Enabling Gradient-Structured Solid Electrolyte Interphase by a Hydrated Eutectic Electrolyte for High-Performance Zn Metal Batteries.

Aqueous Zn metal batteries are attracting tremendous interest as promising energy storage systems due to their intrinsic safety and cost-effectiveness. Nevertheless, the reversibility of Zn metal anodes (ZMAs) is hindered by water-induced parasitic reactions and dendrite growth. Herein, a novel hydrated eutectic electrolyte (HEE) consisting of Zn(BF4)2·xH2O and sulfolane (SL) is developed to prevent the side reactions and achieve the outstanding cyclability of ZMAs. The strong coordination between Zn2+ and SL triggers the eutectic feature, enabling the low-temperature availability of HEEs. The restriction of BF4 - hydrolysis in the eutectic system can realize favorable compatibility between Zn(BF4)2-based electrolyte and ZMAs. Besides, the newly-established solvation structure with the participation of SL, H2O, and BF4 -, can induce in situ formation of desirable SEI with gradient structure consisting of B,O-rich species, ZnS, and ZnF2, to offer satisfactory protection toward ZMAs. Consequently, the HEE allows the Zn||Zn symmetric cell to cycle over 1650 h at 2 mA cm-2 and 1 mA h cm-2. Moreover, the Zn||NH4V4O10 full batteries can deliver a prolonged lifespan for 1000 cycles with a high capacity retention of 83.4%. This work represents a feasible approach toward the elaborate design of advanced electrolyte systems for next-generation batteries.

CPNE1 regulates myogenesis through the PERK-eIF2α pathway mediated by endoplasmic reticulum stress.

Sarcopenia is characterized by a progressive reduction in muscle mass or muscle physiological function associated with aging, but the relevant molecular mechanisms are not clear. Here, we identify the role of the myogenesis modifier CPNE1 in sarcopenia. CPNE1 is upregulated in aged skeletal muscles and young skeletal muscle satellite cells with palmitate-induced atrophy. The overexpression of CPNE1 hinders proliferation and differentiation and increases muscle atrophy characteristics in young skeletal muscle-derived satellite cells. In addition, CPNE1 overexpression disrupts the balance of mitochondrial fusion and division and causes endoplasmic reticulum stress. We found that the effects of CPNE1 on mitochondrial function are dependent on the PERK/eIF2α/ATF4 pathway. The overexpression of CPNE1 in young muscles alters membrane lipid composition, reduces skeletal muscle fibrosis regeneration, and exercise capacity in mice. These effects were reversed by PERK inhibitor GSK2606414. Moreover, immunoprecipitation indicates that CPNE1 overexpression greatly increased the acetylation of PERK. Therefore, CPNE1 is an important modifier that drives mitochondrial homeostasis to regulate myogenic cell proliferation and differentiation via the PERK-eIF2α pathway, which could be a valuable target for age-related sarcopenia.

Correction: Bohlke et al. The Effect of a Verbal Cognitive Task on Postural Sway Does Not Persist When the Task Is Over. Sensors 2021, 21, 8428.

There was an error in the original publication [...].

Therapeutic role of Artemether in the prevention of hepatic steatosis through miR-34a-5p/PPARα pathway.

Artemether (ATM) is a natural antimalarial drug that can also regulate glucose and lipid metabolism. However, little is known regarding its pharmacological action in metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), and the underlying mechanisms remain undetermined. The aim of this study was to explore the therapeutic effects of ATM against hepatic steatosis and the possible mechanisms. ATM significantly decreased blood glucose levels, improved glucose tolerance, reduced inflammatory response, and alleviated hepatic steatosis in the ob/ob mouse model as well as the high-fat diet-fed mice. ATM also inhibited lipid accumulation in murine hepatocytes in vitro. Using RNA sequencing, miR-34a-5p and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α (PPARα) were identified as important regulators during ATM treatment. ATM administration downregulated miR-34a-5p expression and miR-34a-5p abrogated the inhibitory effects of ATM on PO (palmitate + oleate)-induced lipid accumulation as well as triglycerides levels in murine hepatocytes. Furthermore, the expression of PPARα, a target gene of miR-34a-5p, was upregulated by ATM and PPARα inhibitor MK-886 abolished the positive effect of ATM. Consequently, PPARα agonist fenofibrate reversed the decreased mitochondrial fatty acid ß-oxidation induced by miR-34a-5p mimics after ATM treatment, thereby leading to attenuation of intracellular lipid accumulation. Taken together, ATM is a promising therapeutic agent against MAFLD that reduces lipid deposition by suppressing miR-34a-5p and upregulating PPARα.

Lipotoxicity-induced circGlis3 impairs beta cell function and is transmitted by exosomes to promote islet endothelial cell dysfunction.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Lipotoxicity constitutes the major driving force for type 2 diabetes. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) play important roles in regulating beta cell function and exosomes are essential mediators of intercellular communication. The role of exosomal circRNAs in type 2 diabetes remains largely unknown. We aimed to examine whether lipotoxicity induces dysregulation of circRNAs in beta cell-derived exosomes and to determine the contribution of exosomal circRNAs to the development of type 2 diabetes. METHODS: Exosomes were extracted from MIN6 cells treated with palmitate or BSA, and RNA sequencing was performed. CircGlis3 (Gli-similar 3) expression level was validated by qPCR. The impact of circGlis3 on beta cell function and the deleterious effects of exosomal circGlis3 on islet endothelial cells (islet ECs) were investigated in vitro and in vivo in human and mouse models by gain or loss of function assays. The molecular mechanism of circGlis3 was explored by RNA pull-down and immunoprecipitation assays. RESULTS: Beta cell-derived exosomal circGlis3 was significantly upregulated under lipotoxic conditions, and exosomal circGlis3 levels were also elevated in the serum of mouse models of diabetes and participants with type 2 diabetes. CircGlis3 participated in lipotoxicity-induced beta cell dysfunction in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, beta cell-derived exosomal circGlis3 could be transferred to islet ECs and reduce the cell viability, cell migration and angiogenesis of islet ECs. Mechanistically, circGlis3 promoted the degradation of glucocorticoid modulatory element-binding protein 1 (GMEB1) by facilitating the interaction between GMEB1 and mindbomb E3 ubiquitin protein ligase 2 (MIB2), thus suppressing the phosphorylation of heat shock protein 27 (HSP27). CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: Our study points to the involvement of circGlis3 in diabetes development, and exosomal circGlis3 transfer as a communication mode between beta cells and islet ECs, suggesting that circGlis3 might be a potential biomarker and therapeutic target for type 2 diabetes. DATA AVAILABILITY: The RNA-sequencing data have been deposited in the NCBI Sequence Read Archive (SRA) database, with accession number PRJNA689673. Mass spectrometry data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD024693.

Study on influential factors and reference values for thyroid volume in Chinese children aged 6-12 years.

The purpose of the current study was to research the factors influencing thyroid volume (TVOL) in 6-12-year-old children and update the reference values. A cross-sectional study was carried out in iodine-sufficient areas of four provinces in China. Urine, edible salt and drinking water samples were collected from children. Children's height, weight and TVOL were measured. Ridge regression was used to screen variables for solving the multicollinearity problem. Quantile regression was used to analyse the relationship between the quantiles of TVOL and other variables. In total, 5653 children aged 6-12 years were enrolled in this study, including 2838 boys and 2815 girls. There was no significant difference in TVOL between boys and girls (P > 0·05). Spearman correlation analysis showed that total TVOL was positively correlated with age, height, weight, body surface area (BSA) and BMI, and the correlation coefficients were 0·616, 0·663, 0·669, 0·685 and 0·479, respectively. Among them, the correlation between TVOL and BSA was the strongest. According to the ridge regression results, age and BSA influenced TVOL, and the ridge regression coefficients were 0·13 and 0·94, respectively. Quantile regression further showed that age and BSA had significant influences on the whole TVOL distribution (P < 0·001). Therefore, the TVOL of children aged 6-12 years in China was mainly influenced by age and BSA, and reference values for TVOL of different genders based on age and BSA were established.

Risk factors of primary and recurrent fractures in postmenopausal osteoporotic Chinese patients: A retrospective analysis study.

BACKGROUND: As postmenopausal osteoporotic fractures can cause higher rates of disability and mortality in women; it is essential to analyze the factors associated with primary and recurrent fractures in postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMOP) patients. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 2478 PMOP patients aged ≥ 50 years who attended the Shanghai General Hospital from January 2007 to December 2016, including 1239 patients with no fractures and 1239 patients with histories of fractures (1008 in the primary fracture group and 231 in the re-fracture group). All patients' basic clinical data, serum biochemical and bone metabolic markers, bone mineral density (BMD), and other indicators were recorded uniformly. Comparing the differences between the clinical characteristics of patients with primary and recurrent fractures, as well as the differences in the clinical characteristics of patients with primary and recurrent fractures in combination with different diseases, further analyses the risk factors for primary and recurrent fractures in PMOP patients. SPSS.26 was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Compared to the unfractured group, the fractured group was older and had lower height and bone mineral density (all P < 0.01), with the re-fractured group having lower BMD at each key site than the primary fracture group (all P < 0.01). Analysis of the combined disease subgroups showed that serum BGP levels were lower in the primary and re-fracture patients with diabetes than in the non-diabetic subgroup (P < 0.05), and serum CTX levels were lower in the re-fracture group with diabetes than in the primary fracture group with diabetes (P < 0.05). Patients with recurrent fractures with cardio-vascular diseases had lower BMD than the subgroup without cardio-vascular diseases (P < 0.05) and also had lower BMD than the group with primary fractures with cardio-vascular diseases (P < 0.05). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that advanced age, overweight, low lumbar spine and total hip BMD were risk factors for primary and recurrent fractures; and comorbid chronic liver and kidney diseases were risk factors for primary fractures. CONCLUSION: PMOP patients with advanced age, overweight, low bone mineral density, and comorbid chronic liver and kidney diseases are at greater risk of fractures and require early intervention to reduce fractures occurrence. Moreover, those who are elderly, overweight, and have low bone density should also be aware of the risk of re-fractures.

Design Strategies to Tune the Structural and Mechanical Properties of Synthetic Collagen Hydrogels.

As an important component of biomaterials, collagen provides three-dimensional scaffolds and biological cues for cell adhesion and proliferation in tissue engineering. Recombinant collagen-like proteins, which were initially discovered in Streptococcus pyogenes and produced in heterologous hosts, have been chemically and genetically engineered for biomaterial applications. However, existing collagen-like proteins do not form gels, limiting their utility as biomaterials. Here, we present a series of rationally designed collagen-like proteins composed of a trimerization domain, triple-helical domains with various lengths, and a pair of heterotrimeric coiled-coil sequences attached to the N- and C-termini as adhesive ends. These designed proteins fold into triple helices and form self-supporting gels. As the triple-helical domains are lengthened, the gels become less stiff, pore sizes increase, and structural anisotropy decreases. Moreover, cell-culture assay confirms that the designed proteins are noncytotoxic. This study provides a design strategy for collagen-based biomaterials. The sequence variations reveal a relationship between the protein primary structure and material properties, where variations in the cross-linking density and association energies define the gelation of the protein network.

The Effect of a Verbal Cognitive Task on Postural Sway Does Not Persist When the Task Is Over.

Dual-task balance studies explore interference between balance and cognitive tasks. This study is a descriptive analysis of accelerometry balance metrics to determine if a verbal cognitive task influences postural control after the task ends. Fifty-two healthy older adults (75 ± 6 years old, 30 female) performed standing balance and cognitive dual-tasks. An accelerometer recorded movement from before, during, and after the task (reciting every other letter of the alphabet). Thirty-six balance metrics were calculated for each task condition. The effect of the cognitive task on postural control was determined by a generalized linear model. Twelve variables, including anterior-posterior centroid frequency, peak frequency and entropy rate, medial-later entropy rate and wavelet entropy, and bandwidth in all directions, exhibited significant differences between baseline and cognitive task periods, but not between baseline and post-task periods. These results indicate that the verbal cognitive task did alter balance, but did not bring about persistent effects after the task had ended. Traditional balance measurements, i.e., root mean square and normalized path length, notably lacked significance, highlighting the potential to use other accelerometer metrics for the early detection of balance problems. These novel insights into the temporal dynamics of dual-task balance support current dual-task paradigms to reduce fall risk in older adults.

Iodine nutrition status and thyroid function of women at different phases of gestation in an iodine sufficient rural area.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: This study was undertaken to evaluate the status of iodine nutrition and thyroid function of women at different phases of gestation in an iodine sufficient rural area. METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: 215 pregnant women in different trimesters were consecutively enrolled in iodine sufficient rural areas of Yongjing county of Gansu province, China. The blood samples and random urine samples were collected from them, and serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free triiodothyronine (FT3), free thyroxin (FT4), thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb), thyroglobulin antibody (TgAb) and urinary iodine were measured. RESULTS: Median Urinary Iodine (MUI) of three groups of pregnant women (first, second and third trimester) were 190 µg/L, 153 µg/L and 145 µg/L respectively. With the increase of gestational age, the level of FT3 decreased. And the FT3 level in the first trimester was higher than those in the second and third trimester. There was a U-shaped curve seen between the TSH levels and the gestational age. The medians of TgAb and TPOAb appeared the lowest in the first trimester．Significant difference was seen in TgAb and TPOAb levels of the three groups of pregnant women. The incidence of thyroid function disorder was 1.86%, including subclinical hypothyroidism accounted for 1.40% and hypothyroidism accounted for 0.47%. The incidence of thyroid function disorder mainly appeared in the early pregnancy. Abnormal FT3, TSH, positive TgAb and TPOAb were mainly seen during early pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS: The levels of serum TSH and thyroid hormones fluctuate at the different phases of pregnancy. With the increase of gestational age, the incidence of iodine deficiency also increased. Abnormal thyroid hormones, TSH, positive TgAb and TPOAb were mainly existed in the early pregnancy.

Enzyme assembly guided by SPFH-induced functional inclusion bodies for enhanced cascade biocatalysis.

Enzyme clustering into compact agglomerates could accelerate the processing of intermediates to enhance metabolic pathway flux. However, enzyme clustering is still a challenging task due to the lack of universal assembly strategy applicable to all enzymes. Therefore, we proposed an alternative enzyme assembly strategy based on functional inclusion bodies. First, functional inclusion bodies in cells were formed by the fusion expression of stomatin/prohibitin/flotillin/HflK/C (SPFH) domain and enhanced green fluorescent protein, as observed visually and by transmission electron microscopy. The formation of SPFH-induced functional inclusion bodies enhanced intermolecular polymerization as revealed by further analysis combined with Förster resonance energy transfer and bimolecular fluorescent complimentary. Finally, the functional inclusion bodies significantly improved the enzymatic catalysis in living cells, as proven by the examples with whole-cell biocatalysis of phenyllactic acid by Escherichia coli, and the production of N-acetylglucosamine by Bacillus subtilis. Our findings suggest that SPFH-induced functional inclusion bodies can enhance the cascade reaction of enzymes, to serve as a potential universal strategy for the construction of efficient microbial cell factories.

Expression of Transcripts Selective for GABA Neuron Subpopulations across the Cortical Visuospatial Working Memory Network in the Healthy State and Schizophrenia.

Visuospatial working memory (WM), which is impaired in schizophrenia, depends on a distributed network including visual, posterior parietal, and dorsolateral prefrontal cortical regions. Within each region, information processing is differentially regulated by subsets of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) neurons that express parvalbumin (PV), somatostatin (SST), or vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP). In schizophrenia, WM impairments have been associated with alterations of PV and SST neurons in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Here, we quantified transcripts selectively expressed in GABA neuron subsets across four cortical regions in the WM network from comparison and schizophrenia subjects. In comparison subjects, PV mRNA levels declined and SST mRNA levels increased from posterior to anterior regions, whereas VIP mRNA levels were comparable across regions except for the primary visual cortex (V1). In schizophrenia subjects, each transcript in PV and SST neurons exhibited similar alterations across all regions, whereas transcripts in VIP neurons were unaltered in any region except for V1. These findings suggest that the contribution of each GABA neuron subset to inhibitory regulation of local circuitry normally differs across cortical regions of the visuospatial WM network and that in schizophrenia alterations of PV and SST neurons are a shared feature across these regions, whereas VIP neurons are affected only in V1.

Influence of transversely inhomogeneous pseudo-thermal light source on lensless ghost imaging.

The influence of a transversely inhomogeneous pseudo-thermal light source on lensless ghost imaging is investigated theoretically and experimentally. Based on classical optical theory, a model of lensless ghost imaging with an inside inclined light source is analyzed. We use the optical path difference between different transverse positions of the light beam to estimate the degree of inhomogeneity. The results indicate that the transversely inhomogeneous light source decreases the visibility and signal-to-noise ratio of the reconstructed image. Finally, we implement experiments to verify our results using inclined ground glass.

[Status of lactating women's iodine nutrition and thyroid function in different iodine nutrition level of children in Gansu Province].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the iodine nutrition and thyroid function of lactatingwomen in different iodine nutrition level of children in Gansu Province, and provide a scientific basis for iodine supplementation. METHODS: Liangzhou district( the median urinary iodine was greater than or equal to 300 g/L), Linze county( the median urinary iodine was from 200 to 299 g/L) and Huating county( the median urinary iodine was from100 to 199 g/L) were selected according to 8-10 years old children urinary iodine in2009. Huating county, Liangzhou district and Linze county were as iodine excessive area, iodine suitable area 1 and iodine suitable area 2, respectively in 2014. One township was randomly selected from the east, west, south, north and middle parts of each research point, 10 lactating women were randomly collected in each township, who was tested urine samples and thyroid function. Salt intake was surveyed in 3 townships. 2 samples were collected in centralized water supplies, 1 sample was collected in its coverage by the east, west, south, north and middle parts; 1 sample was collected by the east, west, south, north and middle parts in decentralized water supplies, which were tested of water iodine. RESULTS: The medians of water iodine were 2. 32, 0. 70 and 6. 18 µg/L and the medians of salt iodine were 25. 3, 25. 0 and 28. 6 mg/kg for iodine excessive area, iodine suitable area 1 and iodine suitable area 2, respectively. Per capita daily intake of salt were 15. 0, 11. 3 and 4. 7 g for iodine excessive area, iodine suitable area 1 and iodine suitable area 2 respectively, there were statisticant differences. The median urinary iodine of lactating women were 181. 8, 143. 1 and 104. 9 µg/L for iodine excessive area, iodine suitable area 1 and iodine suitable area 2, respectively. The medians of thyroidstimulating hormone( TSH) were 2. 3, 2. 2 and 1. 9 mIU/L, mean values of free thyroxine( FT4) were 15. 0, 13. 9 and 14. 6 pmol/L, mean values of free triidothyronine( FT3) were 5. 0, 4. 8 and 4. 6 pmol/L for iodine excessive area, iodine suitable area 1 and iodine suitable area 2 respectively, there were not statistically differences. The positive rate of thyromicrosomal antibody( Tm Ab) were 3. 6 %, 11. 3 % and 13. 2 % and the positive rate of thyroglobulin antibody( Tg Ab) were 3. 6 %, 11. 3 % and 11. 3 % for iodine excessive area, iodine suitable area 1 and iodine suitable area 2 respectively( P >0. 05). Prevalence of thyroid function disorders were 14. 3 %, 21. 0 % and 9. 4 % and prevalence of low-FT4 syndrome were 7. 1 %, 4. 8 % and 1. 9 %, prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism were 3. 6 %, 11. 3 % and 3. 8 % for iodine excessive area, iodine suitable area 1 and iodine suitable area 2 respectively( P > 0. 05). CONCLUSION: Iodine nutrition level was appropriate for lactating women in 3 areas, but some lactating women were iodine deficiency or iodine excess. There were occurred thyroid function disorders in some lactating women in 3 areas. The lactating women's iodine nutrition and thyroid function should be monitored and the normal reference value of thyroid function on lactating women should be established also.

[The Expression and Biological Function of claudin-23 in Colorectal Cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the expression of claudin-23 in colorectal cancer and paracarcinoma tissues,and its effects on the proliferation and migration of colorectal cancer cells. METHODS: Six pairs of samples of colorectal cancer and corresponding paracarcinoma tissues were collected from the West China Hospital of Sichuan University. Quantitative real time PCR was performed to determine the expression of claudin-23 in the tissue samples. Colorectal cancer cell lines with stable overexpression of claduin-23 were constructed using lentivirus. CCK-8 and migration assays were conducted to identify the effects of claudin-23 on cell proliferation and migration. RESULTS: The expression of claudin-23 in colorectal cancer tissues decreased compared with their adjacent normal tissues (P<0.05). claudin-23 decreased cell adhesion and increased cell proliferation in HCT15 cells. RKO and HCT15 cells with over expressed claudin-23 had increased ability of migration. CONCLUSION: claudin-23 facilitates the migration ability of colorectal cancer cells and may participate in the metastasis of colorectal cancer.

[Efficacy of Oral Corticosteroids in Preventing Esophageal Stenosis after Large Area Endoscopic Submucosal Tunnel Dissection].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of oral corticosteroids in preventing esophageal stenosis after large area esophageal endoscopic submucosal tunnel dissection (ESTD). METHODS: The patients undertook esophageal ESTD were included from January 2014 to January 2018. The inclusion criteria was single lesion of esophageal early esophagus cancer with the extent more than 3/4 of circumferential degree. According to the inclusion time, the patients were divided into the trial group (ESTD + oral corticosteroids) and the control group (simple ESTD). The incidence of the total esophageal stenosis, intractable esophageal stenosis, the remission rate of dysphagia and the period from the dysphagia present were observed and compared in the two groups. RESULTS: A total of 101 cases of esophageal ESTD patients were included. There were 48 cases in the trial group, 28 cases of male and 20 cases of female, with an average age of (62.98±7.52) years; 53 cases in the control group, 28 cases of male and 25 cases of female, with an average age of (62.67±8.04) years. The rate of intractable esophageal stenosis in the trial group was lower than that in the control group (6.25% vs. 20.75%, P<0.05). The average endoscopic treatment times in the non-refractory stenosis patients in the trial group were significantly less than those in the control group 〔(1.85±0.27) times vs. (3.24±0.49) times, P<0.05〕, and the occurrence time of esophageal stenosis in the trial group was 51.06 d after ESTD, significantly later than that in the control group (29.12 d, P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Oral corticosteroids can effectively reduce the degree of esophageal stenosis after large area ESTD, as well as the incidence of intractable esophageal stenosis and the number of endoscopic treatment in non-refractory esophageal stenosis patients.

[Risk Factors for Missed Diagnosis of Esophageal Low-grade Intraepithelial Neoplasia in Endoscopic Forceps Biopsy Compared with Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the risk factors for pathological upgrading after endoscopic treatment of esophageal lesions which confirmed to be low-grade intraepithelial neoplasia (LGIN) by preoperative biopsy. METHODS: A total of 148 patients who were confirmed to be LGIN in preoperative forceps underwent further endoscopic resection between November 2013 and July 2018. According to the final pathological results after endoscopic treatment, they were divided into pathological upgrading group and pathological non-upgrading group, and their clinicopathological characteristics were analyzed and compared through univariate and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: The average age of the patients was (59.95±7.75) years old and the percent of male patients was 67.57% (100/148). Most lesions were located in the middle esophagus (99 cases) and lower esophagus (38 cases). Endoscopic gross type was mainly depressed type (72 cases). The en-bloc resection rate was 99.32% (147/148). Among the patients (77, 52.03%) who had pathological upgrading, 33 (22.3%) cases were HGIN, 25 (16.9%) cases were in-situ cancer, and 19 (12.8%) cases were superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Univariate analysis showed that circumferential extent (≥1/2), longitudinal diameter (≥3 cm), submucosa involvement found by endoscopic ultrasongraphy, depressed gross type and redness of lesion mucosa were risk factors for postoperative pathological upgrading. Multivariate analysis indicated that the redness of the lesion mucosa and longitudinal diameter (≥3 cm) of the lesion were independent risk factors for pathological upgrading. CONCLUSIONS: For esophageal lesions diagnosed by biopsy as LGIN, clinicians should be highly alert to the pathological underestimate if the lesion surface is reddened and its longitudinal diameter is greater than 3 cm.

Olfactory Dysfunctions and Decreased Nitric Oxide Production in the Brain of Human P301L Tau Transgenic Mice.

Different patterns of olfactory dysfunction have been found in both patients and mouse models of Alzheimer's Disease. However, the underlying mechanism of the dysfunction remained unknown. Deficits of nitric oxide production in brain can cause olfactory dysfunction by preventing the formation of olfactory memory. The aim of this study was to investigate the behavioral changes in olfaction and alterations in metabolites of nitric oxide, nitrate/nitrite concentration, in the brain of human P301L tau transgenic mice. The tau mice showed impairments in olfaction and increased abnormal phosphorylation of Tau protein at AT8 in different brain areas, especially in olfactory bulb. We now report that these olfactory deficits and Tau pathological changes were accompanied by decreased nitrate/nitrite concentration in the brain, especially in the olfactory bulb, and reduced expression of nNOS in the brain of tau mice. These findings provided evidence of olfactory dysfunctions correlated with decreased nitric oxide production in the brain of tau mice.

Photodynamic therapy mediated by 5-aminolevulinic acid suppresses gliomas growth by decreasing the microvessels.

Although 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA)-mediated photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been demonstrated to be a novel and effective therapeutic modality for some human malignancies, its effect and mechanism on glioma are still controversial. Previous studies have reported that 5-ALA-PDT induced necrosis of C6 rat glioma cells in vitro. The aim of this study was to further investigate the effect and mechanism of 5-ALA-PDT on C6 gliomas implanted in rats in vivo. Twenty-four rats bearing similar size of subcutaneously implanted C6 rat glioma were randomly divided into 3 groups: receiving 5-ALA-PDT (group A), laser irradiation (group B), and mock procedures but without any treatment (group C), respectively. The growth, histology, microvessel density (MVD), and apoptosis of the grafts in each group were determined after the treatments. As compared with groups B and C, the volume of tumor grafts was significantly reduced (P<0.05), MVD was significantly decreased (P<0.001), and the cellular necrosis was obviously increased in group A. There was no significant difference in apoptosis among the three groups. The in vivo studies confirmed that 5-ALA-PDT may be an effective treatment for gliomas by inhibiting the tumor growth. The mechanism underlying may involve increasing the cellular necrosis but not inducing the cellular apoptosis, which may result from the destruction of the tumor microvessels.