[Effect of changes in posterior tibial slope on the mid-term clinical outcomes of Oxford unicompartmental knee arthroplasty].

Objective: To investigate the impact of changes in the posterior tibial slope (PTS) in Oxford unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (OUKA) on the mid-term clinical outcomes of postoperative patients. Methods: This study was a follow-up study. The data of 135 patients (150 knees) who underwent OUKA at the China-Japan Friendship Hospital from January 2012 to January 2013 were analyzed retrospectively. The patients were followed-up for at least ten years. According to the changes in PTS of the medial tibial plateau before and after surgery, patients were divided into three groups: group A (PTS decreased by more than 5°), group B (PTS changed by 5° or less), and group C (PTS increased by more than 5°). The Knee Society Clinical Score (KSS-C), Knee Society Functional Score (KSS-F), Oxford Knee Score (OKS), Forgotten Joint Score (FJS), and knee range of motion (ROM) among the three groups were compared at the last follow-up. Results: Prior to the final follow-up assessment, six patients expired, and an additional nine patients were lost to follow-up. A total of 120 patients (135 knees) were enrolled in this study (30 males and 90 females). The mean age was (66.29±8.62) years, and the follow-up time was (10.54±0.72) years. Group A consisted of 32 patients (34 knees), group B comprised 77 patients (90 knees), and group C included 11 patients (11 knees). One knee in group A suffered prosthesis loosening, and two knees in group C experienced postoperative bearing dislocation, one knee encountered bearing fragmentation. The incidence of postoperative complications differed significantly among the three groups (P<0.05). The preoperative OKS was (33.91±6.59) points, KSS-F was (43.46±8.99) points, KSS-C was (41.05±5.70) points and ROM was 115.23°±13.53°; after the surgery, they changed to (18.82±7.01) points, (81.51±7.34) points, (82.64±7.94) points, and 119.07°±8.62°, respectively, and all the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.001). In terms of postoperative outcomes, group A had an OKS of (21.44±8.46) points and a FJS of (63.83±11.40) points, group B had an OKS of (17.07±5.81) points and a FJS of (70.49±12.45) points, group C had an OKS of (25.09±5.07) points and a FJS score of (59.48±10.09) points; the differences among the three groups were all statistically significant (all P<0.05), but there were no significant differences in the postoperative KSS scores and ROM among the three groups (all P>0.05). Conclusions: After OUKA, better mid-term clinical outcomes are achieved when ΔPTS is<5°. Although the recommended central value for PTS in OUKA is 7° according to Oxford, it should be individualized, and it is recommended to consider the preoperative angle, with a change of less than 5° before and after surgery.

[The epidemiology and pathogeny investigation of two clusters of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome disease outbreaking in Henan Province, 2022].

To investigate two clusters of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV) in Xinyang City, Henan Province, in 2022, and analyze their causes, transmission route, risk factors, and the characteristics of virus genetic variation. Case search and case investigation were carried out according to the case definition. Blood samples from cases, family members and neighbors and samples of biological vectors were collected for RT-PCR to detect SFTSV. The whole genome sequencing and bioinformatics analysis were performed on the collected positive samples. A total of two clustered outbreaks occurred, involving two initial cases and ten secondary cases, all of which were family recurrent cases. Among them, nine secondary cases had close contact with the blood of the initial case, and it was determined that close contact with blood was the main risk factor for the two clustered outbreaks. After genome sequencing analysis, we found that the SFTSV genotype in two cases was type A, which was closely related to previous endemic strains in Xinyang. The nucleotide sequence of the SFTSV in the case was highly homologous, with a total of nine amino acid mutation sites in the coding region. It was not ruled out that its mutation sites might have an impact on the outbreak of the epidemic.

[Correlational between the gap contact force and the degree of lower limb alignment correction in Oxford mobile bearing unicompartmental knee arthroplasty].

Objective: To study the correlation between joint contact force and postoperative lower extremity alignment in Oxford unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (OUKA) and provide reference data for predicting the lower extremity alignment after OUKA. Methods: It was a retrospective case series study. A total of 78 patients (92 knees) who underwent OUKA surgery from January 2020 to January 2022 in the Department of Orthopedics and Joint Surgery of China-Japan Friendship Hospital were included in this study, including 29 males and 49 females, aged (68.8±6.9) years. A custom-designed force sensor was used to measure gap contact force in the medial gap of OUKA. The patients were divided into groups according to the varus degree of lower limb alignment after operation. Relationship between the gap contact force and the alignment of the lower limbs after operation was analyzed with Pearson correlation analysis, and the gap contact force was compared between patients with different lower limbs alignment correcting results. Results: The mean contact force measured during the operation at 0° of knee extension was 81.7 N±57.8 N, and it was 96.1 N±54.5 N at 20° of knee flexion. The average postoperative knee varus angle was 2.9°±2.7°. The gap contact force at the 0° and 20° positions of the knee joint was negatively correlated with the varus degree of the postoperative lower limb alignment (r=-0.493, -0.331, both P<0.001). The distribution of gap contact force at 0° was different in each group, the contact force [M (Q1, Q3)] of the neutral position group(n=24) was 117.4 N (31.7 N, 233.0 N), and it was 63.7 N (11.3 N, 209.0 N), 31.5 N (8.3 N, 87.7 N) in the mild varus group (n=51) and the significant varus group (n=17), respectively, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.001); while at 20°, only the difference between the significant varus group and the neutral position group was statistically significant (P=0.040). The gap contact force of the alignment satisfactory group at 0° and 20° was greater than those in the significant varus group (both P<0.05). The gap contact force measured at 0° and 20° was significantly greater in patients with preoperative significant flexion deformity than in patients without flexion deformity (or mild flexion deformity) (both P<0.05). Conclusions: OUKA gap contact force is related to the degree of lower limb alignment correction after the operation. In patients with well-corrected lower limb alignment after surgery, the median intraoperative knee joint gap contact force at 0° and 20° is 117.4 N and 92.5 N, respectively.

[Clinical results of medial mobile bearing unicompartmental knee arthroplasty using kinematic alignment technique with at least 5-years follow-up].

Objective: To evaluate the mid-term results of kinematic alignment technique in Oxford mobile bearing unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (OUKA). Methods: The clinical data of first 98 knees OUKA performed from June 2015 to January 2017 using kinematic alignment technique with at least 5-year follow-up were retrospectively analyzed, including 28 knees in 24 males and 70 knees in 62 females. The mean surgical age was (68.4±8.0) years. The clinical data of patients before operation and at the last follow-up were recorded and compared. The knee Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) score, visual analogue scale (VAS) of pain, range of motion, surgical complications and radiological assessment were analyzed to evaluate the efficacy of kinematic alignment technique in OUKA. Results: The mean follow-up was (70.9±5.9) months (60-81 months). The mean operation time was (56.4±9.1) minutes. There was no conversion to total knee replacement, no collateral ligament injury and no fracture in operation. The postoperative hospital stay was (5.8±1.9) days. Postoperative hemoglobin drop was (12.7±5.5) g/L. There was no blood transfusion. No patient died during perioperative period. No serious adverse events related to surgery occurred after operation, such as pulmonary embolism, fat embolism, cardio-cerebrovascular accident, etc. No revision, bearing dislocation, periprosthetic joint infection, prosthesis aseptic loosening, contralateral compartment arthritis progression occurred at final follow-up. Three patients reported persistent unexplained knee pain. Afther the operation, the HSS score increased from 59.1±8.2 to 91.8±5.6 after the operation, the range of motion increased from 122.4°±10.0° to 125.6°±7.1°, and the VAS score decreased from 6.9±0.8 to 1.6±1.2 (all P<0.05). Radiological assessment showed that 92.9%(91/98) implant positions were ideal and 7 knees were outliers. The mean HKAA was 173.3°±3.7° before surgery and it was 177.2°±3.0° after surgery (P=0.038). The mean A angle of femur varus/valgus angle was 2.0°±2.8° (-11°-13°), and the mean B angle of femur flexion/extension angle was 4.8°±3.4°(0°-17°). The mean tibia valgus/valgus angle E angle was 1.0°±1.9°(-4°-9°), and the mean F angle was 6.7°±2.3°(1°-12°). The mean postoperative prosthesis distance was (4.29±2.46)mm(2-7 mm). Conclusions: It's demonstrated that the kinematic alignment technique follows the design principle of OUKA, has satisfactory mid-term results. The radiological assessment of the prosthesis is acceptable.

[Analysis of the whole genome traceability and transmission path simulation experiment of the local cluster COVID-19 epidemic].

Objective: To trace and characterize the whole genome of SARS-CoV-2 of confirmed cases in the outbreak of COVID-19 on July 31, 2021 in Henan Province. Method: Genome-wide sequencing and comparative analysis were performed on positive nucleic acid samples of SARS-CoV-2 from 167 local cases related to the epidemic on July 31, 2021, to analyze the consistency and evolution of the whole genome sequence of virus. Results: Through high-throughput sequencing, a total of 106 cases of SARS-CoV-2 whole genome sequences were obtained. The results of genome analysis showed that the whole genome sequences of 106 cases belonged to the VOC/Delta variant strain (B.1.617.2 clade), and the whole genome sequences of 106 cases were shared with the genomes of 3 imported cases from Myanmar admitted to a hospital in Zhengzhou. On the basis of 45 nucleotide sites, 1-5 nucleotide variation sites were added, and the genome sequence was highly homologous. Conclusion: Combined with the comprehensive analysis of viral genomics, transmission path simulation experiments and epidemiology, it is determined that the local new epidemic in Henan Province is caused by imported cases in the nosocomial area, and the spillover has caused localized infection in the community. At the same time, it spills over to some provincial cities and results in localized clustered epidemics.

[The association of posterior tibial slope changes between joint gap contact force and the range of motion in Oxford mobile bearing unicompartmental knee arthroplasty].

Objective: To investigate the correlation between the change of posterior tibial slope (PTS) after unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) and the contact force at the end stage of knee flexion and extension, as well as the postoperative range of motion. Methods: The data of 38 cases (46 knees) of UKAs undertaken in China-Japan Friendship Hospital from June 2020 to June 2021 were analyzed in this study. A custom-designed force sensor was used to measure gap contact force in the medial gap of UKA. The correlations between each two of the three factors-the change of PTS (∆PTS), the gap contact force of full extension and deep flexion and the range of knee motion were analyzed. Results: Totally of 38 patients (46 knees) were enrolled, including 14 males and 24 females, aged (69.1±7.4) years, with an average follow-up of (11.2±3.7) months. The average gap contact force was (88.3±40.6)N, the adjusted contact force of the full extension gap was 81.7%±33.8%, while that of the deep flexion gap was 55.6%±31.0%. At the last follow-up, the fixed flexion degree[M(Q1, Q3)] was 0°(0°, 3°), which was significantly lower than the preoperative value of 0°(0°, 5°) (P<0.05); the postoperative max flexion degree was 115.9°±16.4°, it was increased when compared with the preoperative value of 112.0°±16.8° (P<0.05); and the postoperative PTS was 8.3°±2.7°, and there was no significant difference with the preoperative value (8.6°±2.1°,P>0.05). There was a positive correlation between ∆PTS and both the contact force of full extension gap and the fixed flexion degree (r=0.334 and 0.317, P<0.05). Besides, there was a negative correlation between ∆PTS and the contact force of the deep flexion gap (r=-0.397, P<0.05). However, the correlations between these two factors and the max flexion degree were not significant (P>0.05). Conclusions: The reduction of PTS in UKA would reduce the contact force of the full extension gap, as well as the postoperative fixed flexion deformity. Besides, it could increase the contact force of the deep flexion gap, but would not influence the max flexion degree of the knee postoperatively.

[Prevalence of intestinal protozoan infections among rural children in Henan Province from 2014 to 2015].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence and influencing factors of intestinal protozoan infections among rural children in Henan Province. METHODS: A total of 104 survey sites were sampled from 35 counties (cities) in Henan Province using the stratified cluster sampling method to investigate the prevalence of intestinal protozoan infections among rural children from 2014 to 2015. The trophozoites and cysts of intestinal protozoa were identified using the iodine staining method and the physiological saline direct smear method (one detection for one stool sample). The prevalence of intestinal protozoan infections was compared among rural children with different characteristics, and the factors affecting intestinal protozoan infections among rural children were identified. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of intestinal protozoan infections was 0.60% (40/6 771) among rural children in Henan Province from 2014 to 2015. There were 7 species of intestinal protozoa identified, and there was no species-specific prevalence (χ2 = 37.732, P = 0.000). No significant differences were found in prevalence of intestinal protozoan infections among rural children in terms of gender (χ2 = 1.793, P = 0.181), age (χ2 = 1.443, P = 0.486), occupation (χ2 = 0.219, P = 0.896) or ecological region (χ2 = 1.700, P = 0.637). In addition, terrain (χ2 = 2.311, P = 0.510), economic level (χ2 = 4.322, P = 0.229), source of drinking water (χ2 = 0.731, P = 0.393), eating raw vegetables (χ2 = 1.134, P = 0.287) and deworming (χ2 = 1.089, P = 0.297) had no remarkable effects on the prevalence of intestinal protozoan infections among rural children in Henan Province; however, the prevalence of intestinal protozoan infections varied significantly among rural children living in regions with different coverage of non-harmless toilets (χ2 = 10.050, P = 0.018). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of intestinal protozoan infections is low among rural children in Henan Province.

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus: a systematic review and meta-analysis of transmission mode.

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is a disease with a high case-fatality rate that is caused by infection with the SFTS virus (SFTSV). Five electronic databases were systematically searched to identify relevant articles published from 1 January 2011 to 1 December 2019. The pooled rates with 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated by a fixed-effect or random-effect model analysis. The results showed that 92 articles were included in this meta-analysis. For the confirmed SFTS cases, the case-fatality rate was 0.15 (95% CI 0.11, 0.18). Two hundred and ninety-six of 1384 SFTS patients indicated that they had been bitten by ticks and the biting rate was 0.21 (95% CI 0.16, 0.26). The overall pooled seroprevalence of SFTSV antibodies among the healthy population was 0.04 (95% CI 0.03, 0.05). For the overall seroprevalence of SFTSV in animals, the seroprevalence of SFTSV was 0.25 (95% CI 0.20, 0.29). The infection rate of SFTSV in ticks was 0.08 (95% CI 0.05, 0.11). In conclusion, ticks can serve as transmitting vectors of SFTSVs and reservoir hosts. Animals can be infected by tick bites, and as a reservoir host, SFTSV circulates continuously between animals and ticks in nature. Humans are infected by tick bites and direct contact with patient secretions.

White hard clam (Meretrix lyrata) shells as novel filter media to augment the phosphorus removal from wastewater.

It is well recognized that filter media play a crucial role in constructed wetlands (CWs) for decontamination of phosphorus (P)-rich wastewater. This study investigates the suitability of raw white hard clam shells (WHC) and white hard clam shells thermally modified at 800 °C (WHC-M800) as potential media to enhance P treatment performance in CWs. The results indicated that both WHC and WHC-M800 displayed appropriate physicochemical properties, such as high porosity, excellent hydraulic conductivity, and rich Ca content. WHC-M800 exhibited a superior P adsorption capacity (38.7 mg/g) to WHC (12.8 mg/g). However, the practical utilization of WHC-M800 as filter media in CWs may be compromised, due to certain limitations, for example: extremely high pH values in the post-adsorption solutions; high weight losses during calcination and adsorption processes; low mechanical strength; and intensive energy consumption. In contrast, the WHC demonstrated significant advantages of reasonably high P adsorption capacity, locally abundant availability, low cost, and marginal side effects. The fractionation of inorganic P of WHC and WHC-M800 revealed that Ca-bounded P was the most dominant binding form, followed by loosely bound P, Fe-P, occluded P, and Al-P. The present study demonstrates that recycling of WHC shells as a potential substrate in CWs provides a feasible method for upgrading P removal in CWs. Additionally, it helps to reduce waste WHC shells in a simple, cheap, and eco-friendly way, thus can double environmental benefits.

White hard clam (Meretrix lyrata) shells media to improve phosphorus removal in lab-scale horizontal sub-surface flow constructed wetlands: Performance, removal pathways, and lifespan.

This work examined the phosphorus (P) removal from the synthetic pretreated swine wastewater using lab-scale horizontal sub-surface flow constructed wetlands (HSSF-CWs). White hard clam (Meretrix lyrata) shells (WHC) and Paspalum atratum were utilized as substrate and plant, respectively. The focus was placed on treatment performance, removal mechanisms and lifespan of the HSSF-CWs. Results indicated that WHC-based HSSF-CW with P. atratum exhibited a high P removal (89.9%). The mean P efluent concentration and P removal rate were 1.34 ± 0.95 mg/L and 0.32 ± 0.03 g/m2/d, respectively. The mass balance study showed that media sorption was the dominant P removal pathway (77.5%), followed by microbial assimilation (14.5%), plant uptake (5.4%), and other processes (2.6%). It was estimated the WHC-based bed could work effectively for approximately 2.84 years. This WHC-based HSSF-CWs technology will therefore pave the way for recycling Ca-rich waste materials as media in HSSF-CWs to enhance P-rich wastewater purification.

[Role and controversy of unicompartmental knee arthroplasty in treatment of knee osteoarthritis].

A stepwise algorithm was proposed for the management of knee osteoarthritis.Unicompartmental knee arthroplasty(UKA) is a promising treatment option for unicompartmental knee osteoarthritis and widely used.It just replaces the lesion compartment with many advantages such as a smaller incision, less soft tissue injury, and more rapid recovery.UKA restores the native knee kinematics as the other compartments and knee ligaments are largely retained.Although there were many evidences that UKA could achieve good results when patient selections and surgical techniques were accurate.However, some registry data reported that UKA prostheses had lower survival rates compared to total knee arthroplasty.In this review, we try to analyze the current controversies, and evaluate the status and role for UKA in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis.Good results for knee osteoarthritis could be achieved by selecting appropriate methods and using UKA correctly in the future.

A critical review on life cycle assessment and plant-wide models towards emission control strategies for greenhouse gas from wastewater treatment plants.

For decades, there has been a strong interest in mitigating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Numerous models were developed to measure the emissions and propose the quantification. Existing studies looked at the relationship between GHG emissions and operational cost (OCI), which is one of the most important indicators for decision-makers. Other parameters that can influence the control strategies include the effluent quality (EQI) and total environmental impacts. Plant-wide models are reliable methods to examine the OCI, EQI and GHG emissions while Life cycle assessment (LCA) works to assess the potential environmental impacts. A combined LCA and plant-wide model proved to be a valuable tool evaluating and comparing strategies for the best performance of WWTPs. For this study involving a WWTP, the benchmark model is used while LCA is the decision tool to find the most suitable treatment strategy. LCA adds extra criteria that complement the existing criteria provided by such models. Complementing the cost/performance criteria is proposed for plant-wide models, including environmental evaluation, based on LCA, which provides an overall better assessment of WWTPs. It can capture both the dynamic effects and potential environmental impacts. This study provides an overview of the integration between plant-wide models and LCA.

[Epidemiological characteristics of malaria in Henan Province from 1950 to 2019].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of malaria in Henan Province from 1950 to 2019, so as to provide the scientific evidence for consolidating malaria elimination achievements in the province. METHODS: The epidemiological situation of malaria and demographic data in Henan Province from 1950 to 2019 were collected, and the statistical analyses were performed using a descriptive epidemiological method. The spatial temporal distribution of malaria cases was identified using the software ArcGIS version 10.3. RESULTS: During the period from 1950 through 2019, the progress of malaria elimination was divided into 4 stages in Henan Province, including the baseline-survey and key-control stage, morbidity-control and incidence-reduction stage, basic-eradication and achievement-consolidation stage and elimination stage. The spatial distribution of malaria cases shifted from south of the Huai River and the plain regions between the Yellow River and Taihang Mountain to the Huang-Huai-Hai Plain and Nanyang Basin, then was concentrated in eastern part of southern Huai River where Anopheles anthropophagus was distributed, and finally was gradually under control following malaria outbreak in Eastern Henan Plain. In addition, the species of Plasmodium changed from P. vivax, P. falciparum and P. malariae co-endemics to a single P. vivax infection, and the current co-endemics of 5 invasive malaria parasites, and the malaria vectors shifted from co-existence of Anopheles sinensis and An. anthropophagus to An. sinensis alone. CONCLUSIONS: There has been a large change in the epidemiological characteristics of malaria in Henan Province from 1950 to 2019. Although malaria has been eliminated in Henan Province, the consolidation of the malaria elimination achievements remain a great challenge due to overseas imported malaria.

[Efficacy and safety of compound betamethasone cocktail therapy in primary unilateral unicompartmental knee arthroplasty].

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of an intraoperative betamethasone periarticular injection in patients undergoing primary unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA). Methods: Seventy patients with knee anteromedial osteoarthritis who underwent the primary unilateral UKA in China-Japan Friendship Hospital from July 2017 to October 2018 were randomized into two groups with random number table. In the group A, an analgesic mixture of morphine, ropivacaine, epinephrine, ketorolac and betamethasone was infiltrated intraoperatively into the soft tissue. While in the group B, a same volume of mixture without betamethasone was injected alternatively. The visual analogue scale (VAS) of pain and analgesic consumption were evaluated to compare the effectiveness of pain control between the two groups. In addition, maximal flexion of the knee andinitial time of the straight leg raising were monitored. Complications were assessed too. The data were compared with independent-sample t test. Results: No significant differences in VAS score was found between the groups at 6 h and 12 h after the operation (t=-1.154, -1.108, both P>0.05), but the pain level and analgesic consumption were significantly lower in the group A from 18 h to 72 h post operation (t=-2.959, -2.808, -2.080, -2.519, -3.378, -3.237, all P<0.05). The maximal flexion in group A was significantly higher than that in the group B from 1 d to 3 d (t=2.985, 4.575, 4.013, all P<0.05). The straight leg raising ability and incidence of complications were similar between the groups (χ(2)=0.141, 0.000, both P>0.05). Conclusions: The cocktail analgesics injection containing small dose of betamethasone during UKA can provide effective acute pain control early after the surgery, which is conducive to knee joint function, and it does not increase the incidence of postoperative complications.

[Microbiology analysis of periprothetic joint infection post total hip and knee arthroplasty of 9 centers in Beijing between 2014 and 2016].

Objective: To investigate the microbiological test, antibiotic sensitivity and surgical treatment of periprosthetic joint infection(PJI) cases in post total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA) patients. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional survey was conducted on 318 patients who underwent THA or TKA in 9 clinical centers in Beijing from January 2014 to December 2016.The data of microbiology, antibiotic sensitivity and surgical treatment were collected.The average age of patients was (62.3±13.1) years old (range: 21-86 years old), including 145 males and 173 females.The body mass index was (25.6±3.8) kg/m (2) (range: 15.6-38.1 kg/m(2)). Results: In total, 318 patients had microorganisms detected by periprosthetic tissue culture or synovial fluid culture, 209 cases (65.7%) had Gram-positive bacteria, 29 cases (9.1%) had Gram-negative bacteria, 10 cases (3.1%) had fungi, 3 cases (0.9%) had non-tuberculous mycobacteria, 72 cases (22.6%) were negative, 69 cases (21.7%) had methicillin-resistant bacteria. The antibiotic sensitivity results showed that the overall resistance rate of penicillin, cefuroxime, amoxicillin+clavulanic acid was 79.9%, 69.9%, and 68.1%, respectively; meropenem, vancomycin, and linezolid resistance rate was 0. For the treatment methods of hip and knee PJI, two-stage revision surgery acounted for 72.9% (108/148) and 64.1% (109/170), respectively. One-stage revision surgery accounted for 21.6% (32/148) and 7.6% (13/170), and open debridement surgery accounted for 4.7%(7/148) and 26.4% (45/170). Conclusions: Gram-positive bacteria was still the main pathogen of PJI.The methicillin-resistant bacteria and rare bacteria should be payed attention to. The Majority of hip and knee PJI cases were treated by two-stage revision surgery.

MiR-451a suppresses cell proliferation, metastasis and EMT via targeting YWHAZ in hepatocellular carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been identified to participate in the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the function of miR-451a in HCC remains unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the function of miR-451a by construction of several experiments in HCC tissues and cells. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The expression level of miR-451a in 69 paired of HCC and adjacent normal tissue samples was detected using quantitative Real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). MiR-451a expression in HCC derived cell lines was detected as well. By transfecting with miR-451a mimics or inhibitor, the expression level of miR-451a in HepG2 or Huh-7 cells was up- or down-regulated. MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) assay and colony formation analysis were employed to evaluate the changes of cell proliferation. Cell migration and invasion abilities were measured via transwell assay. Meanwhile, the underlying mechanism of miR-451a in HCC was demonstrated and verified by dual-luciferase assay and Western blotting, respectively. Rescue experiments were used to identify the downstream molecule of miR-451a in HCC. RESULTS: MiR-451a expression in HCC tissue samples was significantly lower than that of adjacent normal samples. Meanwhile, the level of miR-451a in HCC cell lines was significantly down-regulated when compared with normal human hepatic cell line LO2. MTT assay and colony formation analysis showed that over-expressed miR-451a remarkably inhibited proliferation of HepG2 cells, whereas down-regulated miR-451a promoted growth of Huh-7 cells. Transwell results indicated that up-regulation of miR-451a significantly decreased HCC cell invasion and migration, while down-regulation remarkably increased cell metastasis. Furthermore, YWHAZ was identified as a direct target for miR-451a in HCC cells. CONCLUSIONS: The expression level of miR-451a was decreased in HCC tissues and cell lines. Moreover, miR-451a inhibited the proliferation, invasion and migration of HCC cells via targeting YWHAZ. Our findings indicated that miR-451a could serve as a novel target for HCC diagnosis and biological therapy.

A chemical kinetic model for Ca2+ induced spontaneous oscillatory contraction of myocardium.

The Ca2+ induced Spontaneous Oscillatory Contraction (Ca-SPOC) of cardiac myofibrils oscillate with a period similar to resting heartbeat of several animal species, and its auto-oscillatory properties set the basic rhythm of cardiac contraction. To explain the dynamics of Ca-SPOC, the present paper constructs a novel chemical kinetical model based upon the cooperative behavior between the two heads of myosin II dimer, also considering the reaction-diffusion effect of ATP inside myocardial fibers. The simulation results show that the concentration of ATP inside myocardial fibers oscillates over time under some special conditions, together with the proportions of myosin II dimers in different states periodically changing with time, which contributes to produce the sustained oscillations of contractive tension. These results indicate that the SPOC of muscles may be partly due to chemical oscillation involved in the actomyosin ATPase cycle, which has been ignored by the previous theoretical studies.

Development of a water cycle management approach to Sponge City construction in Xi'an, China.

In recent years, climate change, population growth, and inefficient use of water have exacerbated the water resources scarcity problems around the world. Hence, this paper establishes a new approach of Sponge City construction (SCC) based on water cycle management (WCM) for the sustainable exploitation of groundwater, recycled wastewater and rainwater in the Xi'an Siyuan University. The University is located in an isolated area that is far away from the city center so that no centralized water supply system could be utilized. To mitigate water scarcity problems in the University, 39% of the annual rainfall is harvested and stored from impervious surfaces and grasslands by using the Curve Number (CN) method. This stored water is reused for non-potable purposes: 40% for toilet flushing and 60% as miscellaneous water. According to findings, the available rainwater of500-700 m3/d accounts for 16-23% of the non-potable water from April to December. Moreover, the utilization rate of water resources increases from 204% to 227%. With the minimum volume of large-scale rainwater harvesting cistern of 52,760 m3, the environment could be adequately watered while improving the expansion and development conditions on the campus. Furthermore, water scarcity problems could be mitigated through optimization of the water resources utilization system. This study demonstrates that this new approach of SCC based on WCM could alleviate water resources scarcity problems in Xi'an Siyuan University effectively. It is hoped that this study will provide a model and example of the new approach for future applications.

Long non-coding RNA H19 regulates the development of gliomas through the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the effects of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) H19 on glioma cell proliferation, invasion, migration, and apoptosis and the underlying mechanisms. PATIENTS AND METHODS: H19 expression in glioma tissues, para-carcinoma tissues, and glioma cell lines was analyzed by Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). After transfecting U251 and U87MG cells with siRNA-H19, cell proliferation was detected by the cell counting kit-8 (CCK8) assay. Invasion and migration were detected by a transwell assay; cell cycle distribution and apoptosis were measured by flow cytometry analysis; Dvl2, GSK-3ß, cyclin D1, and ß-catenin expressions were detected by RT-PCR and Western blotting. RESULTS: H19 expression in glioma tissues was higher than that in para-carcinoma tissues and associated with poor prognosis in glioma patients. Cell proliferation, invasion, and migration significantly decreased, the percentage of glioma cells in G0/G1 significantly increased, the percentage of glioma cells in the S phase significantly decreased, and apoptosis significantly increased in U251 and U87MG cells transfected with siRNA-H19 compared to those in the siRNA-NC group. Downregulation of H19 decreased DVL2, cyclin D1, and ß-catenin expression and increased GSK-3ß expression. The inhibitory effects of downregulation of H19 on glioma cell proliferation, invasion, and migration were reversed by SKL2001 via the activation of the Wnt/ß-catenin signal pathway, which was further enhanced by inhibition of the Wnt/ß-catenin signal pathway by XAV939. CONCLUSIONS: H19 was overexpressed in glioma tissues and glioma cell lines. Downregulation of H19 inhibited cell proliferation, invasion, and migration, arrested cell cycle progression in the G0/G1 phase, and induced cell apoptosis by restraining activation of the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway in glioma cells. Therefore, H19 is a potential therapeutic target for glioma therapy.

Microalgae biomass from swine wastewater and its conversion to bioenergy.

Ever-increasing swine wastewater (SW) has become a serious environmental concern. High levels of nutrients and toxic contaminants in SW significantly impact on the ecosystem and public health. On the other hand, swine wastewater is considered as valuable water and nutrient source for microalgae cultivation. The potential for converting the nutrients from SW into valuable biomass and then generating bioenergy from it has drawn increasing attention. For this reason, this review comprehensively discussed the biomass production, SW treatment efficiencies, and bioenergy generation potentials through cultivating microalgae in SW. Microalgae species grow well in SW with large amounts of biomass being produced, despite the impact of various parameters (e.g., nutrients and toxicants levels, cultivation conditions, and bacteria in SW). Pollutants in SW can effectively be removed by harvesting microalgae from SW, and the harvested microalgae biomass elicits high potential for conversion to valuable bioenergy.