Spontaneous Resolution of Ear Lidding in Newborns: A Prospective Observational Cohort Study.

ABSTRACT: Ear lidding is a cosmetic outer ear shape deformity commonly observed in newborns. Although lidding is considered a benign condition, psychological concerns such as bullying and depression have been observed in older children supporting correction of the condition. Nonsurgical correction of lidding using molding and splinting techniques has become increasingly popular, achieving successful outcomes in the majority of cases. Spontaneous resolution of the condition has also been reported in the literature however there is minimal prospective data available on the natural progression of ear lidding. In our case series of 11 closely followed newborns, we aimed to characterize the natural progression and resolution of lidding. Ten consecutive newborns participated in the observation plan and all 10 had complete spontaneous resolution of lidding within an average of 40 days. One other newborn's parents self-selected to have molding and splinting treatment. These results suggest that cosmetic treatment for less severe cases of ear lidding may be unnecessary as they have the potential to resolve on their own. Future research in this area could include controlled study designs and more work is needed to identify, which infants will require treatment. Our study may provide helpful reassurance to families and physicians that many newborns may see complete resolution of lidding without intervention.

Broadband reflective lens in visible band based on aluminum plasmonic metasurface.

We demonstrate a flat optical lens based on plasmonic reflectarray metasurface, which consists of a planar array of hyperbolic-shaped aluminum (Al) nanoantenna separated from an Al ground plane by a SiO2 spacer. The gradual change in the width of the Al nanoantenna enables unique broadband (400-700 nm) to focus on the visible band because of its hyperbolic reflection-phase profile. The focal length of metalens is quickly decreased with the increase of wavelength in the short wavelength region (400-550 nm), compensating the chromatic aberration in traditional lenses. In long wavelength region (550-700 nm), the focal length has only a slight change, thereby minimizing chromatic aberration. Furthermore, the proposed metalens creates a small focal spot beyond diffraction limit, while maintaining high focusing efficiency. Our method of simple and anisotropic nanoantenna is used to realize wide phase tuning range offers a novel strategy to design braodband metalens, and our metalens has widespread applications in compact camera, telescope, and microscope.

Identification and verification of feature biomarkers associated with immune cells in recurrent pregnancy loss.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the causes, diagnostic markers, and treatment methods for recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) using bioinformatics approaches. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Bioinformatics methods were utilized to analyze gene expression databases to identify key genes and modules associated with RPL. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was employed to identify gene sets related to maternal-fetal immunity. Gene set variation analysis (GSVA) and protein-protein interaction networks were used to explore signaling pathways and molecular interactions in RPL. Immune cell infiltration was assessed using single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA). RESULTS: Thirteen genes were identified as potential diagnostic markers, some of which were involved in placental amino acid transport, glucose absorption, and reactive oxygen species production. Several gene sets related to protein transport, steroid synthesis, and glycosaminoglycan degradation were found to be associated with RPL. Immune cell infiltration analysis found that CD56bright NK cells and monocytes showed significantly increased infiltration in RPL and were associated with key hub genes. The validation of hub genes, including PCSK5, CCND2, SLC5A3, RASAL1, MYZAP, MFAP4, and P2RY14, as potential diagnostic markers, showed promising value. CONCLUSIONS: This study contributes to a better understanding of the etiology of RPL and potential diagnostic markers. The identified immune-related gene sets, signaling pathways, and immune cell infiltrations provide valuable insights for future research and therapeutic advancements in RPL.

[Epidemiological characteristics of Brucella species isolated from different regions of the world using the MLVA genotyping].

Objective: To study the molecular-epidemiological characteristics of Brucella species isolated from different countries, using the multiple locus tandem-repeat (MLVA) analysis. Methods: Eleven variable-number tandem-repeat (VNTR) loci were selected. VNTR strains of Brucella isolated from 48 different countries in 1953-2013, were analyzed by using the BioNumerics software. Unweighted Paired Arithmetic Average method was used to cluster and draw phylogenetic tree as well as the minimum spannin. Results: The evolutionary relationship of Brucella phylogenetic tree was consistent with the classical biological typing method. However, the Brucella suis biovar 5 strains were different from the other Brucella suis biovars 1, 2, 3 and 4. Brucella ceti strains were divided into two parts and different from each other. Worldwide epidemics of brucellosis were emerged from 2005 to 2008 under the MLVA11 Orsay analysis. China has been a brucellosis-prone regions, with Brucella melitensis as the main epidemic Brucella species, followed by Brucella abortus. Brucella suis was mainly identified in the southern provinces, but Brucella canis was mainly found in dogs. No human cases were found. Conclusion: Molecular-epidemiological characteristics of the Brucella strains were related to factors as time, region and hosts of isolation, which are important to setting up prevention and control programs on brucellosis.

Outcomes in HIV-infected patients who develop tuberculosis after starting antiretroviral treatment in Malawi.

A retrospective review was conducted of patients starting antiretroviral treatment (ART) at Mzuzu Central Hospital, Malawi, to identify those who developed tuberculosis (TB) within 6 months of commencing ART and document their treatment outcomes. Of 2933 patients, 22 (0.75%) developed active TB, 17 (77%) of whom had commenced ART as a result of unexplained weight loss and/or fever. Of those who developed TB, 41% successfully completed anti-tuberculosis treatment, with lower survival probabilities than patients who did not develop TB. Easier methods are needed to diagnose TB in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients and to prevent patients from developing TB while on ART.

RETRACTED: Aberrant Sialylation in Cancer Pathology and Metastasis, a Putative Drug Target Candidate

The article entitled "Aberrant Sialylation in Cancer Pathology and Metastasis, a Putative Drug Target Candidate", by Lu D.Y., Lu T.R., Xu B., Varki A., Huang M., Zhu H., Shen Y., Yarla N.S., has been retracted on the request of the co-authors Dr. Ajit Varki, Ming Huang, Hong Zhu and Ying Shen available at: Anticancer Agents Med Chem. 2018; 18(14): 1952-1961. http://www.eurekaselect.com/165282. The Corresponding Author Dr. Da-Yong Lu has included the name of the co-author Dr. Ajit Varki, Dr. Nagendra Yarla, Ming Huang, Hong Zhu and Ying Shen without their consent and the manuscript has been published in the journal Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry (ACAMC). Kindly see Bentham Science Policy on Article retraction at the link given below: https://benthamscience.com/journals/anti-cancer-agents-in-medicinal-chemistry/editorial-policies/). Submission of a manuscript to the respective journals implies that all authors have read and agreed to the content of the Copyright Letter or the Terms and Conditions. As such this article represents a severe abuse of the scientific publishing system. Bentham Science Publishers takes a very strong view on this matter and apologizes to the readers of the journal for any inconvenience this may cause.

YC-1 attenuates LPS-induced proinflammatory responses and activation of nuclear factor-kappaB in microglia.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: An inflammatory response in the central nervous system mediated by the activation of microglia is a key event in the early stages of the development of neurodegenerative diseases. LPS has been reported to cause marked microglia activation. It is very important to develop drugs that can inhibit microglia activation and neuroinflammation. Here, we investigated the inhibitory effect of YC-1, a known activator of soluble guanylyl cyclase, against LPS-induced inflammatory responses in microglia. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: To understand the inhibitory effects of YC-1 on LPS-induced neuroinflammation, primary cultures of rat microglia and the microglia cell line BV-2 were used. To examine the mechanism of action of YC-1, LPS-induced nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production, iNOS, COX-2 and cytokine expression were analyzed by Griess reaction, ELISA, Western blotting and RT-PCR, respectively. The effect of YC-1 on LPS-induced activation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB) was studied by NF-kappaB reporter assay and immunofluorocytochemistry. KEY RESULTS: YC-1 inhibited LPS-induced production of NO and PGE2 in a concentration-dependent manner. The protein and mRNA expression of iNOS and COX-2 in response to LPS application were also decreased by YC-1. In addition, YC-1 effectively reduced LPS-induced expression of the mRNA for the proinflammatory cytokines, TNF-alpha and IL-1beta. Furthermore, YC-1 inhibited LPS-induced NF-kappaB activation in microglia. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: YC-1 was able to inhibit LPS-induced iNOS and COX-2 expression and NF-kappaB activation, indicating that YC-1 may be developed as an anti-inflammatory neuroprotective agent.

MiR-181b modulates EGFR-dependent VCAM-1 expression and monocyte adhesion in glioblastoma.

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) originate as circulating monocytes, and are recruited to gliomas, where they facilitate tumor growth and migration. Understanding the interaction between TAM and cancer cells may identify therapeutic targets for glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). Vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) is a cytokine-induced adhesion molecule expressed on the surface of cancer cells, which is involved in interactions with immune cells. Analysis of the glioma patient database and tissue immunohistochemistry showed that VCAM-1 expression correlated with the clinico-pathological grade of gliomas. Here, we found that VCAM-1 expression correlated positively with monocyte adhesion to GBM, and knockdown of VCAM-1 abolished the enhancement of monocyte adhesion. Importantly, upregulation of VCAM-1 is dependent on epidermal-growth-factor-receptor (EGFR) expression, and inhibition of EGFR effectively reduced VCAM-1 expression and monocyte adhesion activity. Moreover, GBM possessing higher EGFR levels (U251 cells) had higher VCAM-1 levels compared to GBMs with lower levels of EGFR (GL261 cells). Using two- and three-dimensional cultures, we found that monocyte adhesion to GBM occurs via integrin α4ß1, which promotes tumor growth and invasion activity. Increased proliferation and tumor necrosis factor-α and IFN-γ levels were also observed in the adherent monocytes. Using a genetic modification approach, we demonstrated that VCAM-1 expression and monocyte adhesion were regulated by the miR-181 family, and lower levels of miR-181b correlated with high-grade glioma patients. Our results also demonstrated that miR-181b/protein phosphatase 2A-modulated SP-1 de-phosphorylation, which mediated the EGFR-dependent VCAM-1 expression and monocyte adhesion to GBM. We also found that the EGFR-dependent VCAM-1 expression is mediated by the p38/STAT3 signaling pathway. Our study suggested that VCAM-1 is a critical modulator of EGFR-dependent interaction of monocytes with GBM, which raises the possibility of developing effective and improved therapies for GBM.

Human arterial surface fluorescence: atherosclerotic plaque identification and effects of laser atheroma ablation.

In vivo plaque recognition may be important for safe and precise intra-arterial atheroma ablation during laser coronary angioplasty. This study examined the feasibility and sensitivity of utilizing quantitative fluorescence spectroscopy and video-enhanced fluorescence imaging for plaque identification in atherosclerotic human necropsy arterial wall before and after laser atheroma ablation. With wide-band (450 to 490 nm) blue light excitation, the 540 nm fluorescence intensity ratio of normal to diseased sites (n = 13) was 2.09 +/- 0.82 (p less than 0.001) and video fluorescence imaging provided enhanced delineation of atheroma surface characteristics. Continuous argon and pulsed excimer (308 nm) laser ablation of atheroma decreased fluorescence intensity ratios by 42 and 20% (p less than 0.001), respectively (that is, from abnormal to nearly normal). Low power 325 nm laser-excited fluorescence spectroscopy from normal (n = 115) and abnormal (n = 146) necropsy sites revealed an average 45% decrease in atheroma fluorescence intensity (p less than 0.0001) and changes in fluorescence spectra appearance that corresponded to plaque morphologic subtypes. Studies using a dual laser system combining 325 nm laser-excited fluorescence plaque recognition and a 480 nm pulsed dye laser for tissue ablation with common optical fibers demonstrated normalization of both fluorescence intensity and spectra appearance after laser atheroma ablation. Thus, in vitro analysis of surface arterial fluorescence by quantitative spectroscopy and video fluorescence imaging reliably differentiate plaque from normal tissue and may provide the feedback signal needed to activate a laser source for selective plaque removal.

Pulsed laser and thermal ablation of atherosclerotic plaque: morphometrically defined surface thrombogenicity in studies using an annular perfusion chamber.

Although clinical trials using laser and thermal angioplasty devices have been underway, the effects of pulsed laser and thermal ablation of atherosclerotic plaque on surface thrombogenicity are poorly understood. This study examined the changes in platelet adherence and thrombus formation on freshly harvested atherosclerotic aorta segments from Watanabe-heritable hyperlipidemic rabbits after ablation by two pulsed laser sources (308-nm xenon chloride excimer and 2,940-nm erbium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet [YAG] lasers) and a prototype catalytic hot-tip catheter. Specimens were placed in a modified Baumgartner annular chamber and perfused with citrated whole human blood, followed by quantitative morphometric analysis to determine the percent surface coverage by adherent platelets and thrombi in the treated and contiguous control areas. Pulsed excimer laser ablation of plaque did not change platelet adherence or thrombus formation in the treated versus control zones. However, photothermal plaque ablation with a pulsed erbium:YAG laser resulted in a 67% reduction in platelet adherence, compared with levels in control areas (from 16.7 +/- 2.2% to 5.5 +/- 1.8%; p less than 0.005). Similarly, after plaque ablation using a catalytic thermal angioplasty device, there was a 74% reduction in platelet adherence (from 29.2 +/- 5.1% to 7.7 +/- 1.6%; p less than 0.005) and a virtual absence of platelet thrombi (from 8.6 +/- 2.3% to 0.03 +/- 0.03%; p less than 0.005). This reduced surface thrombogenicity after plaque ablation with either an erbium:YAG laser or a catalytic hot-tip catheter suggests that thermal modifications in the arterial surface ultrastructure or thermal denaturation of surface proteins, or both, may be responsible for reduced platelet adherence. These in vitro findings indicate that controlled thermal plaque ablation by catheter-based techniques may elicit endovascular responses that can reduce early thrombus formation during angioplasty procedures.

Electrical thermal angioplasty: catheter design features, in vitro tissue ablation studies and in vivo experimental findings.

A prototype electrical thermal tip catheter has been developed for ablation of atherosclerotic plaques. The operating principle is based on establishing an electric arc between a central electrode and the inside of an enclosing metallic tip to convert electrical energy to thermal energy. The metal tip catheter can be heated rapidly and boils water in a saline bath with less than 1 W of power. In vitro studies, using human atherosclerotic aortic segments, demonstrated that effective tissue ablation required more power in saline than in air (more than 9 W vs less than 1 W). The rate of tissue ablation varied with the amount of power delivered and the catheter tip pressure against tissue. In a saline field, 2-mm thickness aortic wall segments were consistently perforated in 3 seconds when 15 W of power and 20 g/mm2 of pressure were applied. Using an atherosclerotic rabbit, in vivo electrical thermal angioplasty (3 W of power for 10-second treatment sequences) was performed in obstructed iliofemoral vessels after mechanical recanalization was attempted. Of the 7 vessels that were more than 50% narrowed (compared with contiguous normal vessel diameter), mechanical recanalization was effective in only 1, but thermal angioplasty resulting in an increased lumen diameter was successful in 6 others. The recanalized segments were 8 to 10 cm; gross morphologic and histologic examination of recanalized vessels demonstrated little or no thermal injury. In addition, significant cholesterol-laden plaques remained in the vessel lumen, which appeared to have been compressed and displaced laterally.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effects of high-density lipoprotein on acetylcholine-induced coronary vasoreactivity.

Recent evidence suggests that high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol has important vasoactive properties which may contribute to its beneficial effects on atherosclerotic coronary artery disease. The endothelium-dependent vasodilator acetylcholine has been used in a number of experimental studies to assess endothelial function. The relation between serum lipoproteins and acetylcholine-induced coronary vasoreactivity was investigated in patients (n = 27) undergoing elective coronary arteriography. Mean serum cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels were 189 +/- 7 (4.84 +/- 0.18 mmol/liter), 134 +/- 6 (3.47 +/- 0.15 mmol/liter), 41 +/- 3 (1.06 +/- 0.08 mmol/liter) and 106 +/- 30 mg/dl (1.20 +/- 0.03 mmol/liter), respectively. After a baseline arteriogram, acetylcholine was infused into the left main coronary artery and percent change from baseline dimension was determined in 27 angiographically smooth coronary artery segments and in 14 arterial segments with evidence of mild atherosclerotic disease. Intact vascular smooth muscle function was then confirmed in all segments by dilation to intracoronary nitroglycerin. Acetylcholine produced significant vasoconstriction of both angiographically smooth (13 +/- 4%, p less than 0.05 vs baseline) and diseased (19 +/- 4%, p less than 0.05 vs baseline) coronary segments. A positive correlation was observed between HDL cholesterol and normal acetylcholine-induced coronary vasoreactivity in both angiographically smooth (r = 0.59, p less than 0.001) and diseased (r = 0.62, p less than 0.02) coronary segments. No significant correlation was observed, however, between total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, or between total cholesterol to HDL ratio and the response of coronary artery diameter to acetylcholine infusion.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Platelet adherence and thrombus formation with flowing human blood on atherosclerotic plaque: reduced thrombogenicity of Watanabe-heritable hyperlipidemic rabbit aortic subendothelium.

Platelet adherence and aggregation are important in the development of ischemic sequelae in atherosclerosis. To directly examine platelet interaction with plaque, everted, deendothelialized aortic fibrous plaques from Watanabe-heritable hyperlipidemic rabbits were exposed to flowing human blood in an annular perfusion chamber. Morphometry was used to compare platelet adherence and thrombi on this surface with that observed when blood was perfused over normal New Zealand White (NZW) rabbit aortic subendothelium. Platelet spreading, adherence, and thrombi on the atherosclerotic surface were approximately half that observed on NZW aorta. When surface proteins of NZW aorta were denatured by a hot-tip catheter, these parameters were reduced by 89-96%. The reduced thrombogenicity of uncomplicated plaques may help keep these narrowed vessels patent, while fissure, rupture, or hemorrhagic dissection of plaque may precipitate occlusive thrombosis.

A new experimental and clinical approach of combining usage of highly active tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and highly sensitive antitumor drugs for the advanced malignant tumor.

In recent years, tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) have been reported to be effective for tumors in experimental and clinical research. In order to increase the therapeutical effect, we modified some steps of Rosenberg's approach: a. cold digestion with collagenase at 4 degrees C for 24 hours; b. sedimentation instead of centrifugation; c. elimination of tumor cells before the cultivation procedure. Compared with the original approach, the proliferation, activity and cytotoxicity of TILs obtained by the modified procedure were much improved. TILs' expansion-fold was greater than that with the original approach. Cytotoxicity against tumor cells was more potent. Increased TILs' subsets were CD3 and CD8 cells. Meanwhile, we took tumor cells from tumor tissues to test their in vitro chemosensitivities to different drugs in order to select highly sensitive antitumor drugs for treatment of cases with advanced tumors. According to the design of using highly active TILs and highly sensitive drugs (H & H therapy), preliminary clinical results of 50 cases showed higher response rates than those in treatment with TIL/IL2, LAK/IL2 and TIL+IL2+CTX. Less toxic side effects were observed in 14 patients.

Effect of anti-cancer drugs on the binding of 125I-Fibrinogen to two leukaemia cell lines in vitro.

Anti-cancer drugs may be able to inhibit tumour growth and metastasis by blocking fibrinogen- and/or fibrin-related pathways. To test this hypothesis, the effect of various anti-neoplastic drugs on the binding of 125I-Fibrinogen to two leukaemia cell lines, HL60 and P388, was investigated. All the drugs tested inhibited the binding of fibrinogen to leukaemia cells. This effect was particularly marked for drugs that act as inhibitors of protein synthesis. Since these anti-neoplastic drugs do not have anti-coagulant actions, these results provide evidence for the potential of targeting tumour fibrinogen as a new form of cancer chemotherapy.

Effects of cancer chemotherapy on the blood fibrinogen concentrations of cancer patients.

Blood fibrinogen concentrations and glutamic-pyruvic transaminase activities of 66 adult cancer inpatients (aged 22 - 70 years) were determined both before and after one or two chemotherapy regimens. The percentage of hepatoma patients with abnormal blood fibrinogen levels (< 1.5 or > 6.0 g/l) was higher (64.3% of 14 patients) than that in other cancer categories (19.2% of 52 patients). The mean blood fibrinogen concentrations of male (3.5 g/l) and female (4.5 g/l) cancer patients were higher than those previously reported for healthy humans (2.8 and 2.9 g/l, respectively). After chemotherapy, blood fibrinogen concentrations decreased in patients whose primary tumours were surgically removed (from 4.8 to 3.2 g/l) but increased (from 3.0 to 4.8 g/l) in those who did not undergo surgery. Glutamic-pyruvic transaminase activities did not appear to be related to blood fibrinogen levels. We conclude that the increase in mean blood fibrinogen levels of cancer patients is probably related to tumour growth. Different mechanisms may operate in patients with hepatoma.

[Distribution of 125I-DNA in mice bearing cancer].

Following intravenous administration, the distribution of 125I-DNA in mice bearing cancer showed that the 125I-DNA accumulated more in soft tissue tumors than the surrounding tissues, but it did not accumulate in inflammatory tissue. It shows that 125I-DNA has the excellent localizing potential for the soft tissue tumors.

[Regeneration of HNP transgenic alfalfa plants by Agrobacterium mediated gene transfer].

Transgenic plants regenerated from cotyledons of M. sativa L. infected using Agrobacterium tumefaciens A281 with plasmid pBF649 containing a gene encoding protein of high sulfur-amino acid content (HNP) were obtained successfully. The plants grew and fertiled well in field. Cotyledon explants were better recipient for transformation of M. sativa L. Environment of suitable temperature (15 degrees C) and high humidity on high viability of the plants transplanted into soil were essential conditions.

[Combined pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic model of procainamide in rabbits with induced ventricular fibrillation threshold (VFT) changes].

The change of electrically induced VFT was chosen as index of effect in anesthetized rabbits for study of pharmacodynamics of PA and NAPA. We analyzed the pharmacokinetic properties of PA and NAPA and elucidated their effect kinetics with a pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) model in view of different transfer qualities. A linear-addition effect model was used to describe the relationship between the effect and the amount of drug and its metabolite in the effect compartment. PA was found to be eliminated faster than NAPA and distributed more extensively in rabbits. The effect per unit concentration of PA was shown to be larger than that of NAPA.

[A histochemical and ultrastructural study of nemaline myopathy (case report)].

Nemaline myopathy is characterized by presence of nemaline body or rod-like body within muscle fibers. Biopsy from a 7-year boy showed that rod-like bodies were present in most muscle fibers particularly in those atrophied type I fibers. The specificity of oxidase activity was increased with decrease of ATP and AMP activities as well as the intensity of PAS staining. EM observation showed that the rod-like bodies started from Z line and were similar to the lattice structure of Z line but somewhat more compact. The histochemical characteristics, innervation of rod-like body, clinic subtypes and genetic features of this disease were reviewed.