Advances in the role and mechanism of fibroblasts in fracture healing.

With the development of social population ageing, bone fracture has become a global public health problem due to its high morbidity, disability and mortality. Fracture healing is a complex phenomenon involving the coordinated participation of immigration, differentiation and proliferation of inflammatory cells, angioblasts, fibroblasts, chondroblasts and osteoblasts which synthesize and release bioactive substances of extracellular matrix components, Mortality caused by age-related bone fractures or osteoporosis is steadily increasing worldwide as the population ages. Fibroblasts play an important role in the process of fracture healing. However, it is not clear how the growth factors and extracellular matrix stiffness of the bone-regeneration microenvironment affects the function of osteoblasts and fibroblasts in healing process. Therefore, this article focuses on the role of fibroblasts in the process of fracture healing and mechanisms of research progress.

The intriguing roles of Siglec family members in the tumor microenvironment.

Sialic acid-binding receptors are expressed on the surfaces of a variety of immune cells and have complex and diverse immunoregulatory functions in health and diseases. Recent studies have shown that Siglecs could play diverse immune and nonimmune regulatory roles in the tumor microenvironment (TME) and participate in tumor progression through various mechanisms, such as regulating tumor growth and metastasis, mediating the inflammatory response, and promoting tumor immune escape, thereby affecting the prognoses and outcomes of patients. However, depending on the cell type in which they are expressed, each Siglec member binds to corresponding ligands in the microenvironment milieu to drive diverse cell physiological and pathological processes in tumors. Therefore, we herein summarize the expression spectra and functions of the Siglec family in human diseases, particularly cancer, and highlight the possibility of therapeutic interventions targeting the TME in the future.

Prognostic value of Siglec-15 expression in patients with solid tumors: A meta-analysis.

Background: Siglec-15 is expressed in a variety of cancers. However, the role of Siglec-15 in the prognosis of cancer patients remains controversial. Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis to clarify the potential prognostic value of Siglec-15 in solid tumors. Methods: The PubMed, Web of Science, Embase and CNKI databases were comprehensively searched to identify studies assessing the effect of Siglec-15 on the survival of cancer patients. Hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS) and disease-specific survival (DSS) from individual studies were evaluated. Results: The data from 13 observational studies consisting of 1376 patients were summarized. Elevated baseline Siglec-15 expression was significantly correlated with poor OS (pooled HR = 1.28, 95% CI: 1.05-1.56; P = 0.013). However, high Siglec-15 expression predicted a significantly better DSS (pooled HR = 0.73 (95% CI: 0.57-0.94; P = 0.015) but not PFS (pooled HR = 1.49, 95% CI: 0.46-4.87; P=0.510). In addition, high Siglec-15 expression was not associated with PD-L1 (OR=0.64, 95% CI: 0.42-0.95; P = 0.028). High Siglec-15 expression was associated with male sex (OR = 1.39, 95% CI: 1.05-1.84; P = 0.022), larger tumor size (OR = 1.896, 95% CI: 1.26-2.9; P = 0.002), and advanced tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stage (OR = 1.84; 95% CI: 1.19-2.84; P =0.006) in solid tumors. Conclusions: This updated study suggested the expression of Siglec-15 is significantly associated with poor outcomes in human solid tumors, but further studies are needed to determine the prognostic value of Siglec-15 in solid tumors.

Review of Computer Modeling and Simulation of Spinal Thermal Ablation / 中国医疗器械杂志

Thermal ablation surgery can effectively eliminate bone tumors in the spine and meanwhile reduce damage to the human body. To realize the computer modeling and simulation of spine thermal ablation surgery, it is necessary to ensure the accuracy of both spine modeling and simulation temperature. This review summarizes the research progress of this field and analyzes the prospects from two aspects: computer modeling based on spine segmentation from medical images and simulation calculation of temperature field in ablation surgery. The research on spine segmentation has made great progress, but there are still some problems that prevent it from being applied in clinical simulation. Related research has been trying to solve the problems. For the ablation surgery of the spine, some researchers have tried ablation simulation and obtained simulation results that are relatively consistent with the actual temperature value.

Synthesis and characterization of high affinity fluorogenic α-synuclein probes.

Fluorescent small molecules are powerful tools for imaging α-synuclein pathology in vitro and in vivo. In this work, we explore benzofuranone as a potential scaffold for the design of fluorescent α-synuclein probes. These compounds have high affinity for α-synuclein, show fluorescent turn-on upon binding to fibrils, and display different binding to Lewy bodies, Lewy neurites and glial cytoplasmic inclusion pathologies in post-mortem brain tissue. These studies not only reveal the potential of benzofuranone compounds as α-synuclein specific fluorescent probes, but also have implications for the ways in which α-synucleinopathies are conformationally different and display distinct small molecule binding sites.

Tailored Emission Properties of ZnTe/ZnTe:O/ZnO Core-Shell Nanowires Coupled with an Al Plasmonic Bowtie Antenna Array.

The ability to manipulate light-matter interaction in semiconducting nanostructures is fascinating for implementing functionalities in advanced optoelectronic devices. Here, we report the tailoring of radiative emissions in a ZnTe/ZnTe:O/ZnO core-shell single nanowire coupled with a one-dimensional aluminum bowtie antenna array. The plasmonic antenna enables changes in the excitation and emission processes, leading to an obvious enhancement of near band edge emission (2.2 eV) and subgap excitonic emission (1.7 eV) bound to intermediate band states in a ZnTe/ZnTe:O/ZnO core-shell nanowire as well as surface-enhanced Raman scattering at room temperature. The increase of emission decay rate in the nanowire/antenna system, probed by time-resolved photoluminescence spectroscopy, yields an observable enhancement of quantum efficiency induced by local surface plasmon resonance. Electromagnetic simulations agree well with the experimental observations, revealing a combined effect of enhanced electric near-field intensity and the improvement of quantum efficiency in the ZnTe/ZnTe:O/ZnO nanowire/antenna system. The capability of tailoring light-matter interaction in low-efficient emitters may provide an alternative platform for designing advanced optoelectronic and sensing devices with precisely controlled response.

Extreme absorption enhancement in ZnTe:O/ZnO intermediate band core-shell nanowires by interplay of dielectric resonance and plasmonic bowtie nanoantennas.

Intermediate band solar cells (IBSCs) are conceptual and promising for next generation high efficiency photovoltaic devices, whereas, IB impact on the cell performance is still marginal due to the weak absorption of IB states. Here a rational design of a hybrid structure composed of ZnTe:O/ZnO core-shell nanowires (NWs) with Al bowtie nanoantennas is demonstrated to exhibit strong ability in tuning and enhancing broadband light response. The optimized nanowire dimensions enable absorption enhancement by engineering leaky-mode dielectric resonances. It maximizes the overlap of the absorption spectrum and the optical transitions in ZnTe:O intermediate-band (IB) photovoltaic materials, as verified by the enhanced photoresponse especially for IB states in an individual nanowire device. Furthermore, by integrating Al bowtie antennas, the enhanced exciton-plasmon coupling enables the notable improvement in the absorption of ZnTe:O/ZnO core-shell single NW, which was demonstrated by the profound enhancement of photoluminescence and resonant Raman scattering. The marriage of dielectric and metallic resonance effects in subwavelength-scale nanowires opens up new avenues for overcoming the poor absorption of sub-gap photons by IB states in ZnTe:O to achieve high-efficiency IBSCs.

Characterization of the Salmonella enterica Serotype Isangi Isolated from Patients for the First Time in China.

No studies have reported the isolation of serotype Salmonella Isangi from cases of salmonellosis in mainland China. We investigated an outbreak of foodborne disease with salmonella and collected the samples from the patients and surplus foods. Salmonella strains were isolated and the serotype was identified according to the Kauffmann-White scheme. The relatedness of the isolates was determined using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and whole genome sequencing (WGS). Antimicrobial susceptibility was conducted by the broth microdilution method. There were 74 diners in the case, 33 of which got ill, with an attack rate of 44.6% (33/74). A total of 24 samples were collected from the outbreak cases, six Salmonella Isangi strains were isolated and susceptible to all tested drugs. PFGE and WGS analysis suggested that the pathogen dissemination through a single or limited vector(s), the steamed fish and mixed food (fry spicy chicken, braised pork ribs, and goose leg), may be the source of infection or be cross-contaminated. We first report the characteristics of an outbreak and molecular strain relatedness of Salmonella Isangi in mainland China.

Outcome benefit of abdominal paracentesis drainage for severe acute pancreatitis patients with serum triglyceride elevation by decreasing serum lipid metabolites.

BACKGROUND: Our previous reports demonstrated that abdominal paracentesis drainage (APD) exerts a beneficial effect on severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) patients. However, the underlying mechanisms for this effectiveness are not well understood. METHODS: A retrospective cohort of 132 consecutive non-hypertriglyceridemia (HTG)-induced SAP patients with triglyceride (TG) elevation and pancreatitis-associated ascitic fluid (PAAF) was recruited from May 2010 to May 2015 and included in this study. The patients were divided into two groups: the APD group (n = 68) and the non-APD group (n = 64). The monitored parameters mainly included mortality, hospital stay, the incidence of further intervention, levels of serum lipid metabolites and inflammatory factors, parameters related to organ failure and infections, and severity scores. RESULTS: The demographic data and severity scores were comparable between the two groups. Compared with the non-APD group, the primary outcomes (including mortality, hospital stay and the incidence of percutaneous catheter drainage) in the APD group were improved. The serum levels of lipid metabolites were significantly lower in the APD group after 2 weeks of treatment than in the non-APD group. Logistic regression analysis indicated that the decreased extent of free fatty acid (FFA)(odds ratio, 1.435; P = 0.015) was a predictor of clinical improvement after 2 weeks of treatment. CONCLUSION: Treatment with APD benefits non-HTG-induced SAP patients with serum TG elevation by decreasing serum levels of FFA.

[The effect of astragalus injection on the expression of endoplasmic reticulum stress chaperonin GRP78 and GRP94 mRNA in adriamycin-injured cardiomyocytes with calumenin silencing by shRNA].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of astragalus injection on the endoplasmic reticulum stress in adriamycin(ADR)-injured cardiomyocytes with calumenin silencing by shRNA. METHODS: Firstly, the stable lentiviral calumenin shRNAvector was constructed. Secondly, in vitro cultured neonatal rat cardiac myocytes were randomly divided into control group、normal group (3 mg/L ADR), lentivirus infection group (lentivirus infection+3 mg/L ADR), Astragalus group 1 (3 mg/L ADR+Astragalus), Astragalus group 2 (lentivirus infection+3 mg/L ADR+Astragalus). The mRNA epression level of calumenin expression and reticulum stress chaperone in GRP78, GRP94 of each group was monitored by real-time PCR. RESULTS: ①Compared with that of the control group, the calumenin mRNA expression in the normal group was reduced(P<0.05), yet its mRNA level in lentivirus the infection group and the Astragalus group 2 was further reduced(P<0.01). Compared with that of the normal group, the mRNA contents of calumenin in the Astragalus group 1 was increased(P<0.05). The expression of calumenin in Astragalus group 2 was increased comparing with lentivirus infection group (P<0.01). ②Compared with that in the control group, the expression of reticulum stress chaperone in GRP78, GRP 94 in lentivirus infection group and normal group was significantly increased (P<0.01); Compared with that in the normal group, the expression of reticulum stress chaperone in GRP78, GRP94 in Astragalus group 1 was reduced(P<0.01); Compared with that in the lentivirus infection group, the expression of reticulum stress chaperone in GRP78, GRP94 in the Astragalus group 2 was obviously decreased(P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: ①Calumenin can alleviate endoplasmic reticulum stress induced by ADR-injured myocardial cells. ②Astragalus injection can restrain the endoplasmic reticulum stress induced by adriamycin, which may be achieved by the calumenin protein.

High-Level Expression, Purification and Large-Scale Production of l-Methionine γ-Lyase from Idiomarina as a Novel Anti-Leukemic Drug.

l-Methionine γ-lyase (MGL), a pyridoxal 5'-phosphate-dependent enzyme, possesses anti-tumor activity. However, the low activity of MGL blocks the anti-tumor effect. This study describes an efficient production process for the recombinant MGL (rMGL) from Idiomarina constructed using the overexpression plasmid in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3), purification, and large-scale production. The enzyme produced by the transformants accounted for 53% of the total proteins and accumulated at 1.95 mg/mL using a 500 L fermentor. The enzyme was purified to approximately 99% purity using a high-pressure mechanical homogenizer and nickel (Ni) Sepharose 6 Fast Flow (FF) chromatography. Then, the enzyme was polished by gel filtration, the endotoxins were removed using diethyl-aminoethanol (DEAE) Sepharose FF, and the final product was lyophilized with a vacuum freeze dryer at -35 °C. The specific activity of rMGL in the lyophilized powder was up to 108 U/mg. Compared to the control, the enzyme significantly inhibited cellular proliferation in a concentration-dependent manner as tested using the MTS (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium) assay and induced cellular apoptosis as analyzed by Annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) with fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) in leukemia cells. This paper demonstrated the cloning, overexpression, and large-scale production protocols for rMGL, which enabled rMGL to be used as a novel anti-leukemic drug.

[Association study between PDE4D gene polymorphism and ischemic stroke].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the linkage and association between rs966221 (SNP 83) in PDE4D gene with stroke and related traits in ischemic stroke families. METHODS: Ischemic stroke families including ischemic stroke patients and their siblings and/or parents were recruited. Generalized estimating equation (GEE) was used to adjust for with-in family correlations and other potential confounding factors. Non-parameter linkage analysis and family based association test (FBAT) were applied to explore the relationship between rs966221 polymorphism and ischemic stroke together with its related traits. RESULTS: In the study 276 ischemic stroke families with totally 776 participants were enrolled. Apolipoprotein B (apoB), carotid intima media thickness (cIMT), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and blood pressure were associated with ischemic stroke. In family based association test, after being adjusted for related chronic diseases, rs966221 C allele was found to be associated with cIMT in the dominant model (P=0.019), TT genotype (P=0.019) and CT genotype (P=0.007) were associated with cIMT significantly. After being adjusted for potential confounding factors, evidence of linkage was observed for rs966221 with apoB (P<0.001), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (P=0.003) and systolic blood pressure (P=0.036). CONCLUSION: Abnormal serum lipid, blood pressure and increasing cIMT were associated with ischemic stroke, and linkage was observed for with apoB, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, and systolic blood pressure; rs966221 C allele was probably associated with cIMT.

[Effects of puerarin on the neurocyte apoptosis and p-Akt (Ser473) expressions in rats with cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of puerarin (Pue) on the neurocyte apoptosis and the p-Akt (Ser473) expression in the ischemic penumbra of rats with cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R). METHODS: The 48 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups, i.e., the sham-operation group, the I/R group, the Pue treatment group, and the Pue + LY294002 treatment group (Pue + LY), 12 in each group. The cerebral I/R rat model was established by Longa's suture method. Pue and Pue + specific P13K kinase inhibitor, i.e., LY294002 were administered. The score of the neurological deficit was estimated 1 h followed by 24 h reperfusion. The infarct volume was measured using TTC staining. The number of apoptotic neurons were detected using Tunel method. The expressions of p-Akt (Ser473) was detected using immunohistochemical assay, and the images were analyzed. RESULTS: The score of the neurological deficit decreased more obviously, the number of apoptosis decreased more significantly, the expressions of p-Akt (Ser473) increased more significantly in the Pue group than in the I/R group (all P < 0.05). The score of the neurological deficit increased more obviously, the number of apoptosis increased more significantly, the expression of p-Akt (Ser473) decreased more significantly in the Pue + LY group than in the Pue group (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Pue reduced the apoptosis of neurocytes and had protective effects against cerebral I/R injury possibly through activating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

Effects of puerarin on the neurocyte apoptosis and p-Akt (Ser473) expressions in rats with cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effects of puerarin (Pue) on the neurocyte apoptosis and the p-Akt (Ser473) expression in the ischemic penumbra of rats with cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The 48 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups, i.e., the sham-operation group, the I/R group, the Pue treatment group, and the Pue + LY294002 treatment group (Pue + LY), 12 in each group. The cerebral I/R rat model was established by Longa's suture method. Pue and Pue + specific P13K kinase inhibitor, i.e., LY294002 were administered. The score of the neurological deficit was estimated 1 h followed by 24 h reperfusion. The infarct volume was measured using TTC staining. The number of apoptotic neurons were detected using Tunel method. The expressions of p-Akt (Ser473) was detected using immunohistochemical assay, and the images were analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The score of the neurological deficit decreased more obviously, the number of apoptosis decreased more significantly, the expressions of p-Akt (Ser473) increased more significantly in the Pue group than in the I/R group (all P < 0.05). The score of the neurological deficit increased more obviously, the number of apoptosis increased more significantly, the expression of p-Akt (Ser473) decreased more significantly in the Pue + LY group than in the Pue group (all P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Pue reduced the apoptosis of neurocytes and had protective effects against cerebral I/R injury possibly through activating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.</p>

Adsorption of phosphate on hydroxyaluminum- and hydroxyiron-montmorillonite complexes.

One hydroxyaluminum-montmorillonite complex (HyAl-Mt), two hydroxyiron-montmorillonite complexes (HyFe-Mts) with different iron contents, and three hydroxyiron/aluminum-montmorillonite complexes (HyFeAl-Mts) with various Fe:Al molar ratios were synthesized. Behavior and kinetics of phosphate (P) sorption on selected Mt-complexes mentioned above were investigated under acidic conditions. The results indicated that the intercalations of polymeric HyFe and/or HyAl ions in interlayers of Na-saturated montmorillonite (Na-Mt) caused significant changes in surface properties of the Na-Mt, such as cation exchange capacity, specific surface area, pH at zero point of charge. In pH range tested (3.0-6.5), P adsorption on the Mt-complexes decreased with increasing pH, whereas the effect became weaker with increasing Fe contents in the Mt-complexes. The adsorption capacities of the HyFeAl-Mts were greater than those of the HyAl-Mt and HyFe-Mt, which could be attributed to decreasing crystallinity of Fe and Al oxides in the HyFeAl-Mts. The equilibrium adsorption of P on the Mt-complexes could be well described using the Langmuir isotherm, and the kinetics of P adsorption could be well described by both the pseudo-second-order and Elovich models. An increase in Fe contents in the Mt-complexes could enhance the initial kinetic rate of P adsorption, as suggested by the Elovich models. It is inferred that a great number of Fe-related active sorption sites have been located on the outer surfaces of the HyFe-Mt, as indicated by extremely high alpha value in the Elovich model. Previous studies focusing mainly on P sorption on HyAl-Mt complexes might have underestimated the contributions of Mt-complexes to P retention in acidic soils high in Fe contents.

Morphology and hemodynamics in acute Stanford type B aortic dissection: quantification by MRI / 中华放射学杂志

Objective To analyse the flow characteristics in the true lumen and false lumen,and the relationship between the flow characteristics and the collapse degree of the true lumen using MRI.Methods Eleven patients with acute Stanford type B aortic dissection were examined by true FISP、3D CE MRA、PC cine MRI on a Siemens Sonata 1.5 T.Not only the quantitative data on the hemodynamics such as peak velocity,average velocity,average flow volume,forward volume,retrograde volume and net volume,and the area of the true lumen and false lumen can be acquired,but also the blood flow model,ie the velocity-mapping.Then we analysed the relationship between the flow characteristics and the collapse degree of the true lumen.Results The average area of the false lumen in the proximal descending aorta(about 2 cm distal to the entry)was(8.10±2.93)cm2,and(2.59±0.93)cm2 of the true lumen in the same slice (P＜0.05).The average velocity in the false lumen,(2.81±0.73)cm/s,was significantly lower than in the true lumen[(15.52±2.84)cm/s,P＜0.01],wheras the average flow(36.32±5.37)ml/s,was not significantly difierent(P＞0.05)from the average flow in the false lumen(37.62±24.58)ml/s.The velocity-mapping curve looked like same in the true and false lumen in this level.And in the abdominal aorta(about the level of the hepatic hilar),the average flow(10.46±5.57)cm/s was significantly lower(P＜0.05)than in true lumen[(4.04±2.96)cm/s].At this level,the direction of blood flow in the true lumen was retrograde(upward)in the mid and late systolic phase in six patients,and normal in the diastolic phase and early systolic phase,that was to say,bidirectional blood flow can be caught in the true lumen of the abdominal aorta.The collapse degree of the true lumen was closely correlated with the the average velocity and the flow volume in the false Iumen,and the coefficient correlation and P value were 0.931 and 0.000,0.926 and 0.000 respectively.Conclusions PC cine MRI can quantitatively measure the peak velocity,average velocity,average flow volume,forward volume,retrograde volume and net volume,and combined with 3D CE MRA can evaluate the collapse degree of the true lumen.It is important for clinical application in the diagnosis,therapeutic management and the therapeutic opportunity choice of the acute Stanford type B aortic dissection.

A Preliminary Study on Non-invasive Measurement of Intra-abdominal Pressure / 航天医学与医学工程

Objective To present a new method and design of an instrument for measuring intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) non-invasively. Method A pressure sensor (YH-4) and a displacement sensor (sliding rheostat) were assembled into a probe so that they work in a linear mode. When this assembled instrument probe acts on the abdominal wall of a subject, a pressure as called the external abdominal pressure (EAP), and a corresponding displacement were detected. A relationship was established mathematically between the IAP measured by non-invasive and invasive method, and IAP was calculated by EAP measurement indirectly non-invasively. Result The method was testified by animal experiment in rabbits. And the preliminary results indicated that linear relation between EAP and IAP was obtained. Conclusion Feasibility of the new method is validated by animal experiment. It provides scientific evidence for further clinical experiment.