The biological roles of CD47 in ovarian cancer progression.

Ovarian cancer is one of the most lethal malignant tumors, characterized by high incidence and poor prognosis. Patients relapse occurred in 65-80% after initial treatment. To date, no effective treatment has been established for these patients. Recently, CD47 has been considered as a promising immunotherapy target. In this paper, we reviewed the biological roles of CD47 in ovarian cancer and summarized the related mechanisms. For most types of cancers, the CD47/Sirpα immune checkpoint has attracted the most attention in immunotherapy. Notably, CD47 monoclonal antibodies and related molecules are promising in the immunotherapy of ovarian cancer, and further research is needed. In the future, new immunotherapy regimens targeting CD47 can be applied to the clinical treatment of ovarian cancer patients.

Enoxaparin sodium combined with magnesium sulfate in the treatment of severe preeclampsia.

Objective: To observe the treatment of severe preeclampsia in newborns with enoxaparin sodium combined with magnesium sulfate. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 80 patients with severe preeclampsia admitted to Hefei Second People's Hospital, China from January 2019 to December 2020. Treatment records showed that 40 cases received magnesium sulfate treatment (single group), and 40 cases received enoxaparin sodium combined with magnesium sulfate treatment (combination group). Levels of D-dimer, soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 (sFlt-1), placental growth factor (PLGF), Apgar scores of newborns delivered before and after treatment were compared. Gestation weeks and incidence of adverse reactions were analyzed. Results: After treatment, levels of D-dimer, sfit-1 and adverse reactions in the combination group were significantly lower than those in the single group (P<0.05), and the level of PLGF, newborn Apgar score and length of gestation were significantly higher than those in the single group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Compared to magnesium sulfate alone, the combination of enoxaparin sodium and magnesium sulfate in the treatment of pregnant women with severe preeclampsia can more effectively regulate the cytokine level of patients, improve pregnancy outcome, and improve neonatal Apgar score. The incidence of adverse reactions is low, making it a safe and efficient treatment modality.

Clinical and epidemiological features of high-risk human papillomavirus infection in patients with cervical intraepithelial lesions.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we analyzed the clinical and epidemiological features of high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) infection in patients with cervical intraepithelial lesions. METHODS: Retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data of 240 cases of histologically confirmed cervical squamous intraepithelial lesions to determine any correlation between HPV infection characteristics, age distribution, and cervical epithelial lesions. RESULTS: Patients between the ages of 31 and 40 with cervical intraepithelial lesions were more likely to have high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL; 40.7%) than low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL; 31.3%) (P < 0.05). In patients with HSIL, HR-HPV16, HR-HPV33, and HR-HPV52 were the most common types of HPV infection, while in patients with LSIL, HR-HPV16, HR-HPV52, and HR-HPV58 were the most common types of HPV infection. The highest percentage of single infections occurred in the HSIL group (69.6%), followed by the LSIL group (68.8%). HSIL was present in a significant number of patients (28.6%) aged 30 years and above who tested positive for 12 HPV types but negative for TCT. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of HSIL is greatest in younger patients. Patients with cervical epithelial lesions typically have a single infection of a high-risk HPV genotype-HR-HPV16, HR-HPV33, HR-HPV52, or HR-HPV58. Patients aged 30 years and above who test positive for one of 12 types of HPV but negative for TCT are at increased risk for developing HSIL. In order to detect cervical lesions early and begin treatment without delay, colposcopy should be performed regardless of whether or not a high-risk HPV infection is present.

Performance of spleen stiffness measurement by 2D-shear wave elastography in evaluating the presence of high-risk varices: comparative analysis of idiopathic portal hypertension versus hepatitis B virus.

BACKGROUND: Noninvasive assessment of high-risk varices (HRV) in idiopathic portal hypertension (IPH) is rare. The purpose of this study was to investigate the performance of spleen stiffness (SS) for evaluating the presence of HRV in IPH patients as compared the measurements in patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV). METHODS: A retrospective single-center study was performed to evaluate the performance of SS for assessing HRV in IPH and HBV-infected patients, in comparison with liver stiffness (LS), spleen stiffness-to-liver stiffness ratio (SS/LS), LS spleen-diameter-to-platelet-ratio score (LSPS), portal hypertension risk score (PH risk score) and varices risk score, by using upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (UGE) as the gold standard. Finally, 86 IPH and 102 HBV-infected patients were enrolled. UGE, two-dimensional shear wave elastography (2D-SWE) and laboratory data were collected, and noninvasive parameters were calculated. Analysis of receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves was conducted to acquire the optimal area under the ROC curve (AUC) and cutoff value for predicting the presence of HRV. RESULTS: In patients with HRV, the significantly different parameters between IPH (34.9%) and HBV-infected patients (46.1%) were as follows: spleen size (diameter 18.5 ± 3.9 cm vs. 20.8 ± 2.7 cm), SS (50.2 kPa vs. 42.9 kPa), LS (11.1 kPa vs. 18.3 kPa) and PT (prothrombin time 15.1 s vs. 16.7 s). No statistically significant differences were found in liver function, platelet counts, spleen thickness and flow volumes in the portal venous system (p > 0.05). The AUCs of SS were 0.98 and 0.96 for predicting the presence of HRV in IPH (44.0 kPa cutoff value; 0.93 sensitivity; 0.96 specificity) and HBV-infected patients (35.2 kPa cutoff value; 1.00 sensitivity; 0.82 specificity), respectively, which were significantly better than other parameters. CONCLUSION: SS shows the optimal overall performance for predicting the presence of HRV in IPH and HBV-infected patients, in comparison with other noninvasive parameters.

Neuroimaging Phenotyping and Assessment of Structural-Metabolic-Electrophysiological Alterations in the Temporal Neocortex of Focal Cortical Dysplasia IIIa.

BACKGROUND: Focal cortical dysplasia IIIa (FCD IIIa) is a common histopathological finding in temporal lobe epilepsy. However, subtle alterations in the temporal neocortex of FCD IIIa renders presurgical diagnosis and definition of the resective range challenging. PURPOSE: To explore neuroimaging phenotyping and structural-metabolic-electrophysiological alterations in FCD IIIa. STUDY TYPE: Retrospective. SUBJECTS: One hundred and sixty-seven subjects aged 4-39 years, including 64 FCD IIIa patients, 89 healthy controls and 14 FCD I patients as disease controls. FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCE: 3 T, fast-spin-echo T2 -weighted fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR), synthetic T1 -weighted magnetization prepared rapid acquisition gradient echo (MPRAGE). ASSESSMENT: Surface-based linear model was applied to reveal neuroimaging phenotyping in FCD IIIa and assess its relationship with clinical variables. Logistic regression was implemented to identify FCD IIIa patients. Epileptogenicity mapping (EM) was conducted to explore the structural-metabolic-electrophysiological alterations in temporal neocortex of FCD IIIa. STATISTICAL TESTS: Student's t-test was applied to determine the significance of paired differences. Calibration curves were plotted to assess the goodness-of-fit (GOF) of the models, combined with the Hosmer-Lemeshow test. RESULTS: FCD IIIa exhibited widespread hyperintensities in temporal neocortex, and these alterations correlated with disease duration (Puncorrected < 0.01). Machine learning model accurately identified 84.4% of FCD IIIa patients, 92.1% of healthy controls and 92.9% of FCD I patients. Cross-modality analysis showed a significant negative correlation between FLAIR hyperintensity and positron emission tomography hypometabolism P < 0.01). Furthermore, epileptogenic cortices were located predominantly in brain regions with FLAIR hyperintensity and hypometabolism. DATA CONCLUSION: FCD IIIa exhibited widespread temporal neocortex FLAIR hyperintensity. Automated machine learning of neuroimaging patterns is conducive for accurate identification of FCD IIIa. The degree and distribution of morphological alterations related to the extent of metabolic and epileptogenic abnormalities, lending support to its potential value for reduction of the radiative and invasive approaches during presurgical workup. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3 TECHNICAL EFFICACY STAGE: 2.

The Rolandic operculum generates different semiologies in insulo-opercular and temporal lobe epilepsies.

PURPOSE: The role of the Rolandic operculum in in mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE) is to produce oroalimentary automatisms (OAAs). In insulo-opercular epilepsy (IOE), the Rolandic operculum may produce perioral muscle clonic or tonic movements or contractions. This paper aims to confirm the symptomatogenic zone of facial symptoms in IOE and to explain this phenomenon. METHODS: A total of 45 IOE patients and 15 MTLE patients were analyzed. The patients with IOE were divided into facial (+) and (-) groups according to the facial symptoms. The interictal positron emission tomography (PET) data were compared among groups. Furthermore, electroclinical correlation, functional connectivity and energy ratio (ER) were analyzed with stereo-electroencephalography (SEEG). RESULTS: Intergroup PET differences were observed mainly in the Rolandic operculum. Electroclinical correlation showed that the Rolandic operculum was the only brain area showing any correlations. Compared with the facial (-) group, the facial (+) group showed stronger functional connectivity and a higher ER in the alpha 1, alpha 2 and beta sub-bands. In the Rolandic operculum, compared with those of the MTLE group, the h2 and ER of the facial (+) group were higher in the high frequency sub-bands. Intergroup comparison of the ER in the seizure onset zones (SOZ) showed no significant difference. SIGNIFICANCE: The symptomatogenic zone of facial symptoms in IOE is the Rolandic operculum. Seizure propagation to the Rolandic operculum generates different semiologies because of the different synchronization frequencies and energies of the sub-bands depending on the site of seizure origin. This may be due to the complex spreading pathway from the SOZ to the symptomatogenic zone.

Effective connectivity among the hippocampus, amygdala, and temporal neocortex in epilepsy patients: A cortico-cortical evoked potential study.

OBJECTIVE: Mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE) is one of the most common types of intractable epilepsy. The hippocampus and amygdala are two crucial structures of the mesial temporal lobe and play important roles in the epileptogenic network of MTLE. This study aimed to explore the effective connectivity among the hippocampus, amygdala, and temporal neocortex and to determine whether differences in effective connectivity exist between MTLE patients and non-MTLE patients. METHODS: This study recruited 20 patients from a large cohort of drug-resistant epilepsy patients, of whom 14 were MTLE patients. Single-pulse electrical stimulation (SPES) was performed to acquire cortico-cortical evoked potentials (CCEPs). The root mean square (RMS) was used as the metric of the magnitude of CCEP to represent the effective connectivity. We then conducted paired and independent sample t-tests to assess the directionality of the effective connectivity. RESULTS: In both MTLE patients and non-MTLE patients, the directional connectivity from the amygdala to the hippocampus was stronger than that from the hippocampus to the amygdala (P < 0.01); the outward connectivity from the amygdala to the cortex was stronger than the inward connectivity from the cortex to the amygdala (P < 0.01); the amygdala had stronger connectivity to the neocortex than the hippocampus (P < 0.01). In MTLE patients, the neocortex had stronger connectivity to the hippocampus than to the amygdala (P < 0.01). No significant differences in directional connectivity were noted between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: A unique effective connectivity pattern among the hippocampus, amygdala, and temporal neocortex was identified through CCEPs analysis. This study may aid in our understanding of physiological and pathological networks in the brain and inspire neurostimulation protocols for neurological and psychiatric disorders.

Neural networks underlying hyperkinetic seizures: A quantitative PET and SEEG study.

OBJECTIVE: Hyperkinetic seizures (HKS) are characterized by complex movements that commonly occur during seizures arising from diverse cortical structures. A common semiology network may exist and analyzing the anatomo-electrical mechanisms would facilitate presurgical evaluation. Here, quantitative positron emission tomography (PET) and stereoelectroencephalography (SEEG) analysis was used to explore the underlying mechanism of HKS. METHODS: We retrospectively collected patients with epilepsy with HKS between 2014 and 2019. The interictal PET data of patients with epilepsy with HKS were compared with those of 25 healthy subjects using statistical parametric mapping to identify regions with significant hypometabolism. Then, regions of interest (ROI) for SEEG analysis were identified based on the results of PET analysis. Patients in which the ROIs were covered by intracerebral electrodes were selected for further analysis. Stereoelectroencephalography -clinical correlations with latency measurements were analyzed, and we also performed coherence analysis among ROIs both before and during HKS. RESULTS: Based on the inclusion criteria, 27 patients were analyzed. In the PET analysis, significant hypometabolism was observed in the ipsilateral dorsoanterior insular lobe, bilateral mesial frontal lobes (supplementary motor area/middle cingulate cortex, SMA/MCC), and the bilateral heads of the caudate nuclei in patients with HKS compared with the control group (p < 0.001). We selected dorsoanterior insula and SMA/MCC as ROIs for SEEG analysis. Eight patients with 23 HKS events were selected for further analysis. There was a linear correlation between the ictal involvement of both the dorsoanterior insula and SMA/MCC with the onset of HKS. Stereoelectroencephalography analysis indicated alpha range activity seemed more often associated with dorsoanterior insula and SMA/MCC involvement during HKS. CONCLUSIONS: The dorsoanterior insular lobe, mesial frontal lobes (SMA/MCC), and the bilateral heads of the caudate nuclei were probably involved in the generation of HKS. The SEEG analysis further indicated that the occurrence of HKS might be partly associated with synchronized rhythmical alpha activity between dorsoanterior insula and SMA/MCC.

Stereoelectroencephalography-guided radiofrequency thermocoagulation for hypothalamic hamartoma: Electroclinical patterns and the relationship with surgical prognosis.

BACKGROUND: Radiofrequency thermocoagulation (RFTC) guided by stereo-electroencephalography (SEEG) has been proved to be a safe method to reduce seizure frequency in patients with drug-resistant epilepsy. However, there are few reports addressing the value and safety of this procedure in hypothalamic hamartoma (HH). OBJECTIVE: To present the results of our experience using SEEG-guided RFTC in HH patients with drug-resistant epilepsy, and identify outcome predictors. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical and surgical characteristics of 27 HH-related patients with epilepsy in our center between 2015 and 2019. All patients underwent invasive recordings with SEEG before RFTC was performed. We reported surgical outcome predictors and postoperative follow-up concerning safety and efficacy (mean follow-up, 27.3 months; range, 12-63). Surgical strategy was also analyzed. RESULTS: Nineteen patients (70.4%) achieved Engel's class I outcome, while 4 patients (14.8%) did not show significant improvement. Of all observed seizures, two different onset patterns of intracranial electrophysiology recorded by SEEG were observed. Patients presented with focal low-voltage fast activity were more likely to obtain seizure freedom (p = 0.045), while classification (p = 0.478), volume (p = 0.546), history of resection (p = 0.713), seizure types (p = 0.859), or seizure duration (p = 0.415) showed no significant effect on the outcome. Weight gain was the most common long-term complication (18.5%). CONCLUSION: The SEEG can guide the ablation of HH and serve as an important factor to predict favorable seizure outcomes. Radiofrequency thermocoagulation guided by SEEG can offer a minimally invasive and low-risk surgical approach with excellent outcomes. Disconnecting the attachment of HH should be the appropriate strategy to obtain the best seizure outcome.

An exploratory study of two-dimensional shear-wave elastography in the diagnosis of acute compartment syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Two-dimensional shear-wave elastography (2D-SWE) is an ultrasound elastography technique that uses shear waves to quantitatively measure tissue stiffness and it has recently been developed as a safe, real-time, and noninvasive imaging technique. The purpose of this study was to investigate the value of 2D-SWE in the diagnosis and treatment of acute compartment syndrome (ACS). METHODS: 2D-SWE was used to measure the elasticity values of the main muscles in the superficial compartments of the calf in 212 healthy volunteers, and the difference in the muscle elasticity values between different gender and age groups were analyzed. Nine patients with clinical suspicion of ACS were included in this study and 2D-SWE was used to measure the elasticity values of the muscles on the affected and unaffected sides, and a comparative analysis was performed. RESULTS: The mean elasticity values of the tibialis anterior (TA), peroneus longus (PL), and gastrocnemius medialis (GA) muscles in the relaxed state of the 212 healthy volunteers were 25.4 ± 3.2 kPa, 15.7 ± 1.5 kPa, and 12.1 ± 2.1 kPa, respectively. No statistically significant differences was observed in the elasticity values of the same muscle under the state of relaxation in different gender and age groups (p > 0.05). A statistically significant difference in the elasticity values of the muscle between the affected and unaffected sides in the fasciotomy group (p < 0.05, n = 5) was observed. In contrast, no difference in the elasticity values of the muscle between the affected and unaffected sides in the conservative group (p > 0.05, n = 4) was observed. There was a statistically significant difference in the elasticity values of the muscle on the affected side in the two treatment groups (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: When the ACS occurs, the muscle elasticity of the affected limb increases significantly. 2D-SWE is expected to be a new noninvasive technique for the assessment of ACS and may provide a potential basis for clinical diagnosis and treatment.

Successful treatment of a femoral pseudoaneurysm by ultrasonographically-guided application of a suture-mediated closure device.

We treated successfully a man with a femoral artery pseudoaneurysm by ultrasonography-guided application of a suture-mediated closure device. Radiography was not needed, as a guide wire was placed into the femoral artery along the rupture under ultrasonographic guidance alone, and the femoral artery was then sutured with the vascular closure device. The pseudoaneurysm was then completely resolved. This novel approach, which minimizes risks and costs, may be a safe and acceptable option to control iatrogenic pseudoaneurysms, especially when thrombin injection is not feasible.

Asymptomatic COVID-19 infection in late pregnancy indicated no vertical transmission.

This study is to investigate the clinical characteristics of late pregnancy with asymptomatic 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) infection, evaluate the outcome of maternal and fetal prognosis, and identify the evidence of intrauterine vertical transmission. A 22-years-old pregnant woman with asymptomatic COVID-19 infection who was admitted to our hospital on 11 February 2020 was enrolled in this study. Clinical data including laboratory test results and chest computed tomography (CT) scanning were collected and reviewed. Diagnosis of late pregnancy with asymptomatic COVID-19 infection was made. Lumbar anesthesia for cesarean section was performed and a female baby was delivered uneventfully, with the Apgar score of 9 to 10 points. Three times of COVID-19 nucleic acid test for the baby was negative after delivery. The puerpera returned to normal after the operation and two times of throat swab COVID-19 nucleic acid test were all negative after antiviral therapy. We reported an asymptomatic COVID-19 pregnant woman with detailed clinical information and our result indicated that for late pregnant women with asymptomatic COVID-19 infection, there might be no intrauterine infection caused by vertical transmission.

Seizure and cognitive outcomes of posterior quadrantic disconnection: a series of 12 pediatric patients.

Purpose: To evaluate surgical outcomes and cognitive improvements after posterior quadrantic disconnection (PQD) in children who had medically intractable epilepsy and to compare the various characteristics between the acquired group and the developmental group.Method: Between 2015 and 2017, we retrospectively enrolled all pediatric patients who underwent PQD. We used image post-processing techniques for preoperative evaluation. Seizure outcomes and postoperative cognitive improvements were analysed. The patients were divided into the acquired group and the developmental group depending on the pathology; we then compared groups regarding age at onset, surgery, history, and seizure and cognitive outcomes.Results: A total of 12 pediatric patients were enrolled, including 7 acquired patients and 5 developmental patients. After a median 28.9-month follow-up, 11 (91.7%) of 12 patients were seizure free. The image post-processing facilitated a better visualization on preoperative evaluation and helped with detection of the epileptogenic zone. There were significant linear relationships between improvements in IQ and operative age (R2=0.527, p = 0.007) and IQ and epileptic history (R2=0.696, p = 0.001). The median age at seizure onset was 4.86 ± 2.12 years in the acquired group and 2.40 ± 1.14 years in the developmental group (t = 2.344, p = 0.028). Epileptic histories, seizure outcomes and cognitive outcomes were not significantly different between groups.Conclusion: Posterior quadrantic disconnection is an effective epilepsy surgery in selected patients. The use of image post-processing is important for preoperative evaluation. The age at seizure onset and surgery in malformation of cortical development (MCD) patients was earlier; however, the seizure outcome was no better than in acquired pathology patients. Early surgery did not change seizure outcomes but improved cognition.

Exploring Internal Benefits of Medical Tourism Facilitators' Satisfaction: Customer Orientation, Job Satisfaction, and Work Performance.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: This study examined the impact of employee satisfaction with management and coworkers on their performance as medical tourism facilitators. The proposed hypotheses were tested with structural equation modeling based on data collected from major hospitals in South Korea. Results supported assumptions that satisfaction with management is positively correlated with customer orientation and job satisfaction of medical tourism facilitators, as well as with the assumption that satisfaction with coworkers has a direct impact on customer orientation. This study has practical implications as organizations develop effective internal marketing (i.e., communication) strategies to improve the performance of medical tourism facilitators.

Symptomatogenic zone and network of oroalimentary automatisms in mesial temporal lobe epilepsy.

OBJECTIVE: Oroalimentary automatisms (OAAs) are common clinical manifestations of medial temporal lobe epilepsy. Nevertheless, the location of the symptomatogenic zone of OAAs remains unclear. The generation mechanism of OAAs also has not been clarified. We attempt to explain these problems by analyzing interictal [18 F]-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (18 FDG-PET) imaging and ictal stereo-electroencephalography (SEEG) recordings in patients with medial temporal lobe epilepsy. METHODS: Fifty-seven patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy were analyzed retrospectively. All underwent anterior temporal lobectomy (ATL) and were seizure-free. The patients were divided into OAA (+) and OAA (-) groups according to the occurrence of consistent stereotyped OAAs. The interictal PET data were compared with those of 18 healthy controls and were then compared between groups using statistical parametric mapping (SPM). Functional connectivity using linear regression analysis was performed between the target brain regions. To clarify the network of OAAs, ictal epileptogenicity index (EI) values, and the nonlinear correlation method h2 were performed with SEEG on patients. RESULTS: Compared to OAAs (-), the rolandic operculum was the only area with significant differences. Hippocampus and rolandic operculum showed significant correlations in the OAA (+) group (y = 0.758x+0.470, R2  = 0.456, P = 0.000). No correlation was found in the OAA (-) group (P = 0.486). The EI values of the OAA (+) group (median 0.20) were significantly higher (P < 0.0001) than those of the OAA (-) group (median 0). The h2 in the OAA (+) group (h2  = 0.23 ± 0.13) showed stronger functional connectivity (t = 6.166, P < 0.0001) than that of the OAA (-) group (h2  = 0.08 ± 0.05). SIGNIFICANCE: The rolandic operculum is most likely to be the symptomatogenic zone of OAAs. In medial temporal lobe epilepsy, unilateral functional connection from the hippocampus to the rolandic operculum during seizure onset is the basis for the generation of OAAs.

Long noncoding RNA LINC00261 regulates endometrial carcinoma progression by modulating miRNA/FOXO1 expression.

Long noncoding RNA LINC00261 was reported to be downregulated in multiple cancers. LINC00261 overexpression inhibits cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. But the expression and function of LIN00261 in endometrial carcinoma are still elusive. We found that LINC00261 mRNA levels were downregulated in endometrial carcinoma, and LINC00261 overexpression inhibited endometrial carcinoma cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. miRNAs, including miR-182, miR-183, miR-153, miR-27a, and miR-96, were predicted to bind LINC00261 and FOXO1, and functioned to attenuate expression of LINC00261 and FOXO1. Overexpressed LINC00261 lowered these dissociative miRNAs, resulting in increase of FOXO1 protein levels. The knockdown of FOXO1 eliminated the suppression effect of overexpressed LINC00261 on endometrial carcinoma cell aggressiveness. LINC00261 promotes FOXO1 expression through reducing FOXO1-targeted miRNAs to suppress endometrial carcinoma cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY: LINC00261 is downregulated in endometrial carcinoma and associated with metastasis of this cancer. LINC00261 elevates FOXO1 protein levels through reducing FOXO1-targeted miRNAs to suppress endometrial carcinoma cell proliferation, migration, and invasion.

Mifepristone Inhibits the Migration of Cervical Cancer Cells by Inhibiting Exocrine Secretion.

Cervical cancer (CC) is one of the most common gynecological malignancies, and metastasis limits the use of surgical resection. Metapristone (MIF) was reported to suppress the proliferation and migration of several cancer cells. Exosomes play a variety of roles in cellular biological processes. The relation of exosomes and CC is less studied. Cell viability, apoptosis assay and migration assay was conducted in HeLa cells treated by MIF by CCK-8 kit, staining by Annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate and propidium iodide, and wound test respectively. ISG15 expression level was examined in MIF-treated HeLa cells by Western blot. The migration of HeLa cells treated by MIF/GW4869 was measured by wound test. MIF suppressed the growth and migration, as well as induced apoptosis of CC cells. MIF inhibited the exocrine secretion of CC cells by upregulating ISG15, while treating CC cells by ISG15 stimulus, IFN, inhibited the secretion of exosomes. The inhibition of exocrine secretion by GW4869 enhanced the migration inhibition of MIF on CC cells. This study demonstrates that MIF suppresses the CC cell migration by inhibiting exocrine secretion through upregulating ISG1.

[IMSI versus ICSI for male factor infertility: A meta-analysis].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of intracytoplasmic morphologically selected sperm injection (IMSI) versus intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in in vitro fertilization (IVF) for couples with male factor infertility. METHODS: Using the Cochrane system evaluation method, we searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL, ClinicalTrials.gov, and SinoMed and manually searched the reference lists of the included studies and relevant reviews for randomized controlled trials (RCT) comparing ICSI and IMSI published from 1992 to July 2017. We performed a meta-analysis on the included literature with the RevMan 5.3 software and subgroup analyses due to the prominent clinical heterogeneity of the patients. RESULTS: Of the 280 articles retrieved, 8 RCTs were included, involving 1 741 IVF cycles (842 cycles of IMSI versus 899 cycles of ICSI). There was no evidence for any significant difference between IMSI and ICSI in the live birth rate in the subgroup of infertility induced by pure male factors (RR = 1.31, 95% CI: 0.68－2.51; very low quality evidence from 1 RCT with 77 cycles) but an association of IMSI with an increased clinical pregnancy rate (RR = 1.46, 95% CI: 1.02－2.07; low quality evidence from 4 RCTs with 813 cycles), nor was there any evidence for that in the live birth rate (RR = 0.88, 95% CI: 0.60－1.31; low quality evidence from 1 RCT with 255 cycles) or clinical pregnancy rate (RR = 1.03, 95% CI: 0.86－1.23; moderate quality evidence from 3 RCTs with 851 cycles) in the subgroup of infertility caused by accompanying male factors. CONCLUSIONS: The evidence is of low quality for the association of IMSI with an increased rate of clinical pregnancy and is not sufficient to support the routine use of IMSI in IVF for male factor infertility.

Ultrasound contrast agent assisted ultrasonography guidance percutaneous nephrostomy for non-hydronephrotic kidney.

BACKGROUND: Given the limited success rate and considerable challenges associated with conventional ultrasonography (US) guidance for percutaneous nephrostomy (PCN) in non-hydronephrotic kidneys, this study proposed a solution with ultrasound contrast agent to enhance the success rate and mitigate the difficulties. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 2017 to August 2023, a total of thirteen patients diagnosed with non-hydronephrotic kidney were included in the study. Following routine ultrasonography examination, no significant dilatation of the renal collecting system was observed. US-guided percutaneous nephrostomy PCN was performed with the assistance of ultrasound contrast agent (UCA). The patients were subsequently monitored to assess the improvement of symptoms and postoperative recovery. RESULTS: The success rate was found to be 100% for all patients (13/13) and kidneys (20/20). The average volume of UCA solution used was 19 ± 6.7 mL (range, 11-35 mL), while the mean duration of the operation was 18.92 ± 8.96 min (range, 7-36 min). A majority of the patients (12/13) underwent a single puncture procedure. Throughout the follow-up period, no serious complications were observed, and surgery resulted in significant alleviation of symptoms in all patients. CONCLUSION: The use of UCA-assisted US guidance PCN has been shown to be effective in achieving urinary diversion and alleviating associated clinical symptoms in non-hydronephrotic kidneys. In comparison to traditional methods, this approach demonstrates a high success rate and safety profile, while also offering a simplified operative procedure. Consequently, it presents a novel method and concept for managing non-hydronephrotic kidneys afflicted by urine leakage.

Investigation of Additive-Manufactured Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Polyethylene Terephthalate Honeycomb for Application as Non-Pneumatic Tire Support Structure.

A non-pneumatic tire (NPT) overcomes the shortcomings of a traditional pneumatic tire such as wear, punctures and blowouts. In this respect, it shows great potential in improving driving safety, and has received great attention in recent years. In this paper, a carbon fiber-reinforced polyethylene terephthalate (PET/CF) honeycomb is proposed as a support structure for NPTs, which can be easily prepared using 3D printing technology. The experimental results showed that the PET/CF has high strength and modulus and provides excellent mechanical properties. Then, a finite element (FE) model was established to predict the compression performance of auxetic honeycombs. Good agreement was achieved between the experimental data and FE analysis. The influence of the cell parameters on the compressive performance of the support structure were further analyzed. Both the wall thickness and the vertically inclined angle could modulate the mechanical performance of the NPT. Finally, the application of vertical force is used to analyze the static load of the structure. The PET/CF honeycomb as the support structure of the NPT showed outstanding bearing capacity and stiffness in contrast with elastomer counterparts. Consequently, this study broadens the material selection for NPTs and proposes a strategy for manufacturing a prototype, which provides a reference for the design and development of non-pneumatic tires.