[Association of lifestyle and apolipoprotein E gene with risk for cognitive frailty in elderly population in China].

Objective: To investigate the impact of lifestyle, apolipoprotein E (ApoE) gene, and their interaction on the risk for cognitive frailty in the elderly population in China. Methods: The study participants were from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey. The information about their lifestyles were collected by questionnaire survey, and a weighted lifestyle score was constructed based on ß coefficients associated with specific lifestyles to assess the combined lifestyle. ApoE genotypes were assessed by rs429358 and rs7412 single nucleotide polymorphisms. Cognitive frailty was assessed based on cognitive function and physical frailty. Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to analyze the association of lifestyle and ApoE gene with the risk for cognitive frailty and evaluate the multiplicative and additive interactions between lifestyle and ApoE gene. Results: A total of 5 676 elderly persons, with median age [M (Q1, Q3)] of 76 (68, 85) years, were included, in whom 615 had cognitive frailty. The analysis by Cox proportional hazards regression model indicated that moderate and high levels of dietary diversity could reduce the risk for cognitive frailty by 18% [hazard ratio (HR)=0.82, 95%CI: 0.68-1.00] and 28% (HR=0.72, 95%CI: 0.57-0.91), respectively; moderate and high levels of physical activity could reduce the risk by 31% (HR=0.69, 95%CI: 0.56-0.85) and 23% (HR=0.77, 95%CI: 0.64-0.93), respectively. Healthy lifestyle was associated with a 40% reduced risk for cognitive frailty (HR=0.60, 95%CI: 0.46-0.78). ApoE ε4 allele was associated with a 26% increased risk for cognitive frailty (HR=1.26, 95%CI: 1.02-1.56). No multiplicative or additive interactions were found between lifestyle and ApoE gene. Conclusions: Dietary diversity and regular physical activity have protective effects against cognitive frailty in elderly population. Healthy lifestyle can reduce the risk for cognitive frailty in elderly population regardless of ApoE ε4 allele carriage status.

[Research progress in the promotion of peri-implant soft tissue integration of dental titanium implant based on immune microenvironment regulation].

A good integration of dental implants and the surrounding soft tissue is essential to ensure the long-term effect of implant. In this review, we summarized the research progress of peri-implant soft tissue integration of dental titanium implants, with emphasis on the modification of the gingival interface of implants based on immune microenvironment regulation. This method influences the immune response around the implant by promoting the surface properties of implants, so as to enhance the peri-implant soft tissue integration. The purpose of this review is to provide reference for the related research and clinical application in the field of dental implantation.

Design and optical performance research of a fully customizable collimating lens based on total internal reflection.

An optical design method of a fully customizable collimating lens is proposed. The initial model of the complete lens is constructed by two parts. One part is calculated by the total internal reflection algorithm; the other part is constructed by trial-and-error method. The lens is further optimized by normal vector correction and high- and low-angle compensation. The optical performance of the fully customizable collimating lens is studied. It is proven to have good collimation performance with a divergence angle of 1.8° at 50% of the maximum luminous intensity; the uniformity is as high as 98.4%.

MiR-146a regulates osteogenic differentiation and proliferation of bone marrow stromal cells in traumatic femoral head necrosis.

The article "MiR-146a regulates osteogenic differentiation and proliferation of bone marrow stromal cells in traumatic femoral head necrosis, by Y. Kong, Z.-T. Chen, published in Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2019; 23 (2): 441-448-DOI: 10.26355/eurrev_201901_16853-PMID: 30720149" has been withdrawn from the authors stating that "some data cannot be repeated by our further research". The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. https://www.europeanreview.org/article/16853.

[Preclinical study of the effects of fluorinated porcine hydroxyapatite in repairing peri-implant bone defects in canine mandible].

Objective: To evaluate the effects of fluorinated porcine hydroxyapatite (FPHA) on guided bone regeneration of peri-implant buccal bone defects in canine mandible. Methods: Six male beagle dogs were randomly divided into two groups with different time points (4 weeks and 12 weeks after implants placement), with 3 dogs in each group. Bilateral mandibular second premolars, first molars, and second molars in each dog were extracted. The wounds were allowed to heal for 12 weeks. For each dog, four implant beds were prepared in each side and standardized peri-implant buccal bone defect was created at each implant site. After implants placement, the defect sites were randomly allocated in a split-mouth design to blank control group, deproteinized bovine bone mineral (DBBM), the porcine hydroxyapatite (PHA), FPHA and covered with collagen membranes. The animals were sacrificed 4 or 12 weeks after the surgery. Biopsies of the implant sites were obtained for micro-CT evaluation [bone volume fraction (BV/TV) and bone trabecular separation degree (Tb.Sp)] and histological analysis. Results: Micro-CT results showed that 4 weeks after implants placement, PHA, FPHA and DBBM successfully maintained the contour of alveolar ridge at the buccal aspect of the implants, while the contour of alveolar ridge collapsed in the blank control group. BV/TV in the FPHA group [(24.77±2.20) %] was significantly higher than that in the PHA group [(16.89±1.70)%] and DBBM group [(15.68±3.15)%] (P<0.05). Tb.Sp in the FPHA group (0.70±0.07) was significantly lower than that in the DBBM group (1.03±0.19) (P<0.05). Twelve weeks after implants placement, the alveolar ridge contour of the grafted sites in PHA, FPHA and DBBM group remained stable. The alveolar ridge of the blank control group was still collapsed. There was no significant difference in BV/TV and Tb.Sp between PHA group, FPHA group and DBBM group. The histomorphological analysis showed that 4 weeks after implants placement, in the central area of the defect, the amount and maturity of new bone (NB) around the material particles in FPHA group was higher than that in PHA group and DBBM group. Osseointegration could be observed between the NB and implant surface in all the four groups. Twelve weeks after implants placement, the material particles were surrounded by a large number of mature NB in PHA, FPHA and DBBM group. Conclusions: The incorporation of fluoride ion into PHA could effectively promote the repair of peri-implant bone defects in the early stage of guided bone regeneration.

[Feasibility, safety and long-term efficacy of laparoscopic total gastrectomy combined with distal pancreaticosplenectomy for T4b gastric cancer].

Objective: To explore the feasibility, safety and long-term efficacy of laparoscopic total gastrectomy combined with distal pancreaticosplenectomy for the treatment of T4b gastric cancer. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed. Clinical data of consecutive patients with T4b gastric cancer invading pancreatic tail undergoing laparoscopic or open total gastrectomy combined with distal pancreaticosplenectomy from January 2010 to December 2014 were analyzed retrospectively. Enrollment criteria: (1) primary gastric cancer confirmed by pathology as T4b adenocarcinoma; (2) chest+abdominal+pelvic enhanced CT indicated cancer invading pancreatic tail without distant metastasis, and R0 resection was evaluated as feasible before operation; (3) physical status was ECOG score 0 to 2, and was tolerant to operation. Patients with peritoneal implant metastasis and tumor invasion of other organs during operation, or changes in surgical methods for other reasons were excluded. All the operations were performed by the same surgical team, which had the experiences of more than 100 cases of laparoscopic and 100 cases of open radical gastrectomy with D2 lymph node dissection. The choice of surgical procedure was discussed by the surgeon and the patient, and decided according to the patient's intension. Patients were divided into the laparoscopic group and open group according to the surgical method. Intraoperative and perioperative findings were compared between the two groups. The 3-year disease-free survival rate were analyzed with Kaplan-Meier survival curve and compared by using log-rank test. Results: A total of 37 consecutive patients were enrolled, including 21 in the laparoscopic group and 16 in the open group, and no one receiving laparoscopic procedure was converted to open surgery. The baseline data of two groups were comparable (all P>0.05). Compared with the open group, the laparoscopic group had significantly longer operation time [(264.0±35.1) minutes vs. (226.6±49.9) minutes, t=2.685, P=0.011], significantly less intraoperative blood loss [(65.7±37.4) ml vs. (182.2±94.6) ml, t=-4.658, P<0.001], significantly shorter time to postoperative flatus [(2.8±0.7) days vs. (4.1±0.7) days, t=-5.776, P<0.001] and significantly shorter postoperative hospital stay [(13.3±2.8) days vs. (16.6±4.3) days, t=-2.822, P=0.008]. Morbidity of postoperative complications, including anastomotic leakage, pancreatic fistula, abdominal abscess, intraperitoneal hemorrhage and duodenal stump leakage, in two groups was similar [19.0% (4/21) vs. 4/16, P=0.705]. There were no cases of anastomotic bleeding or stenosis. The 30-day postoperative mortality was 0 in the laparoscopic group and 1/16 in the open group, respectively (P=0.432). The 3-year disease-free survival rates were 38.1% and 37.5% in the laparoscopic and open group, respectively (P=0.751). Conclusion: Laparoscopic total gastrectomy combined with distal pancreaticosplenectomy performed by experienced surgeons for T4b gastric cancer is safe and effective.

[Expression profiles of microRNA related to atherosclerosis in patients with OSA].

Objective:Recent studies have demonstrated that obstructive sleep apnoea(OSA) may lead to atherosclerosis(AS), but the underlying mechanism remains unclear. MicroRNA(miRNA) may be involved in the gene regulation of AS and also in the occurrence and progression of OSA. The purpose of our study was to investigate the expression of atherosclerosis related serum miRNAs in OSA patients.Method: We screened 116 participants including normal controls(n=24), OSA alone(n=32),OSA patients with AS(n=32),and patients with AS but without OSA(n=28).qRT-PCR to analyze the microRNA profile was performed in these subjects.Clinical and blood test with lipid parameters were analysed using Spearman correlations.Result:Compared to normal controls, miRNA-148a-5p, miRNA-378c, miRNA-127-3p and miRNA-365a-3p were upregulated in the OSA, OSA-AS, and AS groups; miRNA-134-5p was only upregulated in the AS group, miRNA-365a-3p in the OSA-AS group was higher than that in the OSA alone group. The circulating atherosclerosis related miRNAs, including miRNA-148a-5p, miRNA-378c, miRNA-127-3p, miRNA-134-5p and miRNA-365a-3p all correlated with the carotid intima media thickness. Conclusion: Upregulation of miRNA-148a-5p, miRNA-365a-3p, miRNA-378c, miRNA-127-3p may be an early warning marker of atherosclerosis in OSA patients.

MiR-146a regulates osteogenic differentiation and proliferation of bone marrow stromal cells in traumatic femoral head necrosis.

OBJECTIVE:   To investigate the regulatory mechanism of micro ribonucleic acid (miR)-146a in osteogenic differentiation and proliferation of bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) in traumatic femoral head necrosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Femoral neck fracture patients undergoing surgery were divided into necrosis group and non-necrosis group. The expression level of miR-146a in BMSCs isolated from these patients was detected via quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR). The clinical correlation of miR-146a with BMSCs in traumatic femoral head necrosis was explored. The regulatory effects of miR-146a on osteogenic differentiation and proliferation of BMSCs in traumatic femoral head necrosis were detected. Moreover, the cell proliferation was analyzed via cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. The deposition of calcium on the cell surface was detected via alizarin red staining to evaluate the osteogenic differentiation. The messenger RNA (mRNA) expressions of osteogenesis-specific genes, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and osteocalcin (Ocn) in BMSCs undergoing osteogenic differentiation were detected via qRT-PCR. RESULTS: Expression level of miR-146a in BMSCs of necrosis group was significantly lower than that in non-necrosis group, and the difference was statistically significant (p<0.01). CCK-8 assay revealed that the proliferation of BMSCs was significantly enhanced in miR-146a-mimic group compared with that in miR-NC group, while it significantly declined in miR-146a-inhibitor group compared with that in miR-NC group. The results of alizarin red staining showed that the deposition of calcium obviously increased in miR-146a-mimic group compared with that in miR-NC group, indicating that the osteogenic differentiation ability is significantly enhanced, while it markedly decreased in miR-146a-inhibitor group compared with that in miR-NC group. The detection of osteogenesis-specific genes via qRT-PCR manifested that the mRNA expressions of ALP and Ocn remarkably increased in miR-146a-mimic group compared with those in miR-NC group, and there were statistically significant differences (p<0.05). The mRNA expressions of ALP and Ocn remarkably decreased in miR-146a-inhibitor group compared with those in miR-NC group, and there were statistically significant differences (p<0.05), suggesting the inhibited osteogenic differentiation ability. CONCLUSIONS: We showed that miR-146a regulates the osteogenic differentiation and proliferation of BMSCs in traumatic femoral head necrosis.

High-efficient catalytic reduction of 4-nitrophenol based on reusable Ag nanoparticles/graphene-loading loofah sponge hybrid.

Noble metal nanoparticles (NPs) such as Au and Ag have shown many applications in the field of catalysis, sensing etc. due to their excellent photoelectric properties. But agglomeration and a low recovery rate are big problems for their applications. In this research, a novel Ag NPs/graphene (reduced graphene oxide)-loading loofah sponge (Ag NPs/RGO-LS) was synthesized through a one-step reduction method. Where the RGO is used as a nano-support with the high specific surface area and the high conductivity to prevent the agglomeration of Ag NPs and provide a conductive layer. The natural, green, low-cost and high-yield LS is designed as a macro-support to reduce the loss of Ag NPs during recycling. The as-prepared Ag NPs/RGO-LS is stable, uniform, and exhibits high efficiency and reusability in the catalytic reduction of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) with a high rate constant of 1.893 min-1 as well as an average conversion of 98% in 6 min during five cycles. The results have not only paved the way for the wide application of Ag NPs but also provide a new road for the application of other metal NPs.

Facile preparation of surfactant-free Au NPs/RGO/Ni foam for degradation of 4-nitrophenol and detection of hydrogen peroxide.

The application of Au nanoparticles (Au NPs) often requires surface modification with chemical surfactants, which dramatically reduce the surface activity and increase the chemical contamination and cost of Au NPs. In this research, we have developed a novel Au NPs/reduced graphene oxide/Ni foam hybrid (Au NPs/RGO/NiF) by in situ reduction through ascorbic acid and replacement reaction. This method is green, facile and efficient. The Au NPs are free of chemical surfactants and are homogeneously distributed on the surface of the RGO/NiF. The as-prepared Au NPs/RGO/NiF hybrid is uniform, stable and exhibits not only a high reduction efficiency for the reduction of 4-nitrophenol with a catalytic kinetic constant of up to 0.46 min-1 (0.15 cm3 catalysis) but also a sensitive and selective detection of H2O2 with a detection limit of ∼1.60 µM.

Visible light communication using dual camera on one smartphone.

Dual camera is becoming increasingly prevalent among smartphone camera schemes these days. This paper demonstrates a system prototype by using the color and monochrome cameras on one smartphone simultaneously for visible light communication. To achieve this, we propose a novel dual-modulation scheme. The baseband signal is firstly modulated by color ratio modulation-color shift keying (CRM-CSK) to broadcast color ratio information that can be distinguished by the color camera. Next to it, gray level modulation (GLM) is utilized to generate CRM symbols with gray levels that can be distinguished by the monochrome camera. Our experiment shows a significant improvement in the downlink data rate of the optical camera communication (OCC) using a single light source.

[An analysis of influencing factors for brucellosis in major occupational groups in Bayannur, China].

Objective: To investigate the current status of brucella infection in major occupational groups in Bayannur, China, and to analyze the risk factors for brucellosis. Methods: From January to March, 2015, a questionnaire survey and the serological testing were performed to investigate the current status of brucella infection in 649 workers in 13 slaughter and breeding plants in 7 counties in Bayannur, China. The items in the questionnaire survey included general information, related occupational information, living habits, medical history, and awareness of related knowledge. Results: A total of 112 workers (17.26%) had brucella infection. Brucella infection was associated with sex, age, years of exposure to hazardous substances, job, educational background, usage of protective equipment, the presence or absence of a wound at the exposure site, and whether to smoke during the work clearance (P<0.05) . The multivariate analysis showed that the risk factors for brucellosis were meat processing work (OR=1.812) , >5 years of exposure to hazardous substances (OR=1.363) , improper use or nonuse of protective equipment (OR=1.957) , smoke during work (OR=2.027) , and the presence of a woundat the exposure site (OR= 1.231) ; the protective factors for brucellosis were high school and college education and above (OR=0.521) and high rate of awareness of brucella-related knowledge (OR=0.648) . Conclusion: The brucella infection rate is high in the major occupational groups in Bayannur, China. The main influencing factors for brucellosis are job, years of exposure to hazardous substances, usage of protective equipment, whether to smoke during work, and the presence or absence of a wound at the exposure site.

Aspirin enhances IFN-α-induced growth inhibition and apoptosis of hepatocellular carcinoma via JAK1/STAT1 pathway.

STAT1 has a key role in exerting the antiproliferative and proapoptotic effects of interferon (IFN)-α on tumors, and its defects in expression is associated with IFN-α resistance. In this study we want to investigate whether aspirin can improve the antitumor efficiency of IFN-α on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) through the activation of STAT1. We found that aspirin not only significantly enhanced IFN-α-induced antiproliferation and apoptosis of HCC in vitro study but also enhanced tumor growth inhibition in nude mice. Although IFN-α alone resulted in significant phosphorylation of both STAT1 and STAT3, aspirin only prompted the IFN-α-induced phosphorylation of STAT1. Further study revealed that aspirin-prompted phosphorylation of STAT1 was activated through phosphorylation of JAK1. Furthermore, aspirin-activated STAT1 upregulated the transcription of proapoptotic IFN-stimulated gene (ISG) of X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis-associated factor-1 and downregulated the transcription of antiapoptotic ISG of G1P3, which in turn promoted the expression of Bax and activation of caspase-9 and caspase-3, thereby sensitizing HCC cells to IFN-α-induced apoptosis. Taken together, our findings suggest a novel strategy of using aspirin to overcome tumor resistance and enhance the effectiveness of IFN-α in HCC treatment through activating STAT1 gene, and have potential implications for improving future IFN-α protein and gene therapy.

Chimeric adenoviral vector Ad5/F35-mediated APE1 siRNA enhances sensitivity of human colorectal cancer cells to radiotherapy in vitro and in vivo.

Apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease (APE1), a bifunctional AP endonuclease/redox factor, is important in DNA repair and redox signaling, may be associated with radioresistance. Here we investigate whether targeted inhibition of APE1 can sensitize tumor cells to irradiation in vitro and in vivo. We first constructed chimeric adenoviral vector Ad5/F35 carrying human APE1 siRNA (Ad5/F35-APE1 siRNA). The infectivity of chimeric Ad5/F35 to LOVO colon cancer cells was greater than that of Ad5. APE1 was strongly expressed and nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB), a downstream molecule of APE1, known as a radioresistance factor, was constitutively active in LOVO cells. Infection of LOVO cells with Ad5/F35-APE1 siRNA resulted in a dose-dependent decrease of APE1 protein and AP endonuclease activity in vitro. Ad5/F35-APE1 siRNA significantly enhanced sensitivity of LOVO cells to irradiation in clonogenic survival assays, associated with increased cell apoptosis. The APE1 expression in LOVO cells was induced by irradiation in a dose-dependent manner, accompanied with the enhancement of DNA-binding activity of NF-kappaB and Ad5/F35-APE1 siRNA effectively inhibited constitutive and irradiation-induced APE1 expression and NF-kappaB activation. In a subcutaneous nude mouse colon cancer model, Ad5/F35-APE1 siRNA (5 x 10(8) IU, intratumoral injection) inhibited the expression of APE1 protein in LOVO xenografts, and significantly enhanced inhibition of tumor growth by irradiation. In conclusion, APE1 may be involved as one of the radioresistance factors, and targeted inhibition of APE1 shows an effective means of enhancing tumor sensitivity to radiotherapy.

[Study on effect of qingkailing injection and its active principle in inducing cell apoptosis in human acute promyelocytic leukemia].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the mechanism of Qingkailing (QKL) Injection in treating acute promyelocytic leukemia. METHODS: Using MTT technique, cell morphologic method, DNA gel electrophoresis and flow-cytometry to study the human acute promyelocytic leukemia (HL-60) cell apoptosis induced by QKL and its active principle. RESULTS: QKL and its active principle, Baicalin and hyodeoxycholic acid, showed strong cytotoxicity in inhibiting HL-60 cell, the Bezoar cholic acid showed a weaker effect. Apoptosis could be induced after being treated for 6 hrs by the former three principles, showing a typical apoptosis peak under flow-cytometry, but could not be induced by the latter one. CONCLUSION: QKL could induce leukemia cell apoptosis in vitro, which may be one of the mechanisms of QKLI in curing acute promyelocytic leukemia.

Sesquiterpene esters of aristolochic acid from the root and stem of Aristolochia heterophylla.

Three novel sesquiterpene esters of aristolochic acid, aristoloterpenate-II (2), -III (3), and-IV (4), together with known aristoloterpenate-I (1), were isolated and characterized from the root and stem of Aristolochia heterophylla. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods. The absolute configuration of these compounds at C-4' was determined as R by circular dichroic studies. These compounds showed cytotoxicity against hepatoma G2, 2, 2, 15 cells.

[The role of oxygen radicals in adult respiratory distress syndrome].

A traumatic adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) model was made with 3 intravenous bolus of homologous bone marrow extract in rabbits. Variables were then measured including the metabolites of oxygen radicals in plasma and expired gases, serum lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) isoenzymes and plasma fibronectin (Fn). A two peak increase was found in expired ethane and plasma conjugated dienes following decrease of periphery white blood and polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) differential count; continuous increase of serum LDH3 and severe descent of plasma Fn were also found after the trauma. The above results suggest that PMN releasing oxygen radicals play an important role in RDS pathogenesis; and expired ethane, circulating conjugated dienes, LDH3 and Fn may be useful for making diagnosis and prognosis assessment of ARDS.

Induction of heat-shock response and alterations of protein phosphorylation by a novel topoisomerase II inhibitor, withangulatin A, in 9L rat brain tumor cells.

Withangulatin A is a newly identified in vitro topoisomerase II inhibitor isolated from the Chinese antitumor herb Physalis angulata. In vivo, it was found to be cytotoxic, capable of suppressing general protein synthesis and of inducing the synthesis of a small set of proteins including those generated by heat-shock treatment. The 70 kDa protein generated by withangulatin A was unequivocally identified as the heat-shock protein 70 (HSP70) since both proteins migrated to the same position on two-dimensional polyacrylamide gels, could be recognized by a monoclonal antibody to human HSP70, and exhibited identical peptide maps. The induction of protein synthesis by withangulatin A was regulated at the transcriptional level since it was aborted in cells pre-treated with actinomycin D. However, the initiation of this process did not require de novo protein synthesis since it was not affected by cycloheximide. Other cellular effect of withangulatin A was alterations of protein phosphorylation including an enhancement of phosphorylation of a 65 kDa protein which was also detected in the heat-shocked cells. Moreover, this process was observed within 7.5 min after the initial heat treatment which is much faster than the onset of HSP synthesis. Therefore, increased phosphorylation of the 65 kDa protein may represent one of the earliest signals generated by both heat-shock and withangluatin A and may be involved in the upstream regulation of heat-shock response in cells.

[Effect of herbal tonic on the membrane fluidity of the mice suffered from lymphatic leukemia].

UNLABELLED: By using fluorescence polarization technology, the authors have studied variations in the membrane fluidity of red blood cell and spleen lymphocytes of the mice with lymphatic leukemia (L7212) untreated or treated by the compound tonic of traditional Chinese medicine decoction of reinforcing Qi and nourishing Yin and decoction of reinforcing Qi and nourishing blood. It was not only confirmed that the membrane fluidity of malignant lymphocytes increased more greatly, but also discovered that the variations could appear in early period of leukemia. The membrane fluidity of lymphocytes of the mice with leukemia treated by the herbal tonic could drop to normal level. But the membrane fluidity of the red blood cell between the normal mice (615) and the leukemia mice (L7212), untreated or treated by the herbal tonic, had no significant difference. RESULT: the above mentioned suggests the herbal tonic could resist leukemia by reducing the membrane fluidity of the lymphocytes and improving structure and function of the membrane.