Influence of power generation period on the oily sludge bio-electrical system.

The single-chamber bio-electrical systems can degrade oily sludge in sediments while generating electricity from the microbial fuel cells (MFCs) and their characteristics in energy and environmental effects have attracted wide international attention in recent years. To explore the influence of the power generation period on the oily sludge bio-electrical system, an oily sludge bio-electrical system was constructed. The output voltage, polarization curve, power density curve, crude oil removal rate and microflora were detected during different power generation periods, respectively. The results of this study showed that under the stable power generation period, the power generation and oily sludge degradation performance of MFC are higher than the voltage rise period and voltage attenuation period. Besides, the oily sludge bio-electrical system during the stable period contained more electricity-producing bacteria than the other two periods. The voltage in the stable period of oily sludge bio-electrical system is about 280 mV, the electromotive force is 493.1 mV and the power density is 134.93 mW·m-3. It lays a foundation for the improvement of degradation of crude oil and power generation performance in oily sludge bio-electrical system.

RAB40C gene polymorphisms rs62030917 and rs2269556 are associated with an increased risk of lumbar disc herniation development in the Chinese Han population.

BACKGROUND: Lumbar disc herniation (LDH) places a serious burden on the daily lives and socioeconomics of people. Although the pathogenesis of LDH is complex, genetic factors such as single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) may affect the risk of developing LDH. In the present study, we aimed to elucidate the effect of RAB40C SNPs on the risk of LDH in the Chinese Han population. METHODS: We investigated 508 LDH cases and 508 healthy controls for this case-control study. Three tag SNPs in RAB40C were selected and genotyped using the Agena MassARRAY platform (Agena Bioscience, San Diego, CA, USA). After adjusting for age and gender, odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using unconditional logistic regression. RESULTS: In the allele model, we found rs62030917 and rs2269556 in RAB40C with a minor G allele significantly increased the risk of LDH (rs62030917: OR = 1.23, 95% CI = 1.00-1.50, p = 0.046; rs2269556: OR = 1.21, 95% CI = 1.02-1.45, p = 0.033). In genetic model analysis, rs2269556 was associated with an increased risk of LDH under both codominant (OR = 1.49, 95% CI = 1.03-2.15, p = 0.035) and log-additive models (OR = 1.21, 95% CI = 1.01-1.45, p = 0.035). rs62030917 of RAB40C was associated with an increased risk of LDH under codominant, recessive and log-additive models (p < 0.05) only among individuals younger than 49 years after stratification by age. CONCLUSIONS: For the first time, our results suggest that rs62030917 and rs2269556 in the RAB40C gene influence genetic susceptibility to LDH.

Improvement in JOA Score of Treatment for Complex Atlas-Axis fractures.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to explore the role of treatment for complex Atlas-Axis fractures, and compare the JOA score of surgical and conservation methods. METHODOLOGY: From June 2008 to May 2012, 33 patients suffering from Atlas-Axis fracture were included in our study. Fifteen patients received posterior cervical pedicle screw fixation, and 18 patients received the conservation treatment. All the patients were followed up for 12 months after discharge. RESULTS: The mean operative time was about 128 minutes (ranged: 92 to 165 minutes), the mean hospital stay time was 15.5 days (ranged: 8-21 days), and the mean follow-up of all the patients was 27months (ranged: 7 to 43 months). All patients gained a solid fusion, and no one showed any disability at the end of the follow-up. The JOA scores before treatment were 6.4±0.3 and 7.1±0.4 before and after treatment, and they significantly increased to 13.8±0.8 and 13.7±0.9 when following up for 12 months (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Posterior cervical pedicle screw fixation is a feasible, effective and safe method for complex atlantoaxial fractures. This technique could achieve high JOA score, decreased blood loss and post-operative complications.

Knockdown of NCAPG promotes the apoptosis and inhibits the invasion and migration of triple­negative breast cancer MDA­MB­231 cells via regulation of EGFR/JAK/STAT3 signaling.

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most aggressive subtype of breast cancer and the treatment options are extremely limited. Non-SMC condensing I complex subunit G (NCAPG) expression is upregulated in TNBC, but its specific regulatory mechanism in TNBC has not been previously reported. The expression levels of NCAPG in TNBC were analyzed using data obtained from the UALCAN database. RT-qPCR and western blotting were used to detect the expression of NCAPG in various breast cancer cell lines. The expression of NCAPG was knocked down, and cell viability was then detected using a CCK-8 assay, apoptosis was detected using a TUNEL assay, and the expression of the apoptosis-related proteins Bcl-2, Bax and Bad were detected by western blotting. Wound healing and Transwell assays were used to assess migration and invasion. Western blotting was also used to determine the expression levels of migration and invasion-related proteins MMP2 and MMP9, as well as EGFR/JAK/STAT3 pathway-related proteins. Following exogenous treatment with EGF and the JAK/STAT3 signaling pathway agonist colivelin, cell viability, apoptosis, invasion and migration were assessed. The expression of NCAPG in TNBC MDA-MB-231 cells was significantly increased. Inhibition of NCAPG inhibited the activity, promoted apoptosis, and inhibited the invasion and migration of TNBC MDA-MB-231 cells, potentially via regulation of the EGFR/JAK/STAT3 signaling pathway. In conclusion, downregulation of NCAPG can promote apoptosis and inhibit invasion and migration of TNBC MDA-MB-231 cells via EGFR/JAK/STAT3 signaling.

The protective effects of nesfatin-1 in neurological dysfunction after spinal cord injury by inhibiting neuroinflammation.

AIMS: Spinal cord injury (SCI) is one of the most severe neurological diseases. However, there is still no effective treatment for it. Nesfatin, a precursor neuropeptide derived from nucleobindin 2 (NUCB2), has displayed a wide range of protective effects in different types of cells and tissue. However, the effects of nesfatin-1 in SCI have not been reported before. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A SCI model was established. The behavior of mice was assessed using the Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan (BBB) assessment. RESULTS: Here, we report that the administration of nesfatin-1 improved neurological recovery in SCI mice by increasing BBB scores, reducing lesion area volume and spinal cord water content. Also, nesfatin-1 ameliorated oxidative stress by reducing reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and increasing superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. We also found that nesfatin-1 prevented neuronal apoptosis in SCI mice by reducing caspase 3 activity and the expression of Bax, as well as increasing B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2). Additionally, nesfatin-1 reduced the levels of interleukin 6 (IL-6), interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). Nesfatin-1 also promoted microglia towards M2 polarization by increasing the marker CD206 but reducing CD16. Importantly, nesfatin-1 enhanced the phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1) but reduced the expression levels of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and phosphorylated nuclear factor kappa-B p65 (p-NF-κB p65). CONCLUSION: Our findings imply that nesfatin-1 exerts neuroprotective actions in SCI by promoting the activation of M2 microglia, and its underlying mechanisms might be related to the activation of STAT1 and inhibition of the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway.

The oil removal and the characteristics of changes in the composition of bacteria based on the oily sludge bioelectrochemical system.

Microbial fuel cell (MFC) technology is a simple way to accelerate the treatment of the oily sludge which is a major problem affecting the quality of oil fields and surrounding environment while generating electricity. To investigate the oil removal and the characteristics of changes in the composition of bacteria, sediment microbial fuel cells (SMFCs) supplemented with oily sludge was constructed. The results showed that the degradation efficiency of total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) of SMFC treatment was 10.1 times higher than the common anaerobic degradation. In addition, the degradation rate of n-alkanes followed the order of high carbon number > low carbon number > medium carbon number. The odd-even alkane predominance (OEP) increased, indicating that a high contribution of even alkanes whose degradation predominates. The OUT number, Shannon index, AEC index, and Chao1 index of the sludge treated with SMFC (YN2) are greater than those of the original sludge (YN1), showing that the microbial diversity of sludge increased after SMFC treatment. After SMFC treatment the relative abundance of Chloroflexi, Bacteroidia and Pseudomonadales which are essential for the degradation of the organic matter and electricity production increased significantly in YN2. These results will play a crucial role in improving the performance of oily sludge MFC.

A risk score model for the prediction of osteosarcoma metastasis.

Osteosarcoma is the most common primary solid malignancy of the bone, and its high mortality usually correlates with early metastasis. In this study, we developed a risk score model to help predict metastasis at the time of diagnosis. We downloaded and mined four expression profile datasets associated with osteosarcoma metastasis from the Gene Expression Omnibus. After data normalization, we performed LASSO logistic regression analysis together with 10-fold cross validation using the GSE21257 dataset. A combination of eight genes (RAB1,CLEC3B,FCGBP,RNASE3,MDL1,ALOX5AP,VMO1 and ALPK3) were identified as being associated with osteosarcoma metastasis. These genes were put into a gene risk score model, and the prediction efficiency of the model was then validated using three independent datasets (GSE33383, GSE66673, and GSE49003) by plotting receiver operating characteristic curves. The expression levels of the eight genes in all datasets were shown as heatmaps, and gene ontology gene annotation and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analysis were performed. These eight genes play a role in cancer-related biological processes, such as apoptosis and biosynthetic processes. Our results may aid in elucidating the possible mechanisms of osteosarcoma metastasis, and may help to facilitate the individual management of patients with osteosarcoma after treatment.

SDF-1/CXCR4 signaling up-regulates survivin to regulate human sacral chondrosarcoma cell cycle and epithelial-mesenchymal transition via ERK and PI3K/AKT pathway.

Human sacral chondrosarcoma, the most common one of malignant tumors, has a potent capacity to invade locally and metastasize. Notably, CXCR4 and survivin are widely recommended as a candidate of the molecule-targeted therapy. However, the roles and associations of CXCR4 and survivin in sacral chondrosarcoma have not been well characterized. Here, we investigated CXCR4 and survivin expression in human sacral chondrosarcoma. Resected sacral chondrosarcoma specimens were available from 30 patients. In vitro human chondrosarcoma cell lines SW1353 was used. Immunohistochemistry, Western blot, RNA interference, and cell cycle analyses were conducted. Immunohistochemistry revealed that CXCR4 and survivin expressed in 83.3 and 86.7 % of sacral chondrosarcoma tissues, respectively, and both were closely associated with grade and recurrence (p < 0.05). Western blot revealed that survivin expression in SW1353 increased in a dose- and time-dependent manner following SDF-1 treatment. However, the interference with MEK/ERK and PI3K/AKT pathway affected SDF-1-induced up-regulation of survivin. Besides survivin siRNA affected cell cycle progression and the expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) biomarkers: Snail and N-cadherin, when compared with those of non-transfection. In conclusion, the present study shows that SDF-1/CXCR4 signaling up-regulates survivin via MEK/ERK and PI3K/AKT pathway, leading to cell cycle and EMT occurrence in human sacral chondrosarcoma. The antagonizing of CXCR4 and/or survivin might benefit patients with sacral chondrosarcoma.

Glucocorticoids induce apoptosis by inhibiting microRNA cluster miR­17­92 expression in chondrocytic cells.

Sustained treatment with glucocorticoids (GCs) has frequently been observed to impair skeletal development. However, the influence of GCs on chondrocytes, which have a key role in skeletal development, has been rarely reported. HCS­2/8 cells were selected as an in vitro model of human chondrocytes to assess the apoptosis induced by GCs and determine the role of the microRNA­17­92 (miR­17­92) cluster in the regulation of apoptosis. It was demonstrated that dexamethasone (Dex) was able to induce apoptosis and high levels of expression of apoptosis­associated molecules in HCS­2/8 chondrocytic cells, and that expression of the miR­17­92 cluster was inhibited during Dex­induced apoptosis. In conclusion, the present study suggested that inhibition of the expression of the miR­17­92 cluster contributed to the Dex­induced apoptosis in chondrocytes. The results suggest that microRNAs have an important role in glucocorticoid­induced impairment to chondrocytes.

Dexamethasone reduces ATDC5 chondrocyte cell viability by inducing autophagy.

Prolonged use of glucocorticoids (GCs) for the treatment of chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases commonly exerts various side-effects, including impairment of skeletal development. However, the effect of GCs on chondrocytes, which play a key role in skeletal development, has been rarely reported. In the present study, autophagy was induced in the ATDC5 chondrocyte cell line following treatment with dexamethasone (Dex) at doses of 1­100 µM, and that this effect can be inhibited by RU486, a GC antagonist. Autophagy induced by the highest Dex dose (100 µM) was associated with a reduction in ATDC5 cell viability. We conclude that high doses of GC can reduce ATDC5 chondrocyte cell viability by inducing autophagy.

[Function reconstruction of anterior and middle column in thoracolumbar spinal tuberculosis by one-stage anterior radical debridement].

OBJECTIVE: To summarize the effect of one-stage anterior debridement of infection in function reconstruction of anterior and middle column for the treatment of thoracolumbar spinal tuberculosis. METHODS: From January 2001 to January 2007, 65 patients with thoracolumbar spinal tuberculosis were treated with one-stage anterior debridement, decompression, autogenous bone grafts and internal fixation. There were 43 males and 22 females with an average age of 40.2 years (range, 19-64 years), including 18 cases of thoracic tuberculosis (T(4-l0)), 44 cases of thoracolumbar tuberculosis (T11-L2) and 3 cases of lumbar tuberculosis (L(3-5)). The disease course was 3 months to 10 years (median 10 months). One segment was involved in 7 cases, two segments in 54 cases and three segments in 4 cases. In 14 cases with spinal cord injury, there were 5 cases of grade C and 9 cases of grade D according to Frankel classification. The kyphotic Cobb angle was 20-65 degrees (41 degrees on average). RESULTS: The operative time was 120-210 minutes (170 minutes on average), and the blood loss was 300-1500 mL (600 mL on average). Fifty-eight patients were followed up for 1-6 years (23 months on average). Abscess occurred in 2 cases at 40 days and 3 months, and healed after symptomatic management. The other incisions achieved healing by first intention. The X-ray films showed bony fusion 4-12 months (6 months on average) after operation. No tuberculosis recurred. At 12 months after operation, pain disappeared, and there were 7 cases of grade D and 7 cases of grade E according to Frankel classification. The kyphotic Cobb angle was 0-33 degrees (24 degrees on average), showing statistically significant difference (P < 0.05) when compared with preoperation. CONCLUSION: Early reconstruction of load-bearing function and stability of anterior and middle column in the treatment of spinal tuberculosis is great significant. The application of one-stage anterior surgery with debridement, decompression, autogenous bone grafts and internal fixation in the operative treatment of thoracolumbar tuberculosis is safe and effective after a rigorous anti-tuberculosis treatment.

[Combination of intensified anti-tuberculosis with operation for treatment of thoracolumbar tuberculosis].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical significance of the combination of intensified anti-tuberculosis treatment, posterior transpedicular screw system internal fixation, intertransverse bone grafting, and anterior approach focus debridement for the treatment of thoracolumbar tuberculosis. METHODS: From January 2005 to December 2007, 20 patients with thoracolumbar tuberculosis (T10-L3) were treated. There were 13 males and 7 females aged 21-64 years old (average 44 years old). The course of disease was 3 months to 3 years (average 10 months). The focus involved single vertebrae bodies in 8 cases, two vertebrae bodies in 9 cases, and three vertebrae bodies in 3 cases. The preoperative Cobb angle was 9-35 degrees (average 26.7 degrees). The neurological function was evaluated according to the Frankel grading criterion, there were 2 cases of grade B, 5 of grade C, 7 of grade D, and 6 of grade E. Vertebral body defect index score: 9 cases of 1-2 points, 7 cases of 2-3 points, and 4 cases above 3 points. After receiving the systemic five-drug treatment of anti-tuberculosis for 2-3 weeks, the patients underwent the posterior transpedicular screw system internal fixation and intertransverse bone grafting, and then received tuberculosis focus debridement via anterior approach, nerve decompression, and bone grafting fusion. RESULTS: The time of operation averaged 210 minutes and the mean blood loss during operation was 650 mL. Postoperatively, 2 patients had mild belting sensation in their thorax and 2 patients had mild pneumothorax. Their symptoms relieved 2-3 weeks later without specific treatment. All the patients were followed up for 12-23 months. X-ray films showed that all the patients achieved successful bony fusion 6-18 months after operation, and the Cobb angle was 7-21 degrees (average 15.2 degrees) 12 months after operation without aggravation. The Frankel grading system was used to assess the postoperative neurological function, 1 patient in grade B before operation was improved to grade C after operation, 1 patient in grade B was improved to grade D, 1 patient in grade C was improved to grade D, 4 patients in grade B were improved to grade E, and 7 patients in grade D were improved to grade E. All of the incisions healed and erythrocyte sedimentation rate became normal 2 weeks to 3 months after operation. All the patients showed no obvious abnormity in liver and kidney function. There was no recurrence of tuberculosis. CONCLUSION: It seems that the systemic drug treatment of anti-tuberculosis before and after operation, the thorough debridement of focus during operation, and the effective and reliable way to reconstruct for the spinal stability are the key points for the treatment of spinal tuberculosis.

[Pedicle screw fixation and allograft bone in posterior spinal fusion for treatment of thoracolumbar vertebral fractures].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy of the pedicle screw fixation and allograft bone in posterior spinal fusion for the treatment of thoracolumbar vertebral fractures. METHODS: From September 2006 to March 2008, 105 cases of thoracolumbar vertebral fractures were treated with allograft bone in posterior spinal fusion after the pedicle screw fixation, including 75 males and 30 males aged 15-65 years (mean 37 years). The mixture which consisted of spinous process and vertebral plate sclerotin and homogeneity variant bone was used as bone graft to implant into articular process and processus transversus space or vertebral plate space. The time from injury to surgery varied from 8 hours to 21 days, with an average of 3 days. There were 52 cases of falling injuries from height, 35 cases of traffic accident injuries, 11 cases of bruise injuries and 7 cases of tumbling injuries. Before operation, the primary clinical symptoms of patients included local pain combined with limitation of activity, 30 cases complicated by various degrees of spinal cord and nerve root functional disturbance. According to Mcaffee classification, there were 7 cases of flexion depressed fractures, 86 cases of blow-out fractures, 9 cases of Chance fractures and 3 cases of dislocation-fracture. According to Frankel grade, there were 11 cases of grade A, 2 cases of grade B, 7 cases of grade C, 10 cases of grade D and 75 cases of grade E. The X-ray examination of all patients denoted that the bodies of injured vertebra were compressed and wedge-shaped, and the CT scan showed that 98 cases had spinal stenosis. After 2 weeks and 3, 6, 12 months, the X-ray films were taken to evaluate bone graft fusion. The Cobb angle was measured. The recovery of nerve function was analyzed. RESULTS: The operation time was 55-180 minutes (mean 90 minutes) and the blood loss was 100-900 mL (mean 200 mL). All patients achieved healing by first intention with no complication. After operation, 93 cases were followed up for 6-15 months with an average of 11 months. Except for 11 patients who were at grade A before operation, one to two grade recover was observed in other patients. The average Cobb angle of injury segment was improved from preoperative 32.1 degrees to postoperative 5.2 degrees. The height of anterior border of injured vertebral body was recovered from the preoperative average compressed remaining height 61.5% to postoperative 96.8%. The vestigial degree of canalis spinalis anteroposterior diameter was recovered from preoperative 65.7% to postoperative 89.9%. Imageology examination showed that all the patient achieved bone union within 6 months. The fusion rate of bone graft in spinal fusion was 100%. No loosening and breaking of nails occurred. CONCLUSION: Pedicle fixators can restore and fix the thoracolumbar fractures, and the combination of autograft and allograft bone transplantation is a safe, reliable and effective method.