixture of CNFs and CNCs, respectively.

MiR-770 inhibits tumorigenesis and EMT by targeting JMJD6 and regulating WNT/ß-catenin pathway in non-small cell lung cancer.

AIMS: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) plays important role in development and disease, especially in cancer including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the role of miR-770 in NSCLC remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to study the function and mechanism of miR-770 in tumorigenesis of NSCLC. MAIN METHODS: RT-qPCR was used to measure the expression levels of miR-770 in NSCLC tissues and cells. MTT assay, colony formation assay, flow cytometric analysis and transwell migration and invasion assays were performed to investigate the role of miR-770 in NSCLC cells. Bioinformatics and luciferase reporter analyses were used to demonstrate that whether the Jumonji domain-containing 6 (JMJD6) as a direct target of miR-770. The function of JMJD6 in NSCLC was also investigated. Finally, in vivo animal experiment was used to study whether miR-770 was capable of inhibiting tumor growth by inhibiting JMJD6. KEY FINDINGS: We first showed that miR-770 was downregulated in NSCLC tissues and cell lines, and the low expression of miR-770 was correlated with poor patient survival in NSCLC patients. miR-770 acted on a tumor suppressor by binding to the 3'UTR of JMJD6 and downregulated its expression in NSCLC cells. This study also demonstrated that JMJD6 played as an oncogene in NSCLC cells. miR-770 overexpression was capable of inhibiting NSCLC tumor growth by inhibiting JMJD6 and its downstream WNT/ß-catenin pathway both in vitro and in vivo. SIGNIFICANCE: The present study indicated that miR-770 functioned as a tumor suppressor and it might be a potential biomarker and therapeutic target in NSCLC.

Thermoresponsive dendronized polyprolines via the "grafting to" route.

The first and second generations of dendronized polyprolines P3G1, P3G2, and P4G1 are prepared via the "grafting to" route, and their thermoresponsive properties and helical conformations investigated. High molar masses of polyproline main chains carrying azido groups are achieved first by polycondensation of peptide precursors through activated ester strategy. Oligoethylene glycol dendrons cored with alkyne are then attached onto the main chains through click reaction. These polymers are found to be thermoresponsive. Circular dichroism spectroscopy investigation indicates, in contrast to P3G2 and P4G1 which adopt the expected PPII conformation in aqueous conditions, P3G1 prefers to adopt PPI helical conformation, and this conformation is stable within the measured time period and temperature range.

Stimuli-responsive zwitterionic block copolypeptides: poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-block-poly(lysine-co-glutamic acid).

Synthesis of novel zwitterionic block copolypeptides, poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-block-poly(L-glutamic acid-co-L-lysine) [PNiPAM(n)(PLG(x)-co-PLLys(y))m , where n is the number-average degree of polymerization (DP(n)) of PNiPAM block, x and y are the mole fraction of glutamic acid and lysine residues, respectively, and m is the total DP(n) of the peptide block], and their stimuli-responsiveness to temperature and pH variation in aqueous solutions are described. Initiated with the amino-terminated poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNiPAM(n)-NH2), ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of a mixture of gamma-benzyl-L-glutamate N-carboxyanhydride (BLG-NCA), and Boc-L-lysine N-carboxyanhydride (BLLys-NCA) afforded the block copolypeptides PNiPAM(n)(PBLG(x)-co-PBLLys(y))m, with a poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) block together with a random copolypeptide block, which was then deprotected with HBr/trifluoroacetic acid into the double hydrophilic block copolypeptides, PNiPAM(n)(PLG(x)-co-PLLys(y))m. Their block ratios and lengths, as well as the amino acid residue ratios in the random copolypeptide block are varied (n = 360, x = 0.4-0.5, y = 0.4-0.6, and m = 220-252). The secondary structures of the copolypeptides in aqueous solution at different pH conditions were examined. Phase transitions in aqueous solutions induced by both pH and temperature variation were investigated by (1)H NMR spectroscopy. The transitions induced by temperature were also explored by turbidity measurements using UV/vis spectroscopy for their lower critical aggregation temperature (LCAT) determination. Furthermore, these aggregation processes were followed by dynamic light scattering measurements.

Synthesis and characterization of thermo- and pH-responsive double-hydrophilic diblock copolypeptides.

Synthesis of novel double-hydrophilic diblock copolypeptides (BCPs), poly(l-glutamic acid)-block-poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PLGnPNm), and their thermoresponsive properties in aqueous solutions at different pH values are described. The diblock copolypeptides were synthesized by a combination of ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of gamma-benzyl-l-glutamate N-carboxyanhydrides (BLG-NCA) and reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization of N-isopropylacrylamide (NiPAM). A new class of RAFT agents (CTA-2 and CTA-3) with amino-functional groups was designed for this purpose. Two different strategies, i.e., macrochain transfer agent (CTA) and macroinitiator routes, were utilized and compared on the control of the chemical structures of the resulting BCPs. Their block ratios and lengths are broadly varied (n = 21-600 and m =180-442). Their thermally switchable aggregation behaviors in aqueous solutions were investigated at the microscopic level by 1H NMR spectroscopy and at the macroscopic level by turbidity measurements using UV/vis spectroscopy. The latter was also utilized for their lower critical aggregation temperature (LCAT) determination. The effects of block lengths and ratios as well as solution pH values on the collapse of NiPAM chain and aggregation process of BCPs were examined. This aggregation process was also followed by dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurements, and the thermally induced aggregate structures were investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM).

[Application of SELDI-TOF MS technology analyzing serum protein profiling for distinguishing laryngeal carcinoma from ordinary people].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the spectrometric serum protein profiling of laryngeal carcinoma and healthy controls by surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (SELDI-TOF-MS), to establish serum marker pattern for the diagnosis of laryngeal carcinoma. METHOD: The serum samples of 46 cases of laryngeal carcinoma, 51 cases of healthy controls on WCX2 proteinchip, were collected. the spectrometric protein profiling was defected by SELDI-TOF-MS, the data were analyzed by Biomarker Patterns Software provided by Ciphergen Corp. A primary diagnosis model of laryngeal carcinoma was set up. This model was further evaluated by blind test with other l2 cases patients and 13 cases healthy controls. RESULT: Seventy-six protein peaks were detected at the molecular range of 2000-20000 Da., among which 27 ones were significantly different between laryngeal carcinoma and controls( P < 0.05). A diagnostic pattern consisting of 3 protein peaks was established with of accuracy 88.7% (86/97), sensitivity 87% (40/46), specificity 90.2% (46/51), Blind test generated a sensitivity of 83.3% (10/12)and specificity of 84.6% (11/13) respectively. CONCLUSION: It is successful to develop and evaluate the different spectrometric protein profiling patterns of laryngeal carcinoma and healthy control by SELDI-TOF-MS. This affords possibly a new method to early diagnosis of laryngeal carcinoma.

[The application of multi-slice computed tomograph in diagnosis and operation of hypopharyngeal carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical application of multi slice CT(MSCT) in hypopharyngeal carcinoma and serve otolaryngologist to institute proper operation. METHOD: Forty-five patients with hypopharyngeal carcinoma scanned by MSCT were studied and confirmed by operation and pathologic examination. The operation material were retrospectively analyzed. All the cases were used for the enhancement scanning, whose scope was from hard palate to cervical segments of esophagus. RESULT: Of 45 cases, 34 cases derived from piriform fossa, 7 cases were from the postcricoid region and 4 cases were in the posterior wall of hypopharynx. The tumor showed isodense or mixed density and slightly enhancement, piriform fossa became narrow or disappeared, retropharyngeal soft tissue thickened, laryngeal cartilage and esophageal ostium were invaded and lymph nodes of neck became metastasis. The tumor pushed the annular and arytenoids cartilage displacement anteriorly; the thyroid arytenoidal gap and cricothyroid joint were widened. The operation plan that was made according as MSCT was almost agreed with actual operation. The consistent rate is 91.1% (41/45). CONCLUSION: MSCT examination can accurately diagnose and exhibit the extension of the tumors and detect metastasis to lymph nodes, and provide reliable basis for surgery therapy.

[The role of high-resolution CT in the preoperative assessment of chronic otitis media].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the high-resolution CT scan in depicting the middle ear structures. METHOD: The surgical findings of 51 ears operated on were retrospectively compared with the CT findings. The followings were analysed: diagnostic features of chronic otitis media (COM) on CT status of the middle ear structures (ossicles, facial nerve canal, semicircular canals and tegmen tympani), and anatomical variations. RESULT: The radio-surgical agreement was excellent for the malleus (kappa statistics, k = 0.840) and tegmen (0.788), good for the incus (0.700) and semicircular canals (0.56), but poor for the stapes (0.366) and facial nerve dehiscence (0.310). Potential surgical hazards detected by the scans included: Low lying dura, high jugular bulb, anterior lying sigmoid sinus, facial nerve dehiscence and other situations brought about by the destructive nature of the lesion. CONCLUSION: There is a good radio-surgical correlation in COM for most middle ear structures except for the integrity of the facial canal and stapes. The scan alerts the surgeon the potential surgical dangers and complications of disease. High-resolution CT scan should be a routine examination prior to middle ear and mastoid surgery.