Synthesis and evaluation of L-quebrachitol derivatives against platelet aggregation.

Thrombosis plays an important role in the occurrence and development of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases that contribute to high mortality and morbidity in patients. L-(-)-Quebrachitol (QCT), a natural product, was first isolated from quebracho bark. It can inhibit PAF receptor and decrease gastric damage induced by indomethacin, as a drug against platelet aggregation. Here, five QCT derivatives were synthesized and investigated for their inhibitory effects on platelet aggregation. Among them, compound 3a showed anticoagulant effects comparable to aspirin, while compound 4b showed dose-independent inhibitory activities in rats that were stronger than aspirin.

Transcriptomic Analysis Provides Insights into Candidate Genes and Molecular Pathways Involved in Growth of Mytilus coruscus Larvae.

Growth is a fundamental aspect of aquaculture breeding programs, pivotal for successful cultivation. Understanding the mechanisms that govern growth and development differences across various stages can significantly boost seedling production of economically valuable species, thereby enhancing aquaculture efficiency and advancing the aquaculture industry. Mytilus coruscus, a commercially vital marine bivalve, underscores this importance. To decipher the intricate molecular mechanisms dictating growth and developmental disparities in marine shellfish, we conducted transcriptome sequencing and meticulously analyzed gene expression variations and molecular pathways linked to growth traits in M. coruscus. This study delved into the molecular and gene expression variations across five larval development stages, with a specific focus on scrutinizing the differential expression patterns of growth-associated genes using RNA sequencing and quantitative real-time PCR analysis. A substantial number of genes-36,044 differentially expressed genes (DEGs)-exhibited significant differential expression between consecutive developmental stages. These DEGs were then categorized into multiple pathways (Q value < 0.05), including crucial pathways such as the spliceosome, vascular smooth muscle contraction, DNA replication, and apoptosis, among others. In addition, we identified two pivotal signaling pathways-the Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway and the TGF-beta (TGF-ß) signaling pathway-associated with the growth and development of M. coruscus larvae. Ten key growth-related genes were pinpointed, each playing crucial roles in molecular function and the regulation of growth traits in M. coruscus. These genes and pathways associated with growth provide deep insights into the molecular basis of physiological adaptation, metabolic processes, and growth variability in marine bivalves.

Ambiguity-aware breast tumor cellularity estimation via self-ensemble label distribution learning.

In this work, we address the task of tumor cellularity (TC) estimation with a novel framework based on the label distribution learning (LDL) paradigm. We propose a self-ensemble label distribution learning framework (SLDL) to resolve the challenges of existing LDL-based methods, including difficulties for inter-rater ambiguity exploitation, proper and flexible label distribution generation, and accurate TC value recovery. The proposed SLDL makes four main contributions which have been demonstrated to be quite effective in numerous experiments. First, we propose an expertness-aware conditional VAE for diversified single-rater modeling and an attention-based multi-rater fusion strategy that enables effective inter-rater ambiguity exploitation. Second, we propose a template-based label distribution generation method that is tailored for the TC estimation task and constructs label distributions based on the annotation priors. Third, we propose a novel restricted distribution loss, significantly improving the TC value estimation by effectively regularizing the learning with unimodal loss and regression loss. Fourth, to the best of our knowledge, we are the first to simultaneously leverage inter-rater and intra-rater variability to address the label ambiguity issue in the breast tumor cellularity estimation tasks. The experimental results on the public BreastPathQ dataset demonstrate that the SLDL outperforms the existing methods by a large margin and achieves new state-of-the-art results in the TC estimation task. The code will be available from https://github.com/PerceptionComputingLab/ULTRA.

Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) inhibitors: Current research and prospective.

Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), a member of the Toll-like receptor (TLR) family, is involved in innate immunity and mediates inflammatory responses by recognizing lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or bacterial endotoxins. Hyperactivation of TLR4 triggers the production of various inflammatory factors, which are associated with the development of a variety of diseases, such as sepsis, endotoxemia, acute lung injury, rheumatoid arthritis, and cardiovascular diseases. And anti-inflammatory potential of TLR4 inhibitors have been validated. In this review, we discuss TLR4 inhibitors that can bind directly to TLR4 or the TLR4/MD2 complex, and provide a brief introduction to compounds that can downregulate the expression of TLR4. We focused on the possible modes by which the TLR4 inhibitors bind to the TLR4 or TLR4/MD2 complex. Three compounds targeting TLR4 have entered clinical trials, but unfortunately, two of them have been discontinued due to poor efficacy. Therefore, the discovery of effective small molecular compounds is the main research focus for TLR4 inhibitor design. In this review, by summarizing results from molecular dynamics simulation and molecular docking, we found that the Arg241 residue of TLR4 and the Tyr102, Ser120, and Lys122 residues of MD2 are involved in the binding of antagonistic ligands to the TLR4/MD2 complex; this is useful information for structure-based TLR4 inhibitor design.

SET Protein in Cancer: A Potential Therapeutic Target.

SET protein is a multi-functional oncoprotein that is ubiquitously expressed in most tumor cells. Dysregulation of SET has been associated with many types of cancer. Due to ever-accumulating evidence of its strong correlation with both poor prognosis and drug resistance, the targeting of SET is starting to be explored. SET is currently regarded as a potential target for cancer therapy, and several inhibitors are being developed for clinical trials. In this review, the physiological and pathological functions of SET, as well as its antagonists, will be discussed along with the prospects and challenges involved with translating SET inhibitors into bona fide therapeutic options.

Midterm surgical results of the lamina with spinous process in treating one-level thoracic or lumbar tuberculosis: a retrospective study.

A retrospective study investigated the results of the lamina with spinous process (LSP) as a bone graft in one-level thoracic or lumbar spinal tuberculosis with the one-stage posterior approach of debridement, fusion and internal instrumentation. Data from 35 patients from January 2013 to December 2015 were analysed. Surgery time, blood loss, hospitalization time, drainage volume, and follow-up (FU) duration were recorded. The visual analogue scale (VAS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) grade, segmental angle, and bone fusion were compared between preoperative and final FU. All of the patients were followed up for a mean 43.90 ± 10.39 months. The mean age, surgery time, blood loss, hospitalization time, hospital cost and drainage volume were 33.65 ± 11.06 years, 182.40 ± 23.82 min, 280.80 ± 76.82 mL, 14.05 ± 3.58 days, 74,382.00 ± 11,938.00 yuan, and 340.00 ± 167.20 mL, respectively. VAS and ODI were significantly improved at the final FU. The ESR and CRP recovered to normal. The mean angle of 24.35 ± 5.74°preoperatively showed a significant difference between 1 week, postoperatively and final FU. Although there were the loss of angle at final FU comparing with the 1 week postoperatively, it still maintain the good alignment and the segmental stability. All patients achieved bony fusion with a mean time of 12.90 ± 3.91 months. In conclusion, the LSP as a structural bone graft is reliable, safe and effective for segmental stability reconstruction, which could be one choice for surgical management of thoracic or lumbar spinal TB.

Imaging evaluation of nano-hydroxyapatite/polyamide 66 strut in cervical construction after 1-level corpectomy: a retrospective study of 520 patients.

BACKGROUND: The application of nano-hydroxyapatite/polyamide 66(n-HA/PA66) struts has become reliable in anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion (ACCF) as a source of sufficient segmental stability. This was a retrospective and long-term imaging evaluation of the n-HA/PA66 strut in 1-level ACCF. METHODS: The patients between June 2006 and December 2014, who underwent 1-level ACCF using an n-HA/PA66 strut, were reviewed. The neurological status was assessed using the Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score and axial pain was evaluated using a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score and the radiographic parameters were determined by X-ray and 3-D CT examinations when necessary for the evaluation of bone fusion using the Brantigan scale and imaging characteristics. RESULTS: A total of 520 patients underwent one-level ACCF, with a mean follow-up (FU) duration of 72.38 ± 24.56 months. The level of surgery was C4 in 58 cases, C5 in 173 cases, C6 in 208 cases, and C7 in 81 cases. According to the Brantigan scale, on X-ray examination, the bony fusion rate was observed to be 40%, 70%, 93%, and 98% at 3 months, 6 months, 1 year and the final FU. An interesting radiographic appearance of the bone graft growth pattern was classified into three types. 95% of the patients accounted for types a and b. No significant differences were observed in age, hospitalization duration, surgical haemorrhage volume, or fusion rate among the types except in the percentage and sex of the patients among the types. Type a had better cervical lordosis, and less subsidence than types b and c (P < 0.05). No significant difference was found in segment angle between type a and type b. Type c was more often observed with subsidence rate, segmental angle loss and cervical alignment loss than types a and b (P < 0.05). Type a also had a slightly higher fusion rate, than types b and c, but there were no significant differences. The overall mean JOA score at the final follow-up among the groups were significantly improved comparing that preoperatively and no significant differences were found among the groups, no matter pre-operation or final follow-up. The overall mean VAS score at the final follow-up among the groups were significantly improved comparing that preoperatively and no significant differences in preoperative VAS score were found among the groups. However, the VAS score at the final follow-up of type a or type b was better than type c. No patients received revision surgery. CONCLUSIONS: The type a bone graft growth pattern could allow a lower incidence of subsidence and better maintenance of local and global alignment to be achieved and is thus proposed for surgeons.

Implant complications after one-level or two-level cervical disc arthroplasty: A retrospective single-centre study of 105 patients.

The aim of study was to investigate the complications of cervical disc arthroplasty (CDA) and to discuss the factors affecting the mobility of the prosthesis and the measures to prevent these complications. Hundred and five patients who underwent CDA between 2009 and 2016 were enrolled. The clinical and radiographic outcomes were used to assess and the complications were recorded as well.All the patients were followed-up with an average of 41.30 ±â€Š16.90 months with an average age of 47.90 ±â€Š9.22 years. The visual analogue scale (VAS), neck disability index (NDI), and Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scores improved significantly at the final follow-up (FU) compared with the preoperative values. At the final FU, the overall incidence of heterotopic ossification (HO) was 51.42%. The distribution of different grades of HO was low-level HO (53.7%) and high-level HO (46.3%). No significant differences were found in the NDI, VAS, or JOA scores between patients with HO and those without HO (P > .05). In the high-level HO patients, the range of mobility (ROM) was significantly reduced compared with the low-level HO patients and those without HO (P < .05). The anterior displacement, subsidence, and instability were observed in 1 patient respectively and the segmental kyphosis, adjacent segment degeneration in 3 patients respectively. The patient of CDA instability also suffered severe neck pain and the revision surgery was performed.Postoperative complications in CDA such as HO, segmental kyphosis, and prosthesis displacement are prone to occur, affecting prosthesis mobility. Surgical indications should be strictly controlled, and intraoperative and postoperative treatments should be given great attention in order to reduce prosthesis-related complications.

Complications rate of and risk factors for the unplanned reoperation of degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis in elderly patients: a retrospective single-Centre cohort study of 33 patients.

BACKGROUND: The study was to investigate the complications rate of and risk factors for unplanned reoperation among elderly patients who underwent posterior lumbar fusion (PLF) for degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis (DLS). METHODS: A total of 1100 DLS patients who were older than 60 years were reviewed from January 2006 to December 2016. 33 patients underwent unplanned reoperations and were analysed and divided into two groups (group A: posterolateral fusion, 650 patients; group B: intervertebral fusion, 450 patients). Sex, body mass index (BMI), radiographic data and clinical outcome data were analysed to evaluate the complications rate of and the risk factors for unplanned reoperations. RESULTS: A total of 33 patients underwent unplanned reoperations (3%). The patients were followed up for an average of 4.20 ± 2.25 years (group A) and 4.32 ± 2.54 years (group B) without a significant difference. Significant differences were found in mean age, levels of involvement, hospital stay, surgery time, and blood loss between the groups. The causes of unplanned operation were wound infection, screw misplacement, neurological deficit, nonunion, and screw fracture, which were significant except for wound infection between the groups. Higher BMI (obesity), diabetes mellitus (DM), more bleeding and sex (female) were risk factors for complications. Cases of screw misplacement, neurological deficit, nonunion and screw fracture in group A were more significant than those in group B. CONCLUSION: Patients with higher BMI, DM, older age, posterolateral fusion, and female sex predicted a higher incidence of unplanned reoperations. Spine surgeons may need to pay more attention to their preoperative training and to improving surgical techniques that could reduce the reoperation rate.

Effects of type 1 diabetes mellitus on lumbar disc degeneration: a retrospective study of 118 patients.

BACKGROUND: The study aimed to investigate the correlation between type 1 diabetes (T1D) and lumbar disc degeneration (LDD). METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 118 patients with T1D recruited from January 2014 to March 2019 was performed, and multivariate logistic regression was used to analyse the incidence of T1D; the age, sex, and body mass index (BMI) of the patients; the disease duration and the glycosylated haemoglobin and venous blood glucose levels. All patients who suffered low back pain were assessed by MRI using the Pfirrmann grading system. RESULTS: A total of 118 patients with an average age of 36.99 ± 17.01 (8-85 years) were reviewed. The mean hospitalization duration, venous glucose fluctuation range, glycated haemoglobin level, highest venous glucose level, venous glucose level, and disease course duration were 13.98 ± 10.16 days, 14.99 ± 5.87 mmol/L, 9.85 ± 2.52 mmol/L, 25.29 ± 7.92 mmol/L, 13.03 ± 5.75 mmol/L and 7.30 ± 8.41 years. The average Pfirrmann scores of the different discs were 2.20 ± 0.62 (L1-2), 2.35 ± 0.67 (L2-3), 2.90 ± 0.45 (L3-4), 4.20 ± 0.52 (L4-5) and 4.10 ± 0.72 (L5-S1). The patients with T1D showed severe disc degeneration. The male sex, glycosylated haemoglobin, venous glucose and venous glucose fluctuations were significantly associated with LDD (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Glycosylated haemoglobin, the male, venous glucose and the venous glucose fluctuation range were risk factors for LDD.

Transverse process strut and titanium mesh cages in the stability reconstruction of thoracic single segment tuberculosis: a retrospective single-center cohort study.

BACKGROUND: A retrospective and comparative study of transverse process strut (TPS, Group A) compared with titanium mesh cages (TMCs, Group B) in the reconstruction of thoracic stability through the one-stage posterior approach to treat single-segment tuberculosis. METHODS: Sixty patients from January 2013 to December 2016 were analyzed and divided into two groups. The following data of clinical and radiographical assessments were observed preoperatively, postoperatively and during follow-up (FU). RESULTS: The patients were followed up for an average of 50.20 ± 25.10 months (Group A) and 48.70 ± 27.30 months(Group B) without significant difference. No significant differences were found in the mean of operation time in minutes, blood loss, hospitalization time, drainage and follow-up duration between the groups. The VAS, ODI, ESR and CRP were reduced significantly at the final FU compared with the preoperation values and there was no significance between the groups. Neurological deficits were improved in all patients at the final FU without significant difference between the groups(P > 0.05). The bony fusion times were 5.85 ± 1.82 months and 8.4 ± 5.1 months with significant difference(P < 0.05). Comparing with the preoperative values, the kyphosis angle significantly improved, but at the final FU the significant difference was found between the groups (P < 0.05). The loss of the angular correction and the fused segmental height in group A was lower than that in group B (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: TPS had a better osseous fusion rate, effective maintenance of fused segment stability which is a good bone graft for surgical management of single-segment thoracic spinal tuberculosis.

Risk factors of adjacent segmental fractures when percutaneous vertebroplasty is performed for the treatment of osteoporotic thoracolumbar fractures.

The study aimed to analyze the radiographic and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings that might predict the risk for adjacent segmental fractures (ASFs) when percutaneous vertebroplasty (PV) is used for the treatment of osteoporotic thoracolumbar fractures (OTFs). A total of 92 OTFs patients who underwent PV between January 2013 and January 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. The visual analog scale (VAS), Oswestry-Disability Index (ODI) and radiolographic measurements were assessed. The VAS and ODI scores improved significantly at the final follow-up (FU) compared with the preoperation scores. Compared with the preoperative values, the fractured body alignment (FBA) significantly improved at the 3-month FU and the final FU, but the adjacent segment alignment (ASA) and thoracolumbar alignment (TLA) did not improve. According to the correlation analysis, the final FU TLA and the final FU ASA were correlated with the preoperative FBA, ASA, and TLA on plain radiography and were highly correlated on MRI. However, the final FU FBA was not correlated with the preoperative FBA, ASA, or TLA on plain radiography or MRI (P > 0.05). The ASFs were correlated with the 3-month FU TLA (r = 0.6044, P = 0.0037) and the final FU TLA (r = 0.5699, P = 0.007) on plain radiography, and the final TLA was more correlated with the preoperative FBA, ASA, and TLA on MRI than on plain radiography. In conclusion, the preoperative ASA and TLA on MRI were risk factors associated with ASFs in OTFs treated with PV.

Vertebroplasty and vertebroplasty in combination with intermediate bilateral pedicle screw fixation for OF4 in osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures: a retrospective single-Centre cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Although various studies have described the outcomes and complications of each treatment for OF 4 in osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCFs), there is still no consensus on the optimal treatment regimen. This study aimed to investigate the clinical effect of OF 4 in patients with OVCFs treated with percutaneous vertebroplasty (PV) compared with PV in combination with intermediate bilateral pedicle screw fixation (IBPSF). METHODS: A total of 110 patients with OF 4 in OVCFs from January 2011 to December 2013 were reviewed retrospectively and divided into two groups (group A: PV, group B: PV + IBPSF). According to the guidelines of the German Society for Orthopaedics and Trauma (DGOU), OF 4 consists of 3 fracture types. The clinical and radiographic assessments were observed preoperatively, postoperatively, and during follow-up. RESULTS: The patients were followed for an average of 60.50 ± 15.20 months (group A) and 58.20 ± 17.60 months (group B) without significant differences. No significant differences were found in BMD, BMI and cement volume between the two groups, but differences were found for operation time, blood loss, and hospitalization time. The VAS and ODI scores improved better significantly at the final follow-up in group B but not in group A. Compared with the preoperative values, the postoperative kyphosis angle and loss of fractured segment height significantly improved, but the difference between the groups was significant after 3 months postoperatively. The loss of angular correction and fractured segment height in group A were greater than those in group B. A total of 15 cases of cement leakage were observed in group A and 8 cases in group B, and no complications or revision surgeries were observed in either group. Thirteen new fractures occurred (11 in group A and 2 in group B), which was significant. CONCLUSION: PV with IBPSF could provide effective restoration and maintenance of fractured segment height and segment alignment as well as a lower rate of complications of OF 4 in OVCFs.

One-stage posterior debridement with transverse process strut as bone graft in the surgical treatment of single-segment thoracic tuberculosis: A retrospective single-center study.

This retrospective study investigated the effect of the novel bone graft transverse process strut (TPS) in single segmental thoracic spinal tuberculosis (TB) with the one-stage posterior approach of debridement, fusion, and internal instrumentation. Thirty patients treated in our department from March 2014 to October 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. Surgical time, blood loss, hospitalization time, drainage volume, and follow-up (FU) duration were recorded. The visual analog scale (VAS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) grade, segmental angle, and bone fusion were compared between preoperative and final FU. All the patients were followed for a mean 50.10 ±â€Š25.10 months; the mean age, surgical time in minutes, blood loss, hospitalization time, and drainage volume were 46.23 ±â€Š17.20 years, 195.08 ±â€Š24.0 minutes, 280.77 ±â€Š189.90 mL, 17.31 ±â€Š4.23 days, 436.92 ±â€Š193.81 mL, respectively. VAS and ODI scores were significantly improved at the final FU. The ESR and CRP returned to normal. All patients achieved bony fusion with a mean time of 5.85 ±â€Š1.82 months and a mean segmental angle of 18.77 ±â€Š2.49° preoperatively, which significantly decreased to 9.31 ±â€Š1.54° at the final FU (P < .05). No complications, such as bone graft failure, pleural effusion, fistula, or wound infection were recorded except for cerebrospinal fluid leakage (one case), water electrolyte imbalance (5 cases), superficial infection (1 case), and mild intestinal obstruction (1 case). TPS as a bone graft is reliable, safe, and effective for segmental stability reconstruction for surgical management of single-segment thoracic spinal TB.

Nanohydroxyapatite/polyamide 66 strut subsidence after one-level corpectomy: underlying mechanism and effect on cervical neurological function.

The aim of this study was to investigate n-HA/PA66 strut subsidence after one-level in Anterior cervical corpectomy decompression and fusion (ACCF) and its effect on treatment outcomes to better understand the underlying mechanism and related risk factors. In total, 56 patients undergoing ACCF using n-HA/PA66 struts were analysed retrospectively. After a 12-month follow-up, the height of the fused segments and fused intervertebral heights were measured, the neurological findings were evaluated using the Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) and axial pain was assessed using a Visual Analogue Scale(VAS). Subsidence was defined as a decrease in the height of the fused segments or the fused intervertebral body greater than 3 mm compared with that on postoperative day one, and all patients were assigned to the n-HA/PA66 strut subsidence and control groups. In total, 45 patients experienced n-HA/PA66 strut subsidence during the postoperative (3 ± 2.42/3.11 ± 2.01) months. No significant differences were observed in sex, age, hospitalization time, surgical haemorrhage,bone mineral density (BMD), or height in the n-HA/PA66 strut group. The JOA and VAS of neck pain in the control group improved more than those in the subsidence group, suggesting that subsidence might be correlated with poor improvement of neurological function. In conclusion, n-HA/PA66 strut subsidence is a common complication after ACCF, and the reduced height of the postoperative fused segments and the height reduction in the postoperative fused intervertebral bodies are independent risk factors of n-HA/PA66 strut subsidence.

Zinc (II)-Mediated Selective O-Benzylation of 2-Oxo-1,2-Dihydropyridines Systems.

The selective O-benzylation of 2-oxo-1,2-dihydropyridines plays a critical role in organic synthesis of natural products and biological active molecules. Herein we report a novel ternary system of ZnO, ZnCl2 and N,N-diisopropylethylamine (DIEA), that is highly effective for selective O-benzylation of 2-oxo-1,2-dihydropyridines using abundant substituted benzyl halides and related substituted 2-oxo-1,2-dihydropyridines compounds. This process allows access to a variety of O-benzyl products under mild reaction conditions, which are important synthetic intermediates in the protection of functional groups, and represents a new method toward the development for the O-benzylation of 2-oxo-1,2-dihydropyridines.

Effects of surface properties of polymer-based restorative materials on early adhesion of Streptococcus mutans in vitro.

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the effects of the surface properties of polymer-based restorative materials on early adhesion of Streptococcus mutans (UA159) in vitro. METHODS: Four direct polymer-based restorative materials, including a nanoparticle restorative (Filtek™ Z350, 3M ESPE, USA), a nano hybrid universal restorative (Filtek™ Z250 XT, 3M ESPE, USA), a low shrink posterior restorative (Filtek™ P90, 3M ESPE, USA) and a polymer-based pre-reacted glass ionomer (Beautifil II, Shofu, Japan), were selected. After polishing under different conditions, surface morphology was examined using scanning electron microscopy. Surface roughness (SR), water contact angle (CAW) and surface free energy (SFE) were determined by profilometry and the sessile drop method. Early adhesion of S. mutans was investigated using confocal laser scanning microscopy. The area occupied by adherent bacteria (A%) was calculated with COMSTAT2 software. The correlations between A% and SR, CAW, and SFE were analyzed by linear regression using SPSS 20.0 software at a significance level of 0.05. RESULTS: The value of A% was strongly correlated with SR (r=0.893, P<0.01) for surface roughness (Ra) of 0.02-0.80µm, whereas a weaker correlation was obtained between A% and SR when Ra≤0.20µm (r=0.643, P < 0.01). On super smooth surfaces (0.02µm≤Ra≤0.06µm), SR did not influence early bacterial adhesion (r=0.001, P>0.05), a medium positive correlation between A% and SFE was obtained (r=0.426, P<0.01), and no correlation between A% and CAW was found (r=-0.028, P>0.05) CONCLUSIONS: Early adhesion of S. mutans on direct polymer-based restorative materials was mainly affected by SR. SFE influenced early adhesion of S. mutans on super smooth surfaces, while hydrophobicity did not.

Impact of neoadjuvant chemotherapy on immediate breast reconstruction: a meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to perform a meta-analysis of published studies for evaluating the impact of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) on immediate breast reconstruction. METHODS: We searched medical databases to identify appropriate studies that assessed the impact of NAC on immediate breast reconstruction from the inception of this technique through April 2013. We then performed a meta-analysis of these studies. RESULTS: Our searches identified 11 studies among 1,840 citations. In the meta-analysis, NAC did not increase the overall rate of complications after immediate breast reconstruction (odds ratio [OR] = 0.59; 95% confidence interval[CI] = 0.38-0.91). The complication rate was also unaffected by NAC when we considered infections (OR = 0.82; 95% CI = 0.46-1.45), hematomas (OR = 1.35; 95% CI = 0.57-3.21), and seromas (OR = 0.77; 95% CI = 0.23-2.55). Additionally, expander or implant loss did not significantly increase in patients after NAC (OR = 1.59; 95% CI = 0.91-2.79). Only 2 studies (202 procedures) had reported total autologous flap loss, and they were included in our analysis; both studies found no association between NAC and total flap loss. CONCLUSION: Our analysis suggests that NAC does not increase the complication rate after immediate breast reconstruction. For appropriately selected patients, immediate breast reconstruction following NAC is a safe procedure. The best way to study this issue in the future is to conduct a multicenter prospective study with a longer follow-up period and more clearly defined parameters.

[Foot tapping test for lower extremity motor function of cervical spondylotic myelopathy].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the standard value of foot tapping test (FTT) in healthy population and FTT for lower extremity motor function in patients with cervical compressive myelopathy. METHODS: Totally 124 patients [68 males, (58.49±14.60) years old; 56 females, (57.55±18.27) years old] diagnosed of cervical myelopathy and 160 healthy volunteers [80 males, (45.43±17.98) years old; 80 females, (45.2±17.47) years old] participated in our study. The patients who underwent surgery were evaluated both before and 1 year after the surgery. We performed FTT and Grip and Release Test and evaluated with the modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score for cervical myelopathy. RESULTS: The value of FTT was (22.23±2.53) in myelopathic patients, significantly lower than (33.23 ±3.17) in the healthy group (decreasing with age) (P<0.05). The value of FTT was positively correlated with the lower extremity motor function of modified JOA score and the value of Grip and Release Test. In the patients who underwent surgery, the value of FTT was (22.23±2.53) preoperatively and was improved to (28.48±1.99) at one year postoperatively (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The FTT score has been improved by surgery. The FTT is an easy and useful quantitative assessment for lower extremity motor function in patients with cervical myelopathy, especially those who cannot walk.

RABEX-5 plays an oncogenic role in breast cancer by activating MMP-9 pathway.

BACKGROUND: RABEX-5, a guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) for RAB-5, plays an important role in cell mobility and altered expression associated with tumor metastasis. This study aimed to investigate the role of RABEX-5 in proliferation and metastasis of breast cancer in vitro and ex vivo. METHODS: RABEX-5 expression was examined in breast cancer, benign tumor and normal breast tissues by immunohistochemistry and western blot. Two stable cell lines were established, the MCF-7/NC negative control cell line and the MCF-7/KD cell line, which stably expressed an RNA interference (RNAi) construct that induced downregulation of RABEX-5 expression. These cell lines were utilized to evaluate the role of RABEX-5 in cell proliferation and migration in vitro and tumorigenicity in vivo. The possible role of RABEX-5 in the regulation of matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP-9) was evaluated using western blot and real-time PCR. RESULTS: RABEX-5 expression was found to be significantly higher in breast cancer tissues compared with benign tumor and normal breast tissues. High levels of RABEX-5 expression were associated with axillary lymph node metastasis. In addition, RABEX-5 silencing significantly reduced cancer cell proliferation, colony formation and migration ability in vitro and inhibited tumor growth in vivo. RABEX -5 knockdown also attenuated the migration of breast cancer cells via modulation of MMP-9 transcriptional activity. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that RABEX-5 plays an oncogenic role in breast cancer by modulating the proliferation and metastasis potential of breast cancer cells. Thus, RABEX-5 is a promising prognostic indicator for patients with breast cancer.