Variability in chewing, ruminal fermentation, digestibility and bacterial communities between subacute ruminal acidosis-susceptible and acidosis-tolerant sheep.

Sorting behaviour is a common phenomenon observed in ruminants when they are provided with a total mixed ration, which contributes to variations in the severity of subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA). Pelleted total mixed ration (PTMR) reduces sorting, but high-grain content increases acidosis risk. However, whether the variability in the severity of SARA exists in sheep fed the same high-grain PTMR is less understood. This study aimed to investigate SARA variability among individual sheep offered a high-grain PTMR, considering chewing activity, ruminal fermentation, bacterial communities and nutrient digestibility. Twenty ruminally cannulated male Hu sheep were individually housed in cages and fed a PTMR comprising 80% concentrate mix and 20% roughage. A 14-day adaptation period to the diet and facilities was provided before a 10-day sample collection period. Continuous monitoring of ruminal pH was conducted for 48 h, during which time chewing activity was also recorded. Ruminal fluid samples were collected for analysis of volatile fatty acid and microbial DNA extraction. Faecal samples were collected to measure nutrient digestibility. Based on their acidosis index, the sheep were classified into two groups: SARA-susceptible group (n = 6) and SARA-tolerant group (n = 6). The SARA-susceptible sheep exhibited a lower ruminal mean pH and minimum pH than the SARA-tolerant sheep (P < 0.05). Additionally, the SARA-susceptible group increased the acidosis index, duration and areas of pH below 5.8 and 5.6 compared to the SARA-tolerant group (P < 0.05). The SARA-susceptible group also exhibited a longer ruminating time than the SARA-tolerant group (P < 0.05). The SARA-susceptible group exhibited a tendency to increase the relative abundance of Firmicutes (P = 0.089), while simultaneously decreasing the copy number of Fibrobacter succinogenes in the rumen, as well as the digestibility of NDF and ADF compared to the SARA-tolerant group (P < 0.05). The acidosis index was found to be positively correlated with ruminating time (min/kg DM intake (DMI)) and total chewing time (min/kg DMI), but negatively correlated with the copy number of Fibrobacter succinogenes and Ruminococcus albus in the rumen. These findings indicate that there exists variability in the SARA severity among sheep when fed a high-grain PTMR, as evidenced by varied chewing activity, bacterial communities and nutrient digestibility. Ruminating time, total chewing time per kilogram of DMI as well as the copy number of Fibrobacter succinogenes and Ruminococcus albus in the rumen hold potential as indicators for assessing the severity of SARA.

Two ground-state bright solitons in fractional-order spin-orbit-coupled Bose-Einstein condensates.

We study two types of bright solitons in zero and non-zero detuning spin-orbit-coupled (SOC) Bose-Einstein condensates in fractional effect by variational and imaginary-time evolution method. The results show that the variation of SOC with fractional kinetic energy operator affects the existence and form of solitons. In particular, we found that SOC strengthγ=1.0could be a transition point. In other words, forγ<1.0andγ⩾1.0, the soliton states and pseudo-spin polarization in non-zero detuning show opposite changes. In addition, moving bright solitons with zero and non-zero detuning are studied.

Preliminary Extracellular Vesicle Profiling in Drainage Fluid After Neck Dissection in OSCC.

Lymph node metastasis is related to poor prognosis in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), and few studies have explored the relevance of postoperative drainage fluid (PDF) in metastasis. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are nanosized vesicles that can transfer oncogenic molecules to regulate tumorigenesis. However, the proteomic profile of postoperative drainage fluid-derived EVs (PDF-EVs) in OSCC has not been elucidated. Herein, we collected drainage fluid from OSCC patients after neck dissection to investigate the difference in PDF-EVs between patients with metastatic lymph nodes (the LN+ group) and nonmetastatic lymph nodes (the LN- group). The proteomic profile of PDF-EVs from the LN+ and LN- groups was compared using label-free liquid chromatography tandem-mass spectrometry-based protein quantification. The results revealed that PDF-EVs were mainly derived from epithelial cells and immune cells. A total of 2,134 proteins in the PDF-EVs were identified, and 313 were differentially expressed between the LN+ and LN- groups. Metabolic proteins, such as EHD2 and CAVIN1, were expressed at higher levels in the LN+ group than in the LN- group, and the levels of EHD2 and CAVIN1 in the postoperative drainage fluid were positively correlated with lymph node metastasis. Our study revealed previously undocumented postoperative drainage fluid-associated proteins in patients with metastatic OSCC, providing a starting point for understanding their role in metastatic and nonmetastatic OSCC.

[Effects and mechanism of human umbilical vein endothelial cells-derived exosomes on wound healing in diabetic rabbits].

Objective: The investigate the effects and mechanism of exosomes derived from human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) on wound healing in diabetes rabbits. Methods: The experimental research methods were used. The primary vascular endothelial cells (VECs) and human skin fibroblasts (HSFs) were extracted from skin tissue around ulcer by surgical excision of two patients with diabetic ulcer (the male aged 49 years and the female aged 58 years) admitted to Xiangya Third Hospital of Central South University in June 2019. The cells were successfully identified through morphological observation and flow cytometry. The HUVEC exosomes were extracted by ultracentrifugation and identified successfully by morphological observation, particle size detection, and Western blotting detection. Twenty female 3-month-old New Zealand rabbits were taken to create one type 2 diabetic full-thickness skin defect wound respectively on both sides of the back. The wounds were divided into exosomes group and phosphate buffer solution (PBS) group and treated accordingly, with 20 wounds in each group, the time of complete tissue coverage of wound was recorded. On PID 14, hematoxylin-eosin staining or Masson staining was performed to observe angiogenesis or collagen fiber hyperplasia (n=20). The VECs and HSFs were co-cultured with HUVEC exosomes for 24 h to observe the uptake of HUVEC exosomes by the two kinds of cells. The VECs and HSFs were divided to exosome group treated with HUVEC exosomes and PBS group treated with PBS to detect the cell proliferation on 4 d of culture with cell count kit 8, to detect and calculate the cell migration rate at 24 and 48 h after scratch by scratch test, to detect the cell migration number at 24 h of culture with Transwell test, and to detect the mRNA expressions of nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) and transcription activating factor 3 (ATF3) by real time fluorescence quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Besides, the number of vascular branches and vascular length were observed in the tube forming experiment after 12 h of culture of VECs (n=3). The VECs and HSFs were taken and divided into PBS group and exosome group treated as before, and NRF2 interference group, ATF3 interference group, and no-load interference group with corresponding gene interference. The proliferation and migration of the two kinds of cells, and angiogenesis of VECs were detected as before (n=3). Data were statistically analyzed with analysis of variance for repeated measurement, one-way analysis of variance, independent sample t test, and least significant difference test. Results: The time of complete tissue coverage of wound in exosome group was (17.9±1.9) d, which was significantly shorter than (25.2±2.3) d in PBS group (t=4.54, P<0.05). On PID14, the vascular density of wound in PBS group was significantly lower than that in exosome group (t=10.12, P<0.01), and the collagen fiber hyperplasia was less than that in exosome group. After 24 h of culture, HUVEC exosomes were successfully absorbed by VECs and HSFs. The proliferative activity of HSFs and VECs in exosome group was significantly higher than that in PBS group after 4 d of culture (with t values of 54.73 and 7.05, respectively, P<0.01). At 24 and 48 h after scratch, the migration rates of HSFs (with t values of 3.42 and 11.87, respectively, P<0.05 or P<0.01) and VECs (with t values of 21.42 and 5.49, respectively, P<0.05 or P<0.01) in exosome group were significantly higher than those in PBS group. After 24 h of culture, the migration numbers of VECs and HSFs in exosome group were significantly higher than those in PBS group (with t values of 12.31 and 16.78, respectively, P<0.01). After 12 h of culture, the mRNA expressions of NRF2 in HSFs and VECs in exosome group were significantly higher than those in PBS group (with t values of 7.52 and 5.78, respectively, P<0.05 or P<0.01), and the mRNA expressions of ATF3 were significantly lower than those in PBS group (with t values of 13.44 and 8.99, respectively, P<0.01). After 12 h of culture, the number of vascular branches of VECs in exosome group was significantly more than that in PBS group (t=17.60, P<0.01), and the vascular length was significantly longer than that in PBS group (t=77.30, P<0.01). After 4 d of culture, the proliferation activity of HSFs and VECs in NRF2 interference group was significantly lower than that in PBS group and exosome group (P<0.05 or P<0.01); the proliferation activity of HSFs and VECs in ATF3 interference group was significantly higher than that in PBS group (P<0.05 or P<0.01) and significantly lower than that in exosome group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). At 24 and 48 h after scratch, the migration rates of HSFs and VECs in ATF3 interference group were significantly higher than those in PBS group (P<0.05 or P<0.01) and significantly lower than those in exosome group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). At 24 and 48 h after scratch, the migration rates of HSFs and VECs in NRF2 interference group were significantly lower than those in PBS group and exosome group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). After 24 h of culture, the migration numbers of VECs and HSFs in ATF3 interference group were significantly more than those in PBS group (P<0.05) and significantly less than those in exosome group (P<0.05 or P<0.01); the migration numbers of VECs and HSFs in NRF2 interference group were significantly less than those in PBS group and exosome group (P<0.01). After 12 h of culture, the vascular length and number of branches of VECs in NRF2 interference group were significantly decreased compared with those in PBS group and exosome group (P<0.01); the vascular length and number of branches of VECs in ATF3 interference group were significantly increased compared with those in PBS group (P<0.01) and were significantly decreased compared with those in exosome group (P<0.01). Conclusions: HUVEC exosomes can promote the wound healing of diabetic rabbits by promoting the proliferation and migration of VECs and HSFs, and NRF2 and ATF3 are obviously affected by exosomes in this process, which are the possible targets of exosome action.

A minimized and efficient low temperature loading device for indentation.

A minimized and efficient low temperature loading device cooling with Peltier coolers for indentation test is developed. Both specimen and indentation tip are immersed in 50% methanol-water solution, totally eliminating the contact thermal drift problem. Low temperature indentation tests down to 253.8 K can be realized within 10 min. The size of the device is miniaturized within 50 × 40 × 30 mm3, and no vacuum environment is required. Monocrystalline copper is tested to perform the feasibility of the device. Based on the simple structure and stable experimental effect, the developed device can be integrated into various types of current indentation devices to attach low temperature testing ability.

[Contribution of central motion conduction time to the assessment of corticospinal tract lesions and its clinical significance].

Objective: To investigate the association of central motion conduction time (CMCT) with corticospinal tract lesions and its clinical application. Methods: Patients who completed transcranial magnetic stimulation-motor evoked potentials were included from Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital between June 2020 and June 2021. The differences of CMCT values between corticospinal tract sign-positive group and tendon reflex-positive group and the relevant negative groups were compared. The consistency between increased CMCT values and the positive signs of corticospinal tract damage, as well as the significance of CMCT in different neurological diseases were further evaluated. Results: A total of 271 patients were included in the study, aged 12-86 (49±16) years, with 137 males (50.55%) and 134 females (49.45%). The CMCT valuesï¼»M（Q1，Q3）］from Hoffmann's sign-positive group [9.52 (8.54, 10.99) ms vs 9.03 (8.30, 9.53) ms], Babinski's sign-positive group [19.54 (16.97, 24.43) ms vs 16.85(15.63, 18.55) ms] and tendon reflex-positive group [15.38 (9.27, 19.28) ms vs 10.49(8.79, 16.60) ms] were larger than those of relevant negative groups (all P<0.01). In the Babinski sign-positive group, 78.01%(181/232) of the patients had increased CMCT, while in the Hoffmann's sign-positive group, only 26.03%(19/73) of the patients had increased CMCT, indicating that the contribution of CMCT from the lower extremities to the assessment of corticospinal tract lesions was better than that of the upper extremities. With the increase of CMCT values in lower limbs, Babinski sign positive rate increased, the difference was statistically significant(P<0.001). In nervous system diseases, the consistency between CMCT and pathological signs was 75.65% (205/271). Conclusions: The contribution of CMCT from the lower extremities to the assessment of corticospinal tract lesions is superior to that of upper limbs. The higher increase of CMCT values are more reliable for corticospinal tract damage. CMCT has a good concordance with corticospinal tract lesions in some neurological diseases, which can be used to assist clinical diagnosis.

[Clinical follow-up study of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease in children].

Objective: To summarize the clinical characteristics of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease (MOGAD) and compare the differences in efficacy of different disease-modifying drugs. Methods: An ambispective cohort study was conducted in 42 children diagnosed with MOGAD at Department of Pediatrics, Peking University First Hospital from January 2012 to March 2021 and conducted long-term follow-up to analyze clinical phenotypes and compare the efficacy of different disease-modifying drugs such as rituximab, mycophenolate mofetil and azathioprine. Kruskal-Wallis H test was used to compare the annual relapse rate of disease-modifying drugs at different times, expanded disability status scale (EDSS) score at the last follow-up, and Wilcoxon rank test was used to compare the annual relapse rate before and after modified disease therapy. The Log-rank (Mantel-Cox) survival curve was used to compare the relapse rate of different disease-modifying drugs. Results: Of the 42 cases, 22 were male and 20 were female, with the age at disease onset of 5.96 (2.33-12.90) years. The disease duration was 4.46 (1.25-13.00) years at the last follow-up with 161 clinical acute attacks. Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) was the most common phenotype of first attack and all attacks during disease course ((60% (25/42) for first attack, 38% (61/161) for all attacks). The most common clinical syndrome was neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) (50%, 21/42). Of the 42 children, 5 (12%) showed encephalitis and 6 (14%) combined with anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antibody overlap syndrome. The most commonly involved areas of brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were subcortical white matter (71%, 88/124), cortex (26%, 32/124) and periventricular white matter (25%, 32/124). Spinal cord MRI was most frequently involved in cervical (70%, 16/23) and thoracic (61%, 14/23) medulla, and 43% (10/23) longitudinally extensive transeverse myelitis. Disease-modifying drugs were used in 34 patients. The annual relapse rate after treatment with rituximab, mycophenolate mofetil and azathioprine decreased (all P<0.05) and there was no statistically significant difference in the annual relapse proportion among the groups (P=0.307). Conclusions: The most common clinical attack of first and all of MOGAD in children is ADEM, and the most common clinical syndrome is NMOSD. Rituximab, mycophenolate mofetil and azathioprine can reduce the annual relapse rate, but it is not clear effect of which treatment is better.

[Early diagnosis and treatment for burn complicated with severe paroxysmal sympathetic hyper-activity].

Objective: To investigate the early diagnosis and treatment for burn complicated with severe paroxysmal sympathetic hyperactivity (PSH). Methods: Medical records of patients with burn complicated with severe PSH, admitted to our department from April 2016 to March 2019 and meeting the inclusion criteria were analyzed retrospectively. There were 4 males and 1 female, aged 17 months to 39 years, with an average of (21±16) years. During occurrence of PSH, the vital signs of patients were routinely monitored and oxygen were given. Other treatment included central venous catheterization and infusion of electrolyte solution, infusion of plasma according to patients' condition, use of opioid analgesics and benzodiazepine sedatives, physical cooling and drug cooling, and establishment or maintenance of artificial airway and use of ventilator. Heart rate was controlled below 120 beats per minute in adults and 140 beats per minute in children with comprehensive treatment dominated by analgesia and sedation. Besides, single or multiple vasoactive agents, even in large doses were used to maintain normal blood pressure of patients. The occurrence characteristics, time, and treatment outcome of PSH were analyzed. Results: PSH happened rapidly, with a sharp increase in several minutes to dozens of minutes. Five patients were with symptoms such as high body temperature, shortness of breath, very fast heart rate, normal or elevated systolic blood pressure, hyperhidrosis, and dystonia at the onset. The symptoms occurred simultaneously or successively. According to the Clinical Feature Scale, the above-mentioned 6 indexes achieved the highest score of 3 points except of systolic blood pressure. Four patients showed dilated pupils and impaired consciousness. Among the patients, PSH occurred in the acute exudation stage in 3 patients, in the fluid reabsorption stage in 1 patient, and in the late repair stage in 1 patient. PSH of patients lasted for 3 hours to 12 days. The symptoms of 4 patients were effectively controlled, and 1 patient died of deterioration. No PSH occurred in the cured patients during follow-up of 3 to 14 months. Conclusions: Burn complicated with PSH can occur at any time before wound repair and in patients with different injury conditions. The causes of PSH include sudden burn, persistent pain, fright and fear, strange environment, low blood volume, and other adverse stimuli, and PSH is more likely to occur in children with underdeveloped brain function. Intravenous infusion of analgesics sedatives, physical therapy and medication to lower body temperature, stabilizing blood pressure and respiration are effective measures to treat PSH. PSH should be distinguished from the common complications of burns, such as sepsis, cerebral edema, hyperpyretic convulsion, transfusion response, stress disorder, etc.

[Interaction between pregnancy-induced hypertension and history of preterm birth on the risk of small for gestational age].

Objective: To investigate the interaction of pregnancy-induced hypertension and history of preterm birth on the risk of small for gestational age. Methods: Stratified multistage random sampling method was used to choose samples from 30 districts and counties of Shaanxi province. Information on childbearing-age women with their children between January 2010 and November 2013 was retrospectively collected through face-to-face questionnaire survey. The childbearing-aged women were in pregnancy or having had definite outcomes of pregnancy. Enumeration data were described by percentage, and measurement data were described by Mean±SD, and χ(2) test was used to compare the rates. Unconditional logistic regression analysis was performed to estimate the interaction between pregnancy-induced hypertension and history of preterm birth on the risk of small for gestational age, and by using small for gestational age as dependent variables, pregnancy-induced hypertension and history of preterm birth as independent variables. Confounding factors were under control. Firstly, the association between pregnancy-induced hypertension and small for gestational age has been analyzed in primiparas, secondly, interaction of pregnancy-induced hypertension and history of preterm birth on the risk of small for gestational age has been analyzed in multiparas. Results: A total of 25 751 women of childbearing age and their children were recruited. 60.55% (15 592/25 751) were primiparas, 39.45% (10 159/25 751) were multiparas, the rate of history of preterm birth was 1.89% (192/10 159) for multiparas. The incidence rates of pregnancy-induced hypertension and small for gestational age were 1.55% and 15.49% in pregnant woman (400/25 751) and their newborns (3 990/25 751). Unconditioned logistic regression analysis showed that compared with woman without pregnancy-induced hypertension, primiparas with pregnancy-induced hypertension had increased risk of small for gestational age (OR=1.43, 95%CI: 1.02-2.00, P=0.041). Regarding multiparas, the main effect of pregnancy-induced hypertension had a positive correlation with small for gestational age (OR=1.34, 95%CI: 0.91-1.96), but there was no statistical significance (P=0.138). The main effect of history of preterm birth was positively correlated with small for gestational age (OR=1.61, 95%CI: 1.13-2.31, P=0.009). The interaction term "pregnancy-induced hypertension×history of preterm birth" was positively associated with risk of small for gestational age (OR=5.93, 95%CI: 1.19-29.61, P=0.030). Conclusions: Pregnancy-induced hypertension was associated with increased risk for small for gestational age in both primiparas and multiparas, and history of preterm birth further increased risk for small for gestational age in pregnant women with pregnancy-induced hypertension, indicating that there was multiplication interaction between pregnancy-induced hypertension and history of preterm birth.

[One case of severely burned patient complicated by acute hemorrhagic necrotizing enteritis and fungal infection].

One severely burned patient, caused by heat lead slag and combined with shock, was hospitalized in our burn unit on 2nd June, 2016. The patient received treatments including anti-shock, intensive care, anti-infection, and organ protection. On post injury day 16, the patient suffered outbreak of acute hemorrhagic necrotizing enteritis after eating dumplings. Plasma and albumin were given, octreotide was intravenously infused to inhibit the secretion of intestinal fluid, the broad-spectrum antibiotics were used for anti-infection, abdominal puncture and drainage were performed, sodium tanshinone ⅡA sulfonate was applied to improve the intestinal microcirculation, ulinastatin was applied to alleviate inflammatory reaction, somatostatin was given to reduce intestinal bleeding, and voriconazole was given for antifungal treatment. The patient gradually recovered and was finally cured and discharged. Among critically ill patients, gastrointestinal tract is not only the initiating organ of sepsis, but also one of the target organs which can be easily damaged during sepsis. This case reminds us the importance of gastrointestinal management in severely burned patients.

[Effect of continuous plasma filtration adsorption on treatment of severely burned patients with sepsis].

Objective: To investigate effect of continuous plasma filtration adsorption on treatment of severely burned patients with sepsis. Methods: In January 2014 to September 2017, 86 severely burned patients with sepsis, conforming to the study criteria, were admitted to our hospital and divided into into routine treatment group and continuous plasma filtration group according to the random number table method, with 43 patients in each group. Patients in routine treatment group were treated with routine treatment after admission. Patients in continuous plasma filtration group were treated with blood filter, blood purification machine, and plasma separator for continuous plasma filtration adsorption on the basis of the routine treatment group on the second day after admission. The course of treatment in the 2 groups was 7 d. The total effective treatment rate, changes of leukocyte count (WBC), usea nitrogen, serum creatinine, neutrophile CD64, procalcitonin, and C reactive protein (CRP) before and after treatment, and mortality on 28 days after treatment of patients in 2 groups were analyzed and compared. Results: (1) The total effective treatment rate of patients in continuous plasma filtration group was 88.37% (38/43), which was significantly higher than that of the routine treatment group [65.12% (28/43), χ(2)=6.515, P=0.018]. (2) After treatment, WBC, urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, neutrophils CD64, procalcitonin, and CRP of patients in continuous plasma filtration group were significantly lower those in routine treatment group (t=6.305, 4.420, 18.537, 13.435, 12.975, 14.234, P<0.05). WBC, urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, neutrophile CD64, procalcitonin, and CRP of patients in 2 groups after treatment were significantly lower than those before treatment (t=9.459, 9.130, 25.438, 35.467, 23.471, 23.601, 3.802, 5.662, 12.067, 25.694, 20.720, 12.437, P<0.05). (3) On 28 days after treatment, mortality of patients in continuous plasma filtration group was 6.98% (3/43), which was significantly lower than that in routine treatment group [25.58% (11/43)], χ(2)=5.460, P=0.023. Conclusions: Continuous plasma filtration adsorption is effective in treating severely burned patients with sepsis, which can alleviate inflammatory reaction mediated by inflammatory cytokine with good prognosis.

Efficacy of 3D VIBE Dixon fat quantification for differentiating clear-cell from non-clear-cell renal cell carcinoma.

AIM: To assess the efficacy of three-dimensional (3D) volumetric interpolated breath-hold examination (VIBE) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with Dixon quantification for differentiating clear-cell from non-clear-cell types of renal cell carcinoma (RCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The 3D VIBE Dixon renal MRI examinations of 44 patients with 45 histologically confirmed RCCs was analysed. The fat fractions and signal intensity indexes (SIindex) of the solid portions of clear-cell and non-clear-cell RCCs were measured and compared using Student's t-test and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. The agreement of measurements among observers was evaluated by the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), and Bland-Altman plots. RESULTS: The mean values of fat fraction (13.16±7.16%) and SIindex (22.64±15.7%) in clear-cell RCCs were significantly higher than that in non-clear-cell RCCs (7.7±2% and 7.9±4.8%; p<0.001, respectively). With the area under the ROC curve (AUC) of the fat fraction at 0.811, 75% (95% CI: 55.1-89.43%) sensitivity and 76.5% (95% CI: 50.1-93.2%) specificity for diagnosing clear-cell RCC were obtained at a cut-off fat fraction value of 8.9%. With a cut-off value of 8.89%, the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity were 85.7% (95% CI: 67.3-96%) and 70.6% (95% CI: 44-89.7%), respectively. The AUC of the SIindex was 0.870 (0.766-0.973). ICC and Bland-Altman plots show excellent agreement of the tumour fat fraction and SIindex measurement between the two observers. CONCLUSION: Intracellular lipid content analysis using the 3D Dixon technique can help to differentiate clear-cell from non-clear-cell RCCs.

Low expression of miR-597 is correlated with tumor stage and poor outcome in breast cancer.

OBJECTIVE: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been reported to play important roles in the progression of breast cancer (BC). In the present study, we aimed to explore the association between miR-597 expression level and prognosis of BC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The expression levels of miR-597 were measured using quantitative Real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis. The association between miR-597 expression and clinicopathological factors was analyzed. Differences in BC patient survival were determined using the Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test. The prognostic value of miR-597 was further verified using the Cox proportional hazards regression model. RESULTS: Our data indicated that miR-597 was lowly expressed in BC compared with adjacent non-malignant tissues (p<0.001). Low miR-597 expression was observed to be closely associated with positive lymph node metastasis (p=0.001), higher TNM stage (p = 0.003), and poorer pathological differentiation (p=0.006). Furthermore, patients with lower levels of miR-597 expression had a shorter overall survival time than patients with higher miR-597 expression levels (p=0.009). In addition, multivariate Cox proportional hazards model analysis confirmed that miR-597 was an independent prognostic indicator of overall survival (p=0.005; HR 2.273; CI 95%, 1.117-4.291). CONCLUSIONS: We showed, for the first time, that decreased miR-597 expression suggested unfavorable prognosis for BC patients.

Fading and showing mechanisms of ancient color relics based on light scattering induced by particles.

Fading and showing mechanisms of ancient color paintings based on light scattering induced by particles were proposed. To confirm the mechanisms, simulated and application experiments were carried out to restore an ancient blurred color painting. Loading TiO2 particles (500-1000 nm) onto a piece of colored paper could result in blurring of the color of the paper, which is attributed to light scattering caused by air voids between the particles. Filling air voids with ionic liquid (a non-volatile solution with a high refractive index) could highlight the color by reducing scattering. These results were experimentally testified by the combination of a fluorescence probe and multi-angle reflectance spectra, in which scattering decreased the incident optical path in the painting layer while the incident optical path was increased by filling the air voids with ionic liquid. As a practical example, the proposed method was applied to highlight an ancient Chinese painting with blurred color. This investigation is very useful to restore faded color paintings.

Tunable quad-band transmission response, based on single-layer metamaterials.

We investigated the electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT)-like effects in planar metamaterials (MMs) at microwave (GHz) frequencies. The specific MMs that were used in this study consist of cut-wire resonator/ring resonator, which achieved the dual EIT-like effects in a single-layer through the bright- and quasi-dark-mode coupling and the lattice mode coupling. In addition, by varying the distance between the two resonators, the quad-band EIT spectral response in the microwave region was obtained, and the group refractive index at the EIT-like resonance of proposed design reached up to 4,000. This study provides the design approach to the multispectral EIT-like effects and might suggest potential applications in a variety of fields, for example, low-loss slow-light device, multiple switching sensor, and other sensing devices.

Production of medically useful nitric monoxide using AC arc discharge.

Inhaled nitric monoxide (iNO) is increasingly used as a medical treatment for acute respiratory distress syndrome. A course of the existing nitric monoxide (NO) therapy with gas cylinders could cost up to approximately $15,000 for an average of 30.2 h. Moreover, a gas cylinder containing a mixture of N2 and NO may potentially leak NO. The objective of this study is to develop an efficient and cost-effective on-site iNO generation system. In the present setup, NO was generated by using dry air or mixed oxygen/nitrogen (O2/N2) and an AC power source with an output power level of 5-30 W at atmospheric pressure. The simultaneously produced NO2 was eliminated with an ammonium sulfite ((NH4)2SO3) solution. The effects of the O2/N2 ratio, gas flow rate, discharge gap distance, output energy density and electrode structure on NOx concentration and the NO/NO2 ratio are reported. The concentrations of NO and NO2 reached 62 ppm and 3 ppm, respectively, after absorption and dilution at a gas flow rate of 6 L/min. With the present setup, the AC arc discharge produced NOx at a stable concentration for at least 6 h using dry air.

Regulation of miRNAs on c-met protein expression in ovarian cancer and its implication.

OBJECTIVE: HGF/c-met signal pathway exerts important roles in tumor pathogenesis. The study of c-met related regulatory mechanism provides the basis for finding anti-tumor molecular drugs. MiRNAs can effectively regulate gene expression and work as gene therapy. The identification of miRNAs for c-met regulation and study of related mechanism are of critical importance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Bioinformatics approach was used to search for possible miRNAs with regulatory functions on c-met gene. Using pcDNA3.1-EGFP as the scaffold, miRNAs over-expression and inhibitor plasmids were constructed for electroporation-transfection in ovarian cell line ES-2, and pcDNA3.1-EGFP empty plasmid was used as the control group. qRT-PCR and Western blot were applied to measure c-met mRNA and protein expression, followed by transwell chamber in vitro assay for the evaluation of invasion potency. RESULTS: Bioinformatics prediction showed favorable regulatory function on c-met gene by miR-204. The differential expressions of EGFP were observed between pcDNA3.1-EGFP-204-up and inhibitor plasmid pcDNA3.1-EGFP-204-down. After transfection for 24 h and 48 h, c-met expression in miR-204 over-expression group gradually decreased (p<0.05 compared to control group), accompanied with reducing cell migration or invasion potency in a time dependent manner (p<0.05). In contrast, no significant difference in the level of c-met was found in the inhibitor group and control group (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The up-regulation of miR-204 suppressed the expression of c-met in ovarian cancer cells and inhibited cell infiltration. The suppression of miR-204 expression, however, presented no significant impact on cell infiltration potency.

Regulatory mechanism of miR-29 over TGF-ß1 and COL1 in scar cells.

OBJECTIVE: To study the regulatory mechanism of miR-29 over TGF-ß1 and COL1 in scar cells. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 5 clinical cases of hypertrophic scar (HS) skin and adjacent normal skin tissues were separated into fibroblast for primary culture and subculture before being observed morphologically and standard HE staining under an ordinary optical microscope. RT-PCR method was applied to test the expression level of miR-29, TGF-ß1, and COL1 mRNA. ELISA method was applied to test the expression level of extracellular matrix COL1, fibronectin (FN) and α-SMA. The miR-29 overexpression vector was built and transfected in vitro. RT-PCR method was applied to test related genes and ELISA method was applied to test the expression level of the extracellular matrix. RESULTS: The color of karyon and cytoplasm of normal fibroblast were both light red, with little ECM. The color of karyon of scar fibroblast was blue. The cytoplasm was red of different degrees, with relatively much ECM, in deep blue color. Compared with that in the normal fibroblast group, the miR-29 mRNA in fibroblast in the scar group significantly decreased (p<0.05). The TGF-ß1 and COL1 mRNA significantly increased (p<0.05). The COL1, FN and α-SMA level were significantly higher (p<0.05) than that in the normal group. These mRNAs levels in miR-29 overexpression group were lower than scar group but higher than the normal group. CONCLUSIONS: The expression of miR-29 which regulates the expression of TGF-ß1 and COL1 and increases the level of ECM significantly decreases in scar cells. This one suggests a mechanism of the formation of the scars through TGF-ß1 and COL1.