Simple transanal total mesorectal resection versus laparoscopic transabdominal total mesorectal resection for the treatment of low rectal cancer: a single-center retrospective case-control study.

Aim: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of simple TaTNE in the treatment of low rectal cancer compared with laparoscopic transabdominal TME. Methods: We collected patients with low rectal cancer admitted to our hospital between January 2019 and November 2021 who received simple TaTME or laparoscopic transabdominal TME. The main outcome was the integrity of the TME specimen. Secondary outcomes were the number of lymph nodes dissected, intraoperative blood loss, operative time, surgical conversion rate, Specimen resection length, circumferential margin (CRM), and distal resection margin (DRM), complication rate. In addition, the Wexner score and LARS score of fecal incontinence were performed in postoperative follow-up. Results: Pathological tissues were successfully resected in all patients. all circumferential margins of the specimen were negative. Specimen resection length was not statistically significant (9.94 ± 2.85 vs. 8.90 ± 2.49, P > 0.05). The incidence of postoperative complications in group A (n = 0) was significantly lower than that in group B (n = 3) (P > 0.05). There was no significant difference in operation time between group A and group B (296 ± 60.36 vs. 305 ± 58.28, P > 0.05). Among the patients with follow-up time less than 1 year, there was no significant difference in Wexner score and LARS score between group A and group B (P > 0.05). However, in patients who were followed up for more than 1 year, the Wexner score in group A (9.25 ± 2.73) was significantly lower than that in group B (17.36 ± 10.95) and was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Conclusion: For radical resection of low rectal cancer, Simple TaTME resection may be as safe and effective as laparoscopic transabdominal TME, and the long-term prognosis may be better.

Artificial Intelligence to Detect Meibomian Gland Dysfunction From in-vivo Laser Confocal Microscopy.

Background: In recent years, deep learning has been widely used in a variety of ophthalmic diseases. As a common ophthalmic disease, meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) has a unique phenotype in in-vivo laser confocal microscope imaging (VLCMI). The purpose of our study was to investigate a deep learning algorithm to differentiate and classify obstructive MGD (OMGD), atrophic MGD (AMGD) and normal groups. Methods: In this study, a multi-layer deep convolution neural network (CNN) was trained using VLCMI from OMGD, AMGD and healthy subjects as verified by medical experts. The automatic differential diagnosis of OMGD, AMGD and healthy people was tested by comparing its image-based identification of each group with the medical expert diagnosis. The CNN was trained and validated with 4,985 and 1,663 VLCMI images, respectively. By using established enhancement techniques, 1,663 untrained VLCMI images were tested. Results: In this study, we included 2,766 healthy control VLCMIs, 2,744 from OMGD and 2,801 from AMGD. Of the three models, differential diagnostic accuracy of the DenseNet169 CNN was highest at over 97%. The sensitivity and specificity of the DenseNet169 model for OMGD were 88.8 and 95.4%, respectively; and for AMGD 89.4 and 98.4%, respectively. Conclusion: This study described a deep learning algorithm to automatically check and classify VLCMI images of MGD. By optimizing the algorithm, the classifier model displayed excellent accuracy. With further development, this model may become an effective tool for the differential diagnosis of MGD.

Microbiome and metabonomics study of quercetin for the treatment of atherosclerosis.

BACKGROUND: The molecular mechanism of quercetin in the prevention and treatment of AS has been widely reported. However, the microbial and metabolic characteristics of quercetin in AS treatment are still poorly understood. In this study, we aimed to explore the gut microbial and metabolic signatures of quercetin in AS treatment and conduct an integrative analysis on its biomechanism. METHODS: An atherosclerosis mouse model was induced by a high cholesterol diet (HCD). The duration of the quercetin treatment was 12 weeks. We measured TC, TG, HDL and LDL for plasma biochemical analysis and TNF-α and IL-6 for plasma inflammatory analysis. Haematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was conducted to evaluate the aortic structure and atherosclerosis. Bacterial DNA, which was extracted from mouse faeces, was identified by the V3-V4 regions of the 16S rRNA for microbiological analysis. The HeatMap package of BTtools was applied to visualize the data of the microbial difference matrix according to the OTU results. Fecal metabolites were assessed through LC-MS. Multivariate data analysis was conducted on the normalized data with SIMCA-P+. Significantly different metabolites were extracted based on the Pearson correlation coefficients at the level of P<0.05. Key significantly changed metabolites were screened from the intersection between metabolic signatures of the normal-model and model-quercetin groups. To investigate the biological function of quercetin on AS, we identified the differential metabolic signatures of the model vs. quercetin groups and performed KEGG analyses via MBROLE, MetaboAnalyst database. RESULTS: Quercetin treatment for 12 weeks significantly reduced the levels of TC (P<0.001), TG (P<0.05), HDL (P<0.001), LDL (P<0.001), TNF-α (P<0.001) and IL-6 (P<0.001) compared with the model group. HE staining indicated that quercetin could protect damaged vessels caused by HFD. Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes and Proteobacteria were dominant microbial groups in the samples. There was no significant difference between the three groups (P>0.05) at the phylum level, and the genera Phascolarctobacterium and Anaerovibrio can be regarded as the key microbiota signatures of quercetin treatment. PLS-DA results further showed that these 18 faecal metabolites (clustered in 3 groups) had significant differences between the control, model and quercetin groups throughout the 12-day treatment. According to the quantitative analysis results, 32 key metabolic signatures were screened for quercetin treatment. The main pathway in quercetin treatment is primary bile acid biosynthesis, as 3α,7α,12α,26-tetrahydroxy-5ß-cholestane (C27H48O4) was defined as the most important key metabolic signature. CONCLUSIONS: We explored the gut microbial and metabolic involvement of quercetin in AS treatment and suggest the association between AS and gut metabolic regulation.

The mechanism study of lentiviral vector carrying methioninase enhances the sensitivity of drug-resistant gastric cancer cells to Cisplatin.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the mechanism of lentiviral vector carrying methioninase enhances the sensitivity of drug-resistant gastric cancer cells to Cisplatin. METHODS: Death receptors, anti-apoptotic protein, NF-κB, and TRAIL pathway-related factors were detected. The influence of LV-METase transfection on cell viability and pathway-related proteins were assessed by MTT method and western blot, respectively. Different treatments (NF-κB or caspase-3 inhibitor induction, TRAIL supplement, etc.) were performed in gastric cancer cells and the above parameters were analysed. Moreover, the connection between miR-21 and NF-κB or caspase-8 was determined by Chip and luciferase assay, respectively. LV-METase transfection drug-resistant gastric cancer cells were injected subcutaneously into mice. RESULTS: The expression of free MET, miR-21-5p, MDR1, P-gp, and DR5 was significantly increased in drug-resistant gastric cancer cell lines. When cells were transfected with LV-METase, intracellular TRAIL signalling was activated while NF-κB pathway was inhibited. Besides, enhanced TRAIL signalling or repressed NF-κB pathway can promote the sensitivity of drug-resistant strains to Cisplatin, and the combination shows more sensitive to sensitisation. LV-METase promoted TRAIL expression by reducing NF-κB, thereby contributing to the downregulation of P-gp and enhancing the susceptibility of drug-resistant gastric cancer cells to Cisplatin. Furthermore, miR-21 regulated by NF-κB mediated the expression of P-gp protein via inhibiting caspase-8, thus regulating Cisplatin-induced cell death. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that LV-METase has potential as a therapeutic agent for gastric cancer treatment.

Surface-Modified Hydroxyapatite Nanoparticle-Reinforced Polylactides for Three-Dimensional Printed Bone Tissue Engineering Scaffolds.

Bone defects represent a clinical challenge that severely impacts the quality of life of affected patients. To match the shape of a bone defect area exactly, additive manufacturing has emerged as a promising technology to produce customized bone regeneration scaffolds for bone defect treatment. In this study, new three-dimensional (3D)-printed poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA)/hydroxyapatite (HA) composite scaffolds were developed. HA nanoparticles were first modified by a straightforward, economical method. Briefly, HA nanoparticles were modified with dopamine and hexamethylenediamine, and PLLA chains were grafted onto the HA nanoparticles by aminolysis reaction. Then, the PLLA-modified HA nanoparticles were blended with PLLA to form a thermoplastic composite for 3D printing. Due to the high compatibility between the PLLA matrix and PLLA-modified HA nanoparticles, the 3D-printed PLLA/HA scaffolds possess robust mechanical properties and good biocompatibility. This study provides a flexible strategy to fabricate scaffolds for the customized treatment of bone defects.

Evaluation of METase-pemetrexed-loaded PEG-PLGA nanoparticles modified with anti-CD133-scFV for treatment of gastric carcinoma.

PEG-PLGA nanoparticles (NPs) modified with anti-CD133 and tumor-targeting single-chain antibody fragment (scFV-NPs) for systemic delivery of methioninase (METase) and pemetrexed for gastric carcinoma were successfully formulated. The structure characterization and biological functions of METase-pemetrexed-loaded scFV-PEG-PLGA NPs (scFV-METase/pemetrexed-NPs) in vitro were investigated. Functional scFV-PEG-PLGA NPs or PEG-PLGA NPs present low cell cytoxicity in CD133+ SGC7901 cells. scFV-METase/pemetrexed-NPs (scFv-M/P-NP) was more effective in inhibiting tumor growth (including cell growth and migration ability) in CD133 positive expressed gastric cancer cells than METase/pemetrexed-NPs (M/P-NP). Moreover, METase enhanced the inhibitory effect of pemetrexed on thymidylate synthase (TS) synthesis and cell apoptosis. We have demonstrated the application of scFV-targeted PEG-PLGA NPs as a new potential strategy to enhance treatment benefits for gastric carcinoma.

Using a Novel CD133+ Immune Magnetic Particle to Separate Gastric Adenocarcinoma Stem Cells from Peripheral Blood and the Pluripotency Study About the Separated Cells.

Background: Stem cells isolated from peripheral blood of gastric adenocarcinoma patients have noninvasive advantages. However, at present, there is no simple and effective separation technique. Purpose: In this study, CD133+ cells were isolated from peripheral blood of patients with gastric adenocarcinoma by using specific immunomagnetic particles, and the immunology of subcultured cells was identified to evaluate whether the immune magnetic particle separation had any effect on the cells themselves. Methods: Immune magnetic particles, made by a specific technique, are used to sort out the cells whose membrane could express CD133 from peripheral blood of gastric adenocarcinoma patients. By observing the sorted cells within serum-free culturing, we compare the differences in morphology and proliferation ability between the collected cells and cells from a standard tumor cell line. At the same time, an immunofluorescence method is used to detect the expression of the CD133 antibody. Moreover, this study explores the inhibition effect on gastric adenocarcinoma stem cell growth when combining 5-fluorouracil and methionine enzymes. Results and Conclusions: The specific immunomagnetic particles have a small diameter and strong sorting characteristics. In the experiment, there were 20 patients with gastric adenocarcinoma. CD133+ cells were separated successfully from peripheral blood of 13 patients (65%), among which subcultured cells of 9 cases (69.2%) were found to express CD44+ antigens. The sorted cells grew vigorously with a variety of morphologies in non-inducing culture, while the cells induced by ß transforming growth factor presented slow growth and uniform morphology. There was a significant difference (P < 0.05) in cell proliferation between these two groups and the standard tumor cell line. In addition, 5-fluorouracil combined with methionine enzyme inhibited the growth of gastric adenocarcinoma stem cells significantly (P < 0.05). Accordingly, the CD133+/CD44+ cells from peripheral blood of gastric adenocarcinoma patients, sorted by specific immune magnetic particles, had clear stem cell properties as determined by cell function and structure. This lays a foundation for gastric adenocarcinoma stem cell extraction, culture and further research on stem cell characteristics.

Alignment error analysis of the snapshot imaging polarimeter.

A snapshot imaging polarimeter (SIP) system is able to reconstruct two-dimensional spatial polarization information through a single interferogram. In this system, the alignment errors of the half-wave plate (HWP) and the analyzer have a predominant impact on the accuracies of reconstructed complete Stokes parameters. A theoretical model for analyzing the alignment errors in the SIP system is presented in this paper. Based on this model, the accuracy of the reconstructed Stokes parameters has been evaluated by using different incident states of polarization. An optimum thickness of the Savart plate for alleviating the perturbation introduced by the alignment error of the HWP is found by using the condition number of the system measurement matrix as an objective function in a minimization procedure. The result shows that when the thickness of a Savart plate is 23 mm, corresponding to the condition number 2.06, the precision of the SIP system can reach to 0.21% at 1° alignment tolerance of the HWP.

Whole genome/proteome based phylogeny reconstruction for prokaryotes using higher order Markov model and chaos game representation.

UNLABELLED: Traditional methods for sequence comparison and phylogeny reconstruction rely on pair wise and multiple sequence alignments. But alignment could not be directly applied to whole genome/proteome comparison and phylogenomic studies due to their high computational complexity. Hence alignment-free methods became popular in recent years. Here we propose a fast alignment-free method for whole genome/proteome comparison and phylogeny reconstruction using higher order Markov model and chaos game representation. In the present method, we use the transition matrices of higher order Markov models to characterize amino acid or DNA sequences for their comparison. The order of the Markov model is uniquely identified by maximizing the average Shannon entropy of conditional probability distributions. Using one-dimensional chaos game representation and linked list, this method can reduce large memory and time consumption which is due to the large-scale conditional probability distributions. To illustrate the effectiveness of our method, we employ it for fast phylogeny reconstruction based on genome/proteome sequences of two species data sets used in previous published papers. Our results demonstrate that the present method is useful and efficient. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION: The source codes for our algorithm to get the distance matrix and genome/proteome sequences can be downloaded from ftp://121.199.20.25/. The software Phylip and EvolView we used to construct phylogenetic trees can be referred from their websites.

Whole-proteome based phylogenetic tree construction with inter-amino-acid distances and the conditional geometric distribution profiles.

There has been a growing interest in alignment-free methods for whole genome comparison and phylogenomic studies. In this study, we propose an alignment-free method for phylogenetic tree construction using whole-proteome sequences. Based on the inter-amino-acid distances, we first convert the whole-proteome sequences into inter-amino-acid distance vectors, which are called observed inter-amino-acid distance profiles. Then, we propose to use conditional geometric distribution profiles (the distributions of sequences where the amino acids are placed randomly and independently) as the reference distribution profiles. Last the relative deviation between the observed and reference distribution profiles is used to define a simple metric that reflects the phylogenetic relationships between whole-proteome sequences of different organisms. We name our method inter-amino-acid distances and conditional geometric distribution profiles (IAGDP). We evaluate our method on two data sets: the benchmark dataset including 29 genomes used in previous published papers, and another one including 67 mammal genomes. Our results demonstrate that the new method is useful and efficient.

[Role of the Th17/Treg functional imbalance on the development of atherosclerosis in apo E knockout mice].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of the helper T cells (Th) 17/Treg cell imbalance on the development of atherogenesis in apo E knockout mice. METHODS: Apo E(-/-) mice were examined at age of 6, 12, 24 and 48 weeks (n = 10 each). Age matched C57/B6 mice served as controls. The number of Th17, Treg and dendritic cell (DC) was detected by flow cytometry. The levels of interleukin(IL)-6, IL-17A and transforming growth factor(TGF)-ß1 were detected by ELISA. The suppression ability of Treg was evaluated by mixed lymphocyte reaction. RESULTS: With increasing ages, the frequencies of Th17 and Treg in CD4(+) T cells were increased (Th17 ratio from 1.00% to 3.14%; Treg ratio from 8.08% to 27.80%) and the level of IL-17A was up-regulated [from (87 ± 15) pg/ml to (191 ± 26) pg/ml], but the rate of Th17/Treg cell and the level of TGF-ß1 remained stable during atherogenesis in apo E knockout mice. Furthermore, the phenotype of splenic DC was matured and the blood level of IL-6 was up-regulated [from (43 ± 5) pg/ml to (104 ± 11) pg/ml] with aging in apo E(-/-) mice. Addition of IL-6 to T cells reversed the ability of Treg to suppress the proliferation of effective T cells. CONCLUSION: DC overactivation, subsequent increased secretion of IL-6, inhibition of Treg cell function and the Th17/Treg cell imbalance play key roles on the atherogenesis in apo E(-/-) mice.

Effects of different pacing algorithms on cumulative ventricular pacing proportion in patients with pacemakers.

BACKGROUND: It is well known that increased cumulative ventricular pacing proportion (CumVP%) is one of the most important causes for adverse cardiovascular events. Therefore, how to reduce CumVP% has been a treatment issue in recent years. This study aimed to investigate the effects of different pacing algorithms on CumVP% in patients with pacemakers. METHODS: Pacemakers with three pacing algorithms, i.e., conventional dual chamber rate adaptive pacing (DDDR), search atrioventricular conduction plus (SAV+) and managed ventricular pacing (MVP), were implanted in 42 patients including 41 with bradycardia arrhythmias and one with ventricular tachycardia. Pacemakers were programmed to work in conventional DDDR, SAV+ and MVP during the follow-up periods of the first, the second and the third month. In each pacing algorithm, the time percentages of four pacing and sense status including atrial sense-ventricular sense (AS-VS), atrial sense-ventricular pacing (AS-VP), atrial pacing-ventricular sense (AP-VS) and atrial pacing-ventricular pacing (AP-VP) were calculated. Cumulative ventricular pacing proportions were compared in the three pacing algorithms in the first, the second and the third month postoperatively. RESULTS: In the DDDR algorithm AS-VS, AS-VP, AP-VS and AP-VP were 2.4%, 52.3%, 2.5% and 42.8% respectively, while in SAV+ they were 19.3%, 34.9%, 33.9% and 12.0%, in MVP they were 38.9%, 13.2%, 41.6% and 6.4%. In the above the DDDR, SAV+ and MVP algorithms, cumulative ventricular pacing proportions were 95.1%, 46.9% and 19.6%, respectively (P < 0.05) and the percentages of CumVP% < 40% in patients were 0, 23.8% and 95.2.0% (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Compared with the conventional DDDR algorithm, both SAV+ and MVP significantly reduced the CumVP%, especially the MVP algorithm. Patients may benefit from MVP algorithm due to reduced CumVP%.

[Study of cajal interstitial cells in stomach and small intestine of rats with crude, honey-stir-baked radix polygalae and its saponins].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the changes of interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) in stomach and small intestine of rats with honey-stir-baked Radix Polygalae, crude Radix Polygalae and its saponins, so as to study mechanism of crude Radix Polygalae reducing the motility disorder in gastrointestinal tract. METHODS: Immunohistochemical staining was used to investigate the distribution of c-kit positive ICC in stomach and small intestine. RESULTS: Compared with control group, the c-kit positive ICC in stomach and small intestine of crude Radix Polygalae and its saponins groups were both markedly decreased in model group (both P < 0.01), while honey-stir-baked Radix Polygalae group can not (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The motility disorder in gastrointestinal tract caused by crude Radix Polygalae and its saponins may be associated with the changes of ICC number in stomach and small intestine. Honey-stir-baked Radix Polygalae can protect ICC in some extent.

[Design of hyperspectral imaging system based on LCTF].

A new compact lightweight imaging system for hyperspectral imaging is described. The system can be thought of as the substitute for traditional mechanical filter-wheel sensor. The system is based on different techniques. It uses an electronic controlled LCTF(liquid crystal tunable filter) which provided rapid and vibrationless selection of any wavelength in the visible to IR range. The imaging system consisted of an optic lens, a CRI VariSpec LCTF and a Dalsa 1M30 camera. First the outline of this system setup is presented, then the optics designed is introduced, next the working principle of LCTF is described in details. A field experiment with the imaging system loaded on an airship was carried out and collected hyperspectral solid image. The images obtained had higher spectral and spatial resolution. Some parts of the 540-600 nm components of the 16-band image cube were also shown. Finally, the data acquired were rough processed to get reflection spectrum(from 420 to 720 nm) of three targets. It is concluded that the experiment has proved that the imaging system is effective in obtaining hyperspectral data. The image captured by the system can be applied to spectral estimation, spectra based classification and spectral based analysis.

[The origin and nature of embryonic stem cells].

The inner cell mass (ICM), blastomeres, epiblasts and primordial germ cells (PGCs) are usually used as primary materials for the establishment of embryonic stem cell (ESC) lines. ES-like cells have even been isolated from neonatal mouse testis. ESC are traditionally regarded as ICM cells, though some scholars believe they more closely resemble cells from the epiblast. However, recent evidence of ESC molecular markers indicate that the characteristics of ESC resemble those of early germ cells. The unknown origin and nature of ESC may limit the successful establishment of ESC lines from many different species. Here we review the progress of research regarding embryonic pluripotent cells, early germ cells and ESC. We find ESC can be derived from many cell types. Future study should elucidate the origin of ESC by comparing different ESC lines so as to determine the nature of ESC and improve the efficiency of ESC derivation.

[Determination of ginsenosides Re, Rb1 in Panax quinquefolius by micellar electrokinetic chromatography].

OBJECTIVE: A Micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC) technique for the determination of ginsenosides Re, Rb1 in Panax quinquefolius was developed and validated. METHOD: The MEKC was performed in a mixed buffer solution containing 20 mmol x L(-1) boric acid, 20 mmol x L(-1) sodium tetraborate, 60 mmol x L(-1) sodium cholate (CA) and 20% acetonitrile under the applied voltage of 20 kV at 25 degrees C. The detection wavelenth was 203 nm, the sampling time is 5 sec (hydrostatic injection). RESULT AND CONCLUSION: The liner range was 0.38 - 1.65 mg x ml(-1) for Re and 0.42 - 1.76 g x L(-1) for Rb1. The average recovery for Re was 97.2%, RSD = 1.6% and that for Rb1 was 97.7%, RSD = 1.9% (n = 5). The preparation of sample is easy and the chromatogram has much information.