Comparison of linear and non-linear machine learning models for time-dependent readmission or mortality prediction among hospitalized heart failure patients.

Although many models are available to predict prognosis of heart failure patients, most tools combining survival analysis are based on proportional hazard model. Non-linear machine learning algorithms would overcome the limitation of the time-independent hazard ratio assumption and provide more information in readmission or mortality prediction among heart failure patients. The present study collected the clinical information of 1796 hospitalized heart failure patients surviving during hospitalization in a Chinese clinical center from December 2016 to June 2019. A traditional multivariate Cox regression model and three machine learning survival models were developed in derivation cohort. Uno's concordance index and integrated Brier score in validation cohort were calculated to evaluate the discrimination and calibration of different models. Time-dependent AUC and Brier score curves were plotted to assess the performance of models at different time phases.

Retraction Notice to: Silencing of the MEKK2/MEKK3 Pathway Protects against Spinal Cord Injury via the Hedgehog Pathway and the JNK Pathway.

[This retracts the article DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2019.05.014.].

miR-149 Alleviates Ox-LDL-Induced Endothelial Cell Injury by Promoting Autophagy through Akt/mTOR Pathway.

BACKGROUND: Atherosclerosis is a chronic process that takes place in the vascular wall and causes various cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Micro-RNA-149 (miR-149) mediates many physiological and pathological processes, including atherosclerosis. However, it is unclear about the roles of miR-149 in endothelial injury. Here, we explored the protective effect and related mechanism of miR-149 in endothelial cells induced with oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL). METHODS: Human endothelial cell lines (HUVECs) were exposed to ox-LDL to induce endothelial injury. Cell viability was determined by the CCK-8 assay. Autophagy was detected by immunofluorescence. RT-qPCR and western blot were carried out to determine the mRNA and protein expressions of Akt and mTOR. RESULTS: The miR-149 level in HUVECs was reduced by ox-LDL (100 µg/mL) incubation in a time-dependent manner. miR-149-mimic transfection markedly protected HUVECs from ox-LDL-induced injury, with increased cell viability and reduced caspase-3 activity. miR-149 mimics enhanced HUVEC autophagy, which was induced initially by ox-LDL. miR-149 mimics also markedly downregulated the expression of Akt, p-Akt, mTOR, and p-mTOR in ox-LDL-treated HUVECs. The miR-149-induced protection against HUVECs injury could be reversed by cotreatment with 3-methyladenine (3-MA, an autophagy inhibitor) or insulin (an activator of Akt/mTOR pathway). CONCLUSIONS: miR-149 prevents ox-LDL-induced endothelial cell injury by enhancing autophagy via increasing Akt and mTOR expressions.

Ginkgolide B Protects Cardiomyocytes from Angiotensin II-Induced Hypertrophy via Regulation of Autophagy through SIRT1-FoxO1.

Ginkgolide B (GB) is an active ingredient extracted from Ginkgo biloba leaves. However, the effects of GB on cardiac hypertrophy remain unclear. The study is aimed at determining whether GB could alleviate cardiac hypertrophy and exploring its underlying molecular mechanism. Rat cardiomyocyte cell line H9c2 cells were pretreated with GB and incubated with angiotensin II (Ang II) to simulate an in vitro cardiac hypertrophy model. Cell viability, cell size, hypertrophy markers, and autophagy were determined in H9c2 cells after Ang II treatment. Proteins involved in autophagy and the SIRT1 pathway were determined by western blot. Our data demonstrated that GB attenuated Ang II-induced cardiac hypertrophy and reduced the mRNA expressions of hypertrophy marker, atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), and ß-myosin heavy chain (ß-MHC). GB further increased Ang II-induced autophagy in H9c2 cells and modulated expressions of autophagy-related proteins Beclin1 and P62. Modulation of autophagy using autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine (3-MA) could abrogate GB-downregulated transcription of NPPA. We then showed that GB attenuated Ang II-induced oxidative stress and reduction in SIRT1 and FoxO1 protein expression. Finally, the effect of GB on autophagy and cardiac hypertrophy could be reversed by SIRT1 inhibitor EX-527. GB inhibits Ang II-induced cardiac hypertrophy by enhancing autophagy via the SIRT1-FoxO1 signaling pathway and might be a potential agent in treating pathological cardiac hypertrophy.

The diagnostic and treatment values of double-balloon enteroscopy in children's Meckel's diverticular bleeding.

ABSTRACT: The diagnostic and treatment values and safety of preoperative double-balloon enteroscopy (DBE) for Meckel's diverticula (MD) bleeding in children by retrospective review and analyses.The clinical data were collected and analyzed from 10 cases of children with MD receiving preoperative DBE examination and postoperative pathological confirmation. The diagnostic and treatment values and safety were assessed through the comparison of the DBE results and intra-operative observations and subsequently postoperative pathological results.Total cases are 10, 7 males and 3 females. The male to female ratio is 2.3 to 1. The youngest patient is 3.3 years old and oldest 12.1, the average age is 7.4 ±â€Š3.0. The lowest body weight is 12.6 kg and the average is 32.5 ±â€Š18.9 kg. The hematochezia was the main clinical manifestation in all patients with anemia and moderate to severe anemia were common (9/10, 90%). All patients had and tolerated the DBE procedures via anal route with 100% success rate. There were no observable complications during the examinations and post operations. All patients were diagnosed with MD by DBE. Exploratory laparoscopy and surgical operations were subsequently performed. All surgical samples were confirmed by pathology as bleeding MD. The postoperative follow-ups up to April 2019 (from 3 to 12 months) do not show any bleeding sign. Pathological examinations found ectopic gastric mucosa in 9 patients (90%) and one case had both ectopic gastric mucosa pancreatic tissue (10%). The distance of MD to ileocecal valve was from 60 to 100 cm (average 81.0 ±â€Š16.0 cm) by DBE examinations. Surgery showed similar findings from 30 to 100 cm (average 71.0 ±â€Š18.5) consistently to DBE. There is no statistical significance between 2 methods (Ζ = 1.715, Ρ = .086).DBE examination proves to be a safe method for diagnosing children's MD disease and can reliably determine the bleeding lesions in children's MD, providing valuable guidance for surgical treatment of children's MD bleeding.

Platelet-rich plasma enhances the repair capacity of muscle-derived mesenchymal stem cells to large humeral bone defect in rabbits.

Mesenchymal stem cell-based therapy is a highly attractive strategy that promotes bone tissue regeneration. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the combination effect of muscle-derived mesenchymal stem cells (M-MSCs) and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) on bone repair capacity in rabbits with large humeral bone defect. Precise cylindrical bone defects of 10 mm diameter and 5 mm depth were established in rabbit humeral bones, which were unable to be repaired under natural conditions. The rabbits received treatment with M-MSCs/PRP gel, M-MSCs gel, or PRP gel, or no treatment. The bone tissue regeneration was evaluated at day 0-90 after surgery by HE morphological staining, Lane-Sandhu histopathological scoring, tetracycline detection, Gomori staining and micro-computed tomography. Beyond that, Transwell assay, CCK8 assay, Western blot analysis and ALP activity detection were performed in M-MSCs in vitro with or without PRP application to detect the molecular effects of PRP on M-MSCs. We found that the repair effect of M-MSCs group or PRP group was limited and the bone defects were not completely closed at post-operation 90 d. In contrast, M-MSCs/PRP group received obvious filling in the bone defects with a Lane-Sandhu evaluation score of 9. Tetracycline-labeled new bone area in M-MSCs/PRP group and new mineralized bone area were significantly larger than that in other groups. Micro-computed tomography result of M-MSCs/PRP group displayed complete recovery of humeral bone at post-operation 90 d. Further in vitro experiment revealed that PRP significantly induced migration, enhanced the growth, and promoted the expression of Cbfa-1 and Coll I in M-MSCs. In conclusion, PRP application significantly enhanced the regeneration capacity of M-MSCs in large bone defect via promoting the migration and proliferation of M-MSCs, and also inducing the osteogenic differentiation.

Effect of Surgical Intervention on Neurologic Recovery in Patients with Central Cord Syndrome.

To review the experience of managing central cord syndrome (CCS) surgically, we retrospectively reviewed 71 patients from October 2015 to April 2017. Deteriorating neurologic status with evidence of radiologic compression and spinal instability were absolute indications for surgery. The American Spinal and Injury Association (ASIA) motor scores (AMS) were recorded at the time of admission (aAMS), 3 days postoperatively (3dAMS), 1 month postoperatively(1mAMS), and at final follow-up (fAMS). Analysis of variance was performed to compare 3dAMS, 1mAMS, and fAMS. Surgery was successful in all 71 patients without re-injury of the spinal cord, infection, or other perioperative complications. The postoperative AMS at 3 days, 1 month, and at the final follow-up significantly improved over preoperative scores. ASIA sensory scores at fAMS were significantly better than 3dAMS and1mAMS scores. The ASIA motor and sensory scores at 1mAMS showed no significant improvements compared with the 3dAMS. Therefore, for patients diagnosed with CCS, combined with evidence of radiologic compression and spinal instability, surgery was beneficial in terms of gains in neurologic recovery.

Geniposide protects against ox-LDL-induced foam cell formation through inhibition of MAPKs and NF-kB signaling pathways.

Atherosclerosis (AS) is characterized by the significant accumulation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol in macrophages that reside in the vessel wall and the resultant inflammatory response. Therefore, inhibition of LDL-induced inflammation is a promising interference for AS. Many traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions have been developed for AS treatment. Geniposide (GEN) is an iridoid glycoside mainly found in Gardenia jasminoides fruit. Although GEN has previously been shown to possess anti-atherosclerotic activities, its effects on the formation of macrophage-derived foam cells remain poorly characterized. In our current study, we demonstrated that GEN could significantly inhibit oxidized light-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) induced macrophage foam cell formation and the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, treatment of GEN in bone-marrow derived macrophages repressed iNOS expression and NO expression. GEN could also alleviate ox-LDL-dependent up-regulation of CD36 expression by blocking the phosphorylation of p38 MAPK, ERK, JNK and NF-kB p65. The results of our current study demonstrate that GEN exhibits significant therapeutic effects against ox-LDA-induced foam cell formation and inflammation. Therefore, GEN is promising agent for treating AS.

Silencing of the MEKK2/MEKK3 Pathway Protects against Spinal Cord Injury via the Hedgehog Pathway and the JNK Pathway.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a devastating medical condition, often accompanied by motor and sensory dysfunction. The Hedgehog (Hh) pathway has a protective role in pathological injury after SCI. However, the specific mechanism remains unclear. The present study aimed to confirm the effects of the mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase-2 (MEKK2)/MEKK3/JNK/Hh pathway on SCI. SCI rat models were established and then inoculated with plasmids overexpressing MEKK2/MEKK3 or with small interfering RNA (siRNA) against MEKK2/MEKK3. The expression of MEKK2 and -3 was detected in dorsal root ganglia (DRG) cells. The motor function of hindlimbs, the expression of the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK)- and Hh-pathway-related genes, and the level of neurofilament-200 (NF-200) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) were measured. MEKK2 and -3 were expressed at a high level in DRG cells. The silencing of MEKK2/MEKK3 in rats caused an increase in the expression of glioma-associated oncogene homolog-1 (Gli-1), Nestin, smoothened (Smo), and Sonic Hedgehog (Shh). The Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan (BBB) rating and the level of NF-200 protein also increased. However, the expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), macrophage inflammatory protein-1ß (MIP-1ß), MIP-3α, p-JNK/JNK, and p-c-Jun/c-Jun and the level of GFAP were reduced. Downregulation of MEKK2/MEKK3 ameliorated the symptoms of SCI by promoting neural progenitor cell differentiation via activating the Hh pathway and disrupting the JNK pathway. The findings in this study reveal a potential biomarker for SCI treatment.

Salidroside protects against ox-LDL-induced endothelial injury by enhancing autophagy mediated by SIRT1-FoxO1 pathway.

BACKGROUND: Atherosclerosis is a condition with the vascular accumulation of lipid plaques, and its main major contributing factor is endothelial injury induced by oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL). Salidroside (SAL) is the primary active ingredient of Rhodiola rosea, and exhibits antioxidant properties on endothelial cells and alleviates atherosclerosis. However, the effect of SAL on autophagy in ox-LDL-induced vascular endothelial injury remains unclear. Here, we investigated the effect and underlying mechanisms of SAL on autophagy in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). METHODS: HUVECs were incubated with ox-LDL to induce in vitro atherosclerosis model. The cell viability and injury were evaluated by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release assay. The oxidative stress was evaluated by NADPH oxidase, malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities. Immunofluorescence was performed to detect autophagy using LC3ß antibody. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and western blot were performed to measure the mRNA expressions of SIRT1 and Forkhead box O1 (FOXO1). Nicotinamide (NAM) and AS1842856 were used to inhibit activities of SIRT1 and FOXO1, respectively. RESULTS: Exposure of HUVECs to ox-LDL (100 µg/mL) reduced cell viability, increased cellular MDA, and reduced SOD in a concentration-dependent manner. The pretreatment with SAL (20, 50 and 100 µM) significantly enhanced the cell viability and decreased LDH release in HUVECs exposed to ox-LDL (100 µg/mL). ox-LDL induced autophagy in HUVECs, which was further enhanced by pretreatment with SAL. However, SAL attenuated increase in oxidative stress in HUVECs induced by ox-LDL. ox-LDL reduced mRNA and protein expressions of SIRT1 and FOXO1, which could be reversed by SAL. The protective, anti-oxidative and pro-autophagic effects of SAL could be obviously abolished by cotreatment with SIRT1 inhibitor or FOXO1 inhibitor. CONCLUSION: Salidroside shows protective effect on endothelial cell induced by ox-LDL, and the mechanisms might be related to autophagy induction via increasing SIRT1 and FoxO1 expressions.

Astragaloside IV Protects Against Oxidized Low-Density Lipoprotein (ox-LDL)-Induced Endothelial Cell Injury by Reducing Oxidative Stress and Inflammation.

BACKGROUND Endothelial injury is the main mechanism of atherosclerosis, and is caused by oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL). Astragaloside IV (AS-IV) is the primary active ingredient of the Chinese herb Huangqi, and exhibits antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties in cardiovascular diseases. This study investigated the protective effect of AS-IV in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). MATERIAL AND METHODS HUVEC cells were induced with ox-LDL to establish an in vitro atherosclerosis model. Then HUVECs were pretreated for 1 h with AS-IV at different concentrations (10, 20, and 50 µM) and then exposed to ox-LDL (100 µg/mL) for 48 h. The cell viability, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, apoptosis, migration, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), and NADPH oxidase activity of HUVECs were measured. qRT-PCR was performed to measure the mRNA expressions of Nrf2, HO-1, TNFalpha, and IL-6. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was performed to measure the supernatant contents of TNFalpha and IL-6. RESULTS Exposure of HUVECs to ox-LDL reduced cell viability and migration, induced apoptosis, and increased intracellular ROS production and NADPH oxidase. Pretreatment with AS-IV (10, 20, and 50 µM) significantly enhanced the cell viability and migration, suppressed LDH release, apoptosis, ROS production, and NADPH oxidase in HUVECs, in a concentration-dependent manner. The AS-IV (50 µM) alone did not show significant differences from control. AS-IV increased mRNA expressions of Nrf2 and HO-1 and decreased mRNA expressions of TNFalpha and IL-6 in the ox-LDL-HUEVC cells. Furthermore, AS-IV reduced supernatant contents of TNFalpha and IL-6. CONCLUSIONS Astragaloside IV prevents ox-LDL-induced endothelial cell injury by reducing apoptosis, oxidative stress, and inflammatory response.

Nuclear forkhead box O3a accumulation contributing to the proliferative suppression in liver cancer cells by PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

BACKGROUND: Serine/threonine kinase is originally identified as an oncogene and the forkhead box transcription factor forkhead box O3a (Foxo3a) has been found to be decreased in various human cancers. In the present study, we explored the expression of Akt and FOXO3a in liver cancer cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Akt level was detected by Western blotting analysis. Cell viability of HepG2, MHCC-97H, Bel7402, and L02 was determined by MTT assay. FoxO3a level was determined by Western blotting analysis. RESULTS: Akt level was significantly higher in liver cancer cell lines HepG2 and MHCC97-H, compared with the immortalized liver cell line L02. MTT assay results demonstrated that LY294002 significantly suppressed cell proliferation of HepG2 and MHCC-97H cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The underlying molecular mechanism was that miR-370 inhibited cell proliferation of liver cancer cells by activating FoxO3a. CONCLUSION: PI3K inhibitor decreased the levels of phosphorylated FOXO3a and increased the levels of nuclear FOXO3a. It also inhibited cell proliferation of liver cancer cells partly by PI3K/Akt/FOXO3a signaling pathways.

Lentivirus-mediated silencing of the PTC1 and PTC2 genes promotes recovery from spinal cord injury by activating the Hedgehog signaling pathway in a rat model.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of Patched-1 (PTC1) and PTC2 silencing in a rat model, on Hedgehog (Hh) pathway-mediated recovery from spinal cord injury (SCI). An analytical emphasis on the relationship between the sonic hedgehog (Shh) pathway and nerve regeneration was explored. A total of 126 rats were divided into normal, sham, SCI, negative control (NC), PTC1-RNAi, PTC2-RNAi and PTC1/PTC2-RNAi groups. The Basso, Beattie and Bresnahan (BBB) scale was employed to assess hind limb motor function. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blotting were performed to examine the mRNA and protein levels of PTC1, PTC2, Shh, glioma-associated oncogene homolog 1 (Gli-1), Smo and Nestin. Tissue morphology was analyzed using immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescent staining was conducted to detect neurofilament protein 200 (NF-200) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). The PTC1/PTC2-RNAi group displayed higher BBB scores than the SCI and NC groups. Shh, Gli-1, Smo and Nestin expression levels were elevated in the PTC1/PTC2-RNAi group. PTC1 and PTC2 mRNA and protein expression was lower in the PTC1/PTC2-RNAi group than in the normal, sham and SCI groups. Among the seven groups, the PTC1/PTC2-RNAi group had the largest positive area of NF-200 staining, whereas the SCI group exhibited a larger GFAP-positive area than both the normal and the sham groups. The Shh pathway may provide new insights into therapeutic indications and regenerative recovery tools for the treatment of SCI. Activation of the Hh signaling pathway by silencing PTC1 and PTC2 may reduce inflammation and may ultimately promote SCI recovery.

Cx43- and Smad-Mediated TGF-ß/ BMP Signaling Pathway Promotes Cartilage Differentiation of Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Inhibits Osteoblast Differentiation.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of Cx43- and Smad-mediated TGF-ß/BMP signaling pathway on the differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) into cartilage and inhibition of ossification. METHODS: BMSCs of Wistar rats were cultured and assigned into 5 groups for transfection with adenoviruses. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blotting were employed to detect mRNA and protein expressions of target genes. The condition of cartilage and ossification were measured by a series of staining methods. Subcutaneous injection of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) into nude rats was performed. RESULTS: After transfection, compared to the AdGFP group, the corresponding target mRNAs were overexpressed in the AdBMP2, AdSmad1, AdCx43 + AdSmad1 and AdCx43 + AdSmad1 + AdBMP2 groups, and overexpression of BMP2 at the mRNA and protein expression was observed in the AdSmad1 and AdCx43 + AdSmad1 groups. The mRNA expressions of aggrecan (ACAN) and collagen type II alpha 1 (Col2a1), the glycosaminoglycan content of the extracellular matrix and the expression of type II collagen, Col2a1, osteopontin (OPN) and osteocalcin (OC) were higher in the AdBMP2, AdSmad1, AdCx43 + AdSmad1 and AdCx43 + AdSmad1 + AdBMP2 groups than in the AdGFP group; alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and mRNA and protein expressions of Runx2 were also higher in these groups than in the AdGFP group. Heterotopic osteogenesis tests demonstrated evident cartilage differentiation ability in the AdCx43 + AdSmad1 + AdBMP2 groups. In comparison, the AdCx43 + AdSmad1 and AdSmad1 groups exhibited weaker cartilage differentiation abilities. CONCLUSION: Cx43 and Smad1 promote BMP-induced cartilage differentiation of BMSCs and inhibit osteoblast differentiation, which provide a new strategy for cartilage tissue engineering using exogenous Cx43 and Smad1.

[Analysis of clinical characteristics of hypoxic hepatitis in children].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the etiology and clinical characteristics of hypoxic hepatitis (HH) in children. METHOD: Clinical data of 7 patients with HH in Shenzhen Children's Hospital from January 2011 to March 2014 were retrospectively reviewed. RESULT: Seven cases diagnosed as HH, age from 4 months to 11 years, were admitted to pediatric intensive care unit (PICU), and accounted for 0.32% of patients in PICU during the same period. The primary causes of HH were respiratory failure and cardiac shock caused by severe hand-foot-and-mouth disease, fulminant myocarditis, infant muggy syndrome . Serologic tests for hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, as well as serum antibody and DNA for Epstein-Barr virus and cytomegalovirus were all negative. There was an increase of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (≥20 time supper limit of normal (ULN), the highest ALT was more than 130 times ULN in all the patients, which was decreased to 2 times ULN from peak within 10 days. There was a significant relationship between ALT and aspartate aminotransferase(AST)in 3 cases(r=1.000, 1.000, and 0.833, respectively, P<0.05), ALT and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)in 2 cases(r=1.000 and 0.886, respectively, P<0.05), ALT and blood urea nitrogen(BUN)in 1 case(r=1.000, P<0.05), and ALT and creatine kinase(CK)in 1 case(r=0.964, P<0.05). The ALT, AST and LDH returned to normal soon after the primary diseases were controlled. CONCLUSION: Severe heart failure, hypoxemia, shock, etc. are the leading primary diseases causing HH. The sharp increase in ALT, AST and LDH is the typical laboratory manifestion in HH after the onset, which may decline to normal shortly after the treatment, sometimes complicated with reversible change in BUN or CK.

A long non-coding RNA contributes to doxorubicin resistance of osteosarcoma.

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are emerging in molecular biology as crucial regulators of cancer. Although the aberrant expression of lncRNAs has been observed in osteosarcoma (OS), the molecular mechanisms underlying lncRNAs in doxorubicin resistance of OS still unknown. In the current study, we investigated a novel lncRNA, termed ODRUL (osteosarcoma doxorubicin-resistance related up-regulated lncRNA), and evaluated its role in the occurrence of doxorubicin resistance in OS. LncRNA microarray revealed that lncRNA ODRUL was the most up-regulated expressed in the doxorubicin-resistant OS cell line. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) confirmed that lncRNA ODRUL was higher in different doxorubicin-resistant OS cell lines and lower in different doxorubicin-sensitive OS cell lines. Moreover, we showed that lncRNA ODRUL was increased in specimens of OS patients with a poor chemoresponse and lung metastasis. We further demonstrated that lncRNA ODRUL inhibition could inhibit OS cell proliferation, migration, and partly reversed doxorubicin resistance in vitro. In addition, we found that the expression of classical drug resistance-related ATP-binding cassette, subfamily B, member 1 (ABCB1) gene was decreased after the lncRNA ODRUL knockdown. Thus, we concluded that lncRNA ODRUL may act as a pro-doxorubicin-resistant molecule through inducing the expression of the classical multidrug resistance-related ABCB1 gene in osteosarcoma cells .These findings may provide a novel target for reversing doxorubicin resistance in OS.

Long noncoding RNA expression profiles of the doxorubicin-resistant human osteosarcoma cell line MG63/DXR and its parental cell line MG63 as ascertained by microarray analysis.

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are emerging in molecular biology as crucial regulators of cancer. The efficacy of doxorubicin--based chemotherapy in osteosarcoma (OS) is usually limited by acquired drug resistance. To explore the mechanism of chemoresistance of OS in terms of lncRNA, using a human lncRNA-mRNA combined microarray, we identified 3,465 lncRNAs (1,761 up and 1,704 down) and 3,278 mRNAs (1,607 up and 1,671 down) aberrantly expressed in all three sets of doxorubicin-resistant MG63/DXR and their paired parental MG63 cells (fold-change >2.0, P<0.05 and FDR <0.05). Fifteen randomly selected lncRNAs were dysregulated in MG63/DXR cells relative to MG63 cells by qRT-PCR detection, which were consistent with our microarray data. Bioinformatics analysis identified that classical genes and pathways involved in cell proliferation, apoptosis, and drug metabolism were differently expressed in these cell lines. A lncRNA-mRNA co-expression network identified lncRNAs, including ENST00000563280 and NR-036444, may play a critical role in doxorubicin-resistance of OS by interacting with important genes such as ABCB1, HIF1A and FOXC2. Besides, we found that lncRNA ENST00000563280 was distinctly increased in specimens of OS patients with a poor chemoresponse compared to those with a good chemoresponse and the patients of lower expression of it may survive longer than those of higher expression, which suggest that it may serve as a biomarker to predict the chemoresponse and prognosis of osteosarcoma patients. These results provide important insights about the lncRNAs involved in osteosarcoma chemoresistance and lay a solid foundation for uncovering the mechanism ultimately.

Partial wrist arthrodesis versus arthroplasty for distal radius giant cell tumours.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy of using the proximal fibular graft for partial wrist arthrodesis or arthroplasty after the resection of giant cell tumours of the distal radius. METHODS: Between February 2006 and August 2010, 14 patients (seven males, seven females; average age, 35.7 years) with grade II and III giant cell tumours of the distal radius were treated by tumour resection and autologous proximal fibular grafts to reconstruct the wrist in our hospital. Seven patients each were treated by wrist arthroplasty and partial wrist arthrodesis, and were followed up for 2.2-6.8 years (average, 3.9 years). RESULTS: All patients achieved primary healing. No tumour recurrence was observed during follow-up in any of the patients. No statistically significant difference in forearm rotation was observed between patients undergoing the two different treatments. However, wrist flexion-extension activities were significantly better and the wrist grip strengths were significantly worse in the arthroplasty group than in the arthrodesis group. The Musculoskeletal Tumour Society score did not significantly differ between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, joint arthroplasty remains a favourable treatment with regard to the functional outcome for giant cell tumours of the distal radius; however, some of these patients may have a weaker grip strength. In comparison, partial wrist fusion appears to provide a durable and stable wrist with good long-term functional outcome.

Hemodynamic changes of fractional flow reserve after double kissing crush and provisional stenting technique for true bifurcation lesions.

BACKGROUND: Fractional flow reserve (FFR)-guided percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is associated with fewer unfavorable events. However, the hemodynamic change in FFR after different stenting approaches for bifurcation lesions is still not fully studied. The aim of this study was to analyze the hemodynamic changes in FFR after double kissing (DK) crush and provisional side branch (SB) stenting (PS) for true coronary bifurcation lesions. METHODS: Seventy-five patients with true bifurcated lesions were randomly divided into DK (n = 38) and PS (n = 37) groups. Additional SB stenting in the PS group was required if there was any pinched SB ostium > 70% stenosis, or ≥ type B dissection, or TIMI flow < grade 3. FFR at hyperemia in the main vessel (MV) and SB was measured prior- and post-stenting, and at 8 months follow-up. RESULTS: Baseline clinical, angiographic and lesion characteristics were matched well between the two groups, with the exception of the final kissing balloon inflation (FKBI, 100.0% in the DK vs. 83.8% in the PS group, P < 0.001). Baseline FFR was comparable between the DK and the PS groups, however, the acute gain and late loss of SB FFR at 8-month follow-up in the DK group were 0.18 ± 0.15 and -0.06 ± 0.11, compared to 0.12 ± 0.18 (P = 0.044) and -0.002 ± 0.07 (P = 0.037) in the PS group, respectively. MV FFR post-stenting > 0.94 was seen in about 40% of patients. There was no significant difference in the clinical events at 1-year follow-up between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: DK crush was associated with improved acute gain and late loss of SB FFR. The lower rate of FFR > 0.94 after stenting underscored the further improvement of stenting quality.

[Reconstruction of the knee stability after resection of tumors of the proximal fibula].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the method and the clinical outcomes of reconstruction of the knee stability after resection of tumors of the proximal fibula. METHODS: The clinical data were retrospectively analyzed, from 16 patients with tumors of the proximal fibula undergoing proximal fibular resections and reconstructions of the lateral collateral ligament and the tendon of the biceps femoris with anchors between January 2008 and December 2009 (test group). Five patients underwent proximal fibular resection but were not given reconstruction surgery at the same period as the control group. There was no significant difference in gender, ages, disease duration, and tumor site between 2 groups (P > 0.05). Lateral stress test was performed after operation; X-ray films were taken to measure the joint space. Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) functional score system was used to evaluate the joint function. RESULTS: All incisions healed by first intention in 2 groups. Iatrogenic complete peroneal nerve function loss occurred in patients undergoing Malawer type II surgical resection. The patients in both groups were followed up 12 to 36 months, with an average of 30 months. One patient with osteosarcoma of the test group developed local recurrence, and died of lung and systemic metastases after 12 months; the other patients had no recurrence. At last follow-up, the results of knee lateral stress test were negative in the test group, and the joint space increased and was classified as grade A; the results of knee lateral stress test were positive in the control group, and the joint space was classified as grade D. The MSTS score was 97.5 +/- 3.5 in the test group and 87.5 +/- 3.5 in the control group, showing significant difference (t = 2.85, P = 0.01). CONCLUSION: The reconstruction of the bony attachment of the lateral collateral ligament and the tendon of the biceps femoris with anchors after resection of the proximal fibula is a safe, reliable, and simple technique to reconstruct knee stability after resection of tumors of the proximal fibula.