TREM2 as an independent predictor of poor prognosis promotes the migration via the PI3K/AKT axis in prostate cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Prostate adenocarcinoma (PRAD) is one of the most common cancers, with high morbidity and mortality. Triggering receptors expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2) is upregulated in various malignancies, however its effect on PRAD remains unknown. This study aimed to investigate the prognostic value of TREM2 in PRAD. METHODS: PRAD samples were collected from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), Oncomine, and the Human Protein Atlas (HPA) to analyze the differences in TREM2 expression between normal and tumor tissues. The influence of TREM2 on the clinicopathological characteristics and its prognostic value were evaluated using the Kaplan-Meier curve, Cox regression analysis, ROC (receiver operating characteristic) plot, and nomogram. Gene Ontology (GO), gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA), and protein-protein interaction (PPI) were conducted to screen biological functions and pathways. The relationship between TREM2 and tumor microenvironment (TME) characteristics was explored. The TREM2 expression in PRAD specimens and cell lines was assessed by immunohistochemistry staining and western blot. TREM2-specific siRNAs were used to evaluate the effects of TREM2 on cell function. RESULTS: TREM2 was upregulated and positively associated with poor clinicopathologic characteristics. Overexpression of TREM2 is an independent biomarker for the prognosis of PFI (progression-free interval). Moreover, TREM2 expression was positively correlated with various TME characteristics. Knockdown of TREM2 inhibited the migration of PRAD cell lines via the PI3K/AKT axis. CONCLUSION: High TREM2 expression may represent a novel diagnostic and prognostic biomarker and serve as a potential target gene for PRAD therapy.

Economic evaluation of three dialysis methods in patients with end-stage renal disease in China.

OBJECTIVES: End-stage renal disease (ESRD) may result in different degrees of physical and psychological pain. Automated peritoneal dialysis (APD), continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD), and hemodialysis (HD) as the main treatment methods lead to a heavy burden on social economic and family financial. However, there are few studies on the economic evaluation of the three dialysis methods in China. METHODS: Cost-effectiveness analyses were performed using Markov models based on longitudinal data for 15 years of different modalities in Kunshan City, China. Direct cost derived from medical insurance information system, and indirect cost referred to as loss of productivity. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to study uncertainty. RESULTS: The per capita total cost of CAPD was 664,027.00 yuan, the per capita utility is 5.9105. The per capita total cost of APD was 858,800.65 yuan, the per capita utility is 6.4548. The per capita total cost of HD was 1,281,213.64 yuan, the per capita utility is 6.1356. When CAPD was compared with HD, Incremental Cost-Effectiveness Ratio (ICER) was 1,323,389.53 yuan per QALY, compared with APD, ICER was 357,848.13 yuan per QALY. ICER value suggests that APD was cost-effective compared with CAPD and HD at a willingness-to-pay threshold of 538,200 yuan. CONCLUSION: Our research showed that APD is the most appropriate and HD is the worst in terms of cost-effectiveness. However, in fact, HD accounts for a high proportion in China, so some relevant policy suggestions need to be implemented to change the current situation.

Five cases of corneal suture-associated infectious endophthalmitis / 中华眼底病杂志

Objective:To observe the clinical features and prognosis of eyes with corneal suture-related infective endophthalmitis.Methods:A retrospective interventional case series. From January 2020 to December 2021, 5 patients (5 eyes) with corneal suture-related infectious endophthalmitis diagnosed by ophthalmic examination at Department of Ophthalmology of the Eye-ENT Hospital of Fudan University were included in the study. Among them, there were 3 males and 2 females; all had unilateral disease; the mean age was 30.80±21.98 years. Sutures of 4 cases were secondary to lens related surgery and of 1 case was secondary to penetrating keratoplasty. Average retention time of corneal suture was 20.00±7.41 months. Of the 5 eyes, corneal sutures were removed in 1 eye due to redness and eye pain in another hospital; 3 eyes were loosened of the sutures in the remaining 4 eyes. The patients were given standard treatment for infectious endophthalmitis, including systemic and local anti-infective therapy; corneal suture removal, intraocular injection, and vitrectomy (PPV). In PPV, it was decided whether to give silicone oil filling according to the situation. The follow-up time after treatment was 11.00±7.38 months. The best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), B-mode ultrasound and microbial culture results of the affected eye before and after surgery were observed and analyzed.Results:Infiltrates, ulcers, or abscesses surrounding the suture may be seen on the cornea of the affected eye. B-mode ultrasonography showed vitreous opacity, preretinal cords, and spherical wall edema in the entire segment of the affected eye. The results of vitreous humor culture were positive in 3 eyes, which were Streptococcus viridis, Staphylococcus hominis subspecies, Staphylococcus epidermidis. After treatment, all the intraocular infections in the affected eyes were successfully controlled, and there were no cases of enucleation of ocular contents or enucleation. Before treatment, the BCVA of the affected eye was from no light perception to counting fingers; after treatment, 2 eyes had BCVA> 0.3.Conclusions:Infiltration, ulcers or abscesses around the sutures can be seen in the cornea of corneal suture-related infective endophthalmitis patients, which are related to the long-term retention of the sutures in the eye. Most of the affected eyes have loose sutures when they go to the doctor; timely treatment can effectively control the infection, and some eyes have good visual prognosis.

Predicting mortality in acute ischaemic stroke treated with mechanical thrombectomy: analysis of a multicentre prospective registry.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to determine predictors of mortality within 90 days and develop a simple score for patients with mechanical thrombectomy (MT). DESIGN: Analysis of a multicentre prospective registry. SETTING: In six participating centres, patients who had an acute ischaemic stroke (AIS) treated by MT between March 2017 and May 2018 were documented prospectively. PARTICIPANTS: 224 patients with AIS were treated by MT. RESULTS: Of 224 patients, 49 (21.9%) patients died, and 87 (38.8%) were independent. Variables associated with 90-day mortality were age, previous stroke, admission National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), fasting blood glucose and occlusion site. Logistic regression identified four variables independently associated with 90-day mortality: age ≥80 years (OR 3.26, 95% CI 1.45 to 7.33), previous stroke (OR 2.33, 95% CI 1.04 to 5.21), admission NIHSS ≥18 (OR 2.37, 95% CI 1.13 to 4.99) and internal carotid artery or basilar artery occlusion (OR 2.92, 95% CI 1.34 to 6.40). Using these data, we developed predicting 90-day mortality of AIS with MT (PRACTICE) score ranging from 0 to 6 points. The receiver operator curve analysis found that PRACTICE score (area under the curve (AUC)=0.744, 95% CI 0.669 to 0.820) was numerically better than iScore (AUC=0.661, 95% CI 0.577 to 0.745) and Predicting Early Mortality of Ischemic Stroke score (AUC=0.638, 95% CI 0.551 to 0.725) for predicting 90-day mortality. CONCLUSIONS: We developed a simple score to estimate the 90-day mortality of patients who had an AIS treated with MT. But the score needs to be prospectively validated. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR-OOC-17013052).

Rosmarinic acid attenuates acrylamide induced apoptosis of BRL-3A cells by inhibiting oxidative stress and endoplasmic reticulum stress.

Acrylamide (AA) is a common endogenous contaminant in food, with a complex toxicity mechanism. The study on liver damage to experimental animals caused by AA has aroused a great attention. Rosmarinic acid (RosA) as a natural antioxidant shows excellent protective effects against AA-induced hepatotoxicity, but the potential mechanism is still unclear. In the current study, the protective effect of RosA on BRL-3A cell damage induced by AA was explored. RosA increased the activity of SOD and GSH, reduced the content of ROS and MDA, and significantly reduced the oxidative stress (OS) damage of BRL-3A cells induced by AA. RosA pretreatment inhibited the MAPK signaling pathway activated by AA, and down-regulated the phosphorylation of JNK, ERK and p38. RosA pretreatment also reduced the production of calcium ions caused by AA. In addition, the key proteins p-IRE1α, XBP-1s, TRAF2 of the IRE1 pathway, and the expression of endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) characteristic proteins GRP78, p-ASK1, Caspase-12 and CHOP were also down-regulated by RosA. NAC blocked the activation of the MAPK signaling pathway and inhibited the ERS pathway. RosA reduced the rate of apoptosis and down-regulated the expression of Bax/Bcl-2 and Caspase-3, thereby inhibiting AA-induced apoptosis. In conclusion, RosA reduced the OS and ERS induced by AA in BRL-3A cells, thereby inhibiting cell apoptosis, and it could be used as a potential protective agent against AA toxicity.

Negative life events and self-harm among the elderly: Result from a survey of 7070 people aged≥60 in China.

PURPOSES: Negative life events have been reported as a risk factor for elderly self-harm. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between negative life events and self-harm in a large sample of people aged 60 and older, and explore the role of some previously identified influential factors in this relationship. METHODS: Multi-stage stratified sampling method was used to select the elderly people over 60 years old in Shandong, China. Information were collected through face-to-face interviews. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression were used for initial analysis. Karlson-Holm-Breen (KHB) method was used for mediating effect analysis. RESULTS: A total of 7070 participants were included in the study, 160 reported they had a history of self-harm (2.3%), 756 reported they had negative life event experience (10.7%). After model adjustment, the association between negative life events, loneliness, economic status and self-harm was still statistically significant. Mediation analysis showed that the association is explained by loneliness (proportion of mediation 48.86%), self-rated economic status (16.13%). CONCLUSIONS: Negative life events, loneliness and economic status were associated with self-harm among the older adults. Loneliness and economic status may play an intermediary role in the relationship between negative life events and self-harm, especially loneliness. More psychological and social functions intervention strategies and prevention measures on the self-harm of the elderly should be provided for the elderly who have experienced negative life events.

Insight into the mechanism of urea inhibit ovalbumin-glucose glycation by conventional spectrometry and liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry.

The inhibition effect of urea on ovalbumin (OVA) glycation was investigated, and the mechanism was evaluated through the changes in protein structure as well as glycation sites and average degree of substitution per peptide molecule (DSP) by conventional spectrometry and liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS). A urea concentration of 3 M was chosen as the optimum condition. Ultraviolet and fluorescence spectra suggested that both glycation and urea treatment could unfold the OVA, but urea inhibited the glycation-induced protein unfolding. Circular dichroism spectra showed that urea treatment could increase the ß-sheet content and reduce the α-helix content of OVA. LC-HRMS indicated that the number of glycation sites was reduced from 15 to 3, and DSP values decreased with urea treatment. In conclusion, urea could significantly inhibit the OVA-glucose glycation, and the sites competition as well as structure unfolding inhibition resulted from urea could be the main factors.

Association between Overweight, Obesity and the Prevalence of Multimorbidity among the Elderly: Evidence from a Cross-Sectional Analysis in Shandong, China.

(1) Background: Multimorbidity, defined as the occurrence of two or more chronic diseases, is a global public health problem which has a significant negative impact on individuals, families and the society. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between overweight, obesity and the prevalence of multimorbidity among male and female older adults; (2) Methods: Cross-sectional data of the 7070 participants from China, aged 60 years and above included in 2017 the Shandong Elderly Family Health Service Survey were analyzed. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to examine the relationship between overweight, obesity and the prevalence of multimorbidity in males and females; (3) Results: Among the 7070 participants, of which 40.25% were males and 59.75% were females, the average age of all participants was (69.81 ± 6.45) years old. The prevalence of multimorbidity in older adults was 34.71%, and the overweight and obesity rates were 39.25% and 16.89%. Among the male elderly, the likelihood of multimorbidity was more than two times higher among the obese than the normal BMI population (OR: 2.14; 95%CI: 1.63-2.82). A less strong association was found in the overweight male older population (OR: 1.43; 95%CI: 1.18-1.74). In the females, compared with individuals with normal BMI, the risks for incident multimorbidity were high in the overweight and obese groups, with odds ratios of 1.42 (95%CI: 1.21-1.65) and 1.81 (95%CI: 1.51-2.17), respectively. (4) Conclusions: In this study, overweight and obesity had the strongest association with the prevalence of multimorbidity among Chinese older adults, and the associations were different between the male and female elderly. The prevalence of multimorbidity might be effectively prevented by controlling body mass index. Encouraging the elderly to eat the recommended amount of vegetables and fruits, walk at least 30 min a day and have enough sleep to maintain a healthy weight.

Prevalence and Associated Factors of Self-Treatment among the Elderly-A Comparative Study between Empty and Non-Empty Nesters in Shandong, China.

(1) Objectives: With an aging society in China, self-treatment now plays an important role in health care among older adults, but it can be problematic. This study aims to explore and compare the self-treatment behavior among empty and non-empty nesters. (2) Methods: Using a multi-stage stratified random cluster sampling method, a total of 4366 elderly people aged 60 and above from Shandong Province, China, were enrolled in this study. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire. Binary logistic regression was used to analyze the associated factors of self-treatment. (3) Results: The prevalence of self-treatment in empty nesters was significantly lower than that in non-empty ones (74.0% vs. 83.3%). Binary logistic regression analysis showed that higher educational level and poorer self-rated economic status were negatively associated with self-treatment in empty nesters, while unemployed and urban and rural residents' basic medical insurance were positively associated with self-treatment in non-empty ones. (4) Conclusions: The study indicated that empty nesters had lower likelihood of self-treatment than non-empty ones. Empty nesters with better socioeconomic status were more likely to use self-treatment; by contrast, non-empty nesters with relatively poorer socioeconomic status were more inclined to self-treatment. Targeted interventions should be developed to maximize the effectiveness of self-treatment and reduce health risks.

Adsorption behaviors of branched cationic gemini surfactants and wettability in quartz-solution-air systems.

The adsorption and wetting on quartz surfaces by aqueous solutions of xylyl-substituted biquaternary ammonium salt gemini surfactants with different spacer groups (C3 and C6), have been investigated. The interfacial properties of surfactant solutions such as contact angle, adhesional tension (γLV cos θ), quartz-water interfacial tension (γSL) as well as adhesion work (WA) have been estimated. The obtained results show that C3 and C6 have similar adsorption behavior on quartz surfaces. Before critical micelle concentration (cmc) is reached, the contact angles of gemini surfactants slowly increase with the increasing concentration, and the adsorption amount at the water-air interface is almost the same as those at a quartz-water interface. After reaching cmc, the gemini surfactant Cn molecules form a more compact adsorption film through bending the flexible spacer chain, instead of forming a bi-layer. As a result, a further increase in quartz-liquid interfacial tension (γSL) and a consequent increase in contact angle have been observed after cmc. Gemini C6 shows a stronger ability towards hydrophobic modification at a quartz surface than C3, demonstrating the contribution of the longer methylene spacer to the hydrophobic modification of the quartz surface.

The Relationship between Self-Rated Economic Status and Falls among the Elderly in Shandong Province, China.

(1) Background: Older people are more vulnerable and likely to have falls and the consequences of these falls place a heavy burden on individuals, families and society. Many factors directly or indirectly affect the prevalence of falls. The aims of this study were to understand the prevalence and risk factors of falls among the elderly in Shandong, China; the relationship between economic level and falls was also preliminary explored. (2) Methods: Using a multi-stage stratified sampling method, 7070 elderly people aged 60 and over were selected in Shandong Province, China. General characteristics and a self-rated economic status were collected through face to face interviews. Chi-square tests, rank sum tests and two logistic regression models were performed as the main statistical methods. (3) Results: 8.59% of participants reported that they had experienced at least one fall in the past half year. There was a significant difference in experienced falls regarding gender, residence, marital status, educational level, smoking, drinking, hypertension, diabetes, coronary disease, and self-reported hearing. The worse the self-rated economic status, the higher the risk of falling, (poor and worried about livelihood, OR = 3.60, 95%; CI = 1.76-7.35). (4) Conclusions: Women, hypertension, diabetes and self-reported hearing loss were identified as the risk factors of falls in the elderly. The difference of economic level affects the falls of the elderly in rural and urban areas. More fall prevention measures should be provided for the elderly in poverty.

Exploring the Potential of High-Voltage Electric Field Cold Plasma (HVCP) Using a Dielectric Barrier Discharge (DBD) as a Plasma Source on the Quality Parameters of Carrot Juice.

The main aim of the current investigation was to contemplate the impact of high-voltage electric field cold plasma (HVCP) on different quality characteristics (enzymes, microbial activities, coloring pigments, ascorbic acid, polyphenolic compounds, °Brix, acidity, and color index) of carrot juice in correlation with thermal processing. A carrot juice (250 mL) sample sealed in pre-sterilized food-grade bottles, which placed between two dielectric quartz plates for HVCP treatment. The gap between the plates was 30 mm, and a stable and uniform plasma dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) generated for 3 and 4 min at 60, 70, and 80 kV. Air was used as a working gas during the DBD-based plasma treatment. The observed rise in temperature was 2-5 °C during the HVCP treatment. A water bath was used to carry out thermal treatment (100 °C for 5 min). The maximum inactivation of enzymes and microorganisms was achieved with thermal treatment and then with HVCP treatment at 70 kV for 4 min. However, maximum retention of coloring compounds, ascorbic acid, total phenols, flavonoids, and tannins was found following HVCP (70 kV for 4 min) treatment compared to thermal treatment. The °Brix, pH, and acidity remained unchanged irrespective of treatments. These findings suggest that HVCP treatment at 70 kV for 4 min may be a good alternative to thermal treatment, and it may successfully be applied in carrot juice production, resulting in reduced enzymes, lower microbial activity, and improved bioactive compounds. The prospects of overcoming the existing conventional physical and chemical methods for sterilization make it a novel and more economical technique to maintain food's natural nourishment, composition, appearance, structure, and freshness.

Wetting of polymer surfaces by aqueous solutions of branched cationic Gemini surfactants.

The adsorption of xylyl-substituted biquaternary ammonium salt Gemini surfactants with different spacer (C3 and C6) at polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) surfaces has been investigated and the different adsorption parameters such as surface tension, contact angle, adhesional tension, solid-water interfacial tension and work of adhesion have been estimated. The results show that C3 and C6 have similar adsorption behaviors at PTFE and PMMA surfaces. C3 and C6 adsorb gradually at a PFTE-water interface via hydrophobic interactions and the adsorption amounts at the water-air interface are almost three times higher than those at the PTFE-water interface due to the steric hindrance effect. However, the contact angle keeps constant throughout the experimental concentration range because the decrease in surface tension just counterbalances the decrease in PFTE-water interfacial tension. On the other hand, C3 and C6 adsorb at the PMMA surface via polar interactions between xylyl and functional groups of PMMA before CMC. Similar to PTFE, the increase in PMMA-water interfacial tension compensates the decrease in surface tension and the contact angle also shows a stationary value before the CMC. A bi-layer structure of C3 and C6 will be formed at the PMMA-water interface via hydrophobic interaction and PMMA-water interfacial tension decreases consequently after the CMC, which results in the decrease in contact angle.

Comparison of therapeutic effects between dual-and triple-anticoagulant therapy after PCI in AF pa-tients with CHD / 心血管康复医学杂志

Objective :To explore influence of dual-and triple-anticoagulant therapy on hemorrhage events ,laboratory in-dexes and cardiovascular events after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) complicated coronary heart disease (CHD).Methods : Clinical data of 100 AF + CHD patients were analyzed .All subjects received PCI and anticoagulant therapy after PCI .Dual-therapy group (n＝ 50) received dual-anticoagulant program and triple-therapy group (n＝50) received triple-anticoagulant program.Levels of blood C reactive protein (CRP) ,fibrinogen (Fg) ,D-dimer (D-D) and platelet count (PLT) before and after treatment ,incidence of hemorrhage events and adverse cardiovascular events during treatment were compared between two groups .Results : Compared with dual-therapy group af-ter 12-month treatment ,there were significant reductions in blood levels of CRP [(16-81 ± 4-49) mg／L vs.(7-86 ± 1-64) mg／L] ,PLT [ (298-47 ± 54-33)×109／L vs.(148-89 ± 23-11)×109／L] ,Fg [ (5-59 ± 1-41) g／L vs.(2-14 ± 0-56) g／L] and D-D [(0-37 ± 0-08) mg／L vs.(0-21 ± 0-06) mg／L] in triple-therapy group ,P＝0-001 all.Incidence rate of ad-verse cardiovascular events in triple-therapy group was significantly lower than that of dual-therapy group (6-00% vs. 22-00%, P＝0-021) ,there was no significant in incidence rate of hemorrhage events between two groups , P＝0-182-Conclusion : Triple-anticoagulant therapy can significantly improve therapeutic effect with high safety in AF + CHD pa-tients after PCI ,which is worth extending .

Therapeutic effect of Mongolian medicine Guanxinshutong capsule on restenosis after stenting in AMI patients / 心血管康复医学杂志

Objective :To analyze therapeutic effect of Mongolian medicine Guanxinshutong (MM) capsule on restenosis af—ter stenting in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI).Methods : The 108 AMI patients ,who received stenting in our hospital from May 2014 to May 2016 ,were selected.The patients were equally divided into routine treatment group and MM group (received MM capsule based on routine treatment group ) ,therapeutic processes of both groups was one year .Serum levels of endothelin (ET)—1 ,nitric oxide (NO) and C reactive protein (CRP) before and one year after treat—ment ;recurrence rate of angina pectoris ,coronary restenosis rate and incidence rate of adverse cardiac events during one—year follow—up were observed and compared between two groups .Results : Recurrence rates of angina pectoris on six months and one year after treatment were significantly lower than that of three months after treatment (9.25%,5.56%vs.33.33%) in MM group (P＝0.002 ,0.001) ,and significantly lower than those of routine treatment group (25.93%, 22.22%) , P＝0.023 ,0.012. On one year after stenting ,coronary restenosis rate of MM group was significantly lower than that of routine treatment group (9.26% vs.33.33%) , P＝0.002. Compared with before treatment ,on one year af—ter treatment ,there were significant reductions in serum ET—1 and CRP levels ,and significant rise in NO level in two groups , P＜0.01 all ;compared with routine treatment group on one year after treatment ,there were significant reductions in serum levels of ET—1 [(125.09 ± 33.41) ng／L vs.(107.16 ± 34.26) ng／L] and CRP [(18.59 ± 4.63) mg／L vs.(7.23 ± 3.74) mg／L] ,and significant rise in NO level [ (6.81 ± 1.47) μmol／L vs.(11.45 ± 1.35) μmol／L] in MM group , P＜0.01 all.During one—year follow—up ,incidence rate of adverse cardiac events in MM group was significantly lower than that of routine treatment group (9.26% vs.25.93%) , P＝0.023. Conclusion : Mongolian medicine Guanxinshutong cap—sule can significantly prevent restenosis ,reduce recurrence of angina pectoris ,serum ET—1 and CRP levels and incidence of adverse cardiac events ,and improve prognosis in AMI patients after stenting .

Protective effect of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells on light-damaged retinal pigment epithelial cells / 中华实验眼科杂志

Objective@#To investigate the protective effect of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (UCMSCs) on light-damaged retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells in vitro.@*Methods@#Human UCMSCs were cultured, and then identified by flow cytometry.Human RPE cells were isolated and cultured, and then the model of light-damaged RPE cells was prepared.The noncontact co-culture system of light-damaged RPE cells and UCMSCs was established by Transwell chamber.RPE cells were divided into normal control group, model control group and UCMSCs co-culture group.RPE cells in the normal control group were not treated.RPE cells in the model control group were treated with blue light to induce RPE cell damage.Co-culture system of light-damaged RPE cells and UCMSCs was established in the UCMSCs co-culture group.The proliferative ability of RPE cells was measured by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay at 24 hours and 48 hours after co-culture.ELISA kits were used to quantitatively measure the levels of pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in the culture supernatant at 48 hours after co-culture.And the photoreceptor outer segments (POS) phagocytosis assay of RPE cells was also conducted.@*Results@#UCMSCs displayed spindle-shaped morphology, positively expressed CD29, CD44, CD90 and CD105, while negatively expressed CD34 and CD45.RPE cells were polygonal in morphology and positive for the specific marker RPE65 protein.The proliferative ability(A value) of RPE cells in the three groups at different timepoints were significantly different (Fgroup=132.388, P=0.000; Ftime=231.440, P=0.000), the A values of RPE cells in model control group and UCMSCs co-culture group were significantly lower than that in the normal control group, the A value of RPE cells in UCMSCs co-culture group was significantly higher than that in the model control group, and the differences were statistically significant both at 24 hours and 48 hours after co-culture (all at P<0.01). POS phagocytosis test showed that there was a significant difference in the average number of POS particles phagocytized by RPE cells among the three groups(F=28.087, P=0.000). The average number of POS particles phagocytized by RPE cells in model control group was significantly lower than that in normal control group, and the average number of POS particles phagocytized by RPE cells in UCMSCs co-culture group was significantly more than that in model control group (all at P<0.01). ELISA showed that the concentrations of PEDF in RPE cell supernatant of normal control group, model control group and UCMSCs co-culture group were (18.8±1.9), (10.0±1.7) and (20.2±6.0)ng/ml, respectively.The concentrations of bFGF in RPE cell supernatant were (25.2±1.5), (26.3±3.6) and (61.9±14.3)pg/ml, respectively.There were significant differences in PEDF and bFGF concentrations among the three groups (F=8.654, P=0.008; F=23.698, P=0.000). The concentration of PEDF in the model control group was significantly lower than that in the normal control group, and the concentration of PEDF in the UCMSCs co-culture group was significantly higher than that in the model control group (all at P<0.01). The concentration of bFGF in UCMSCs co-culture group was significantly higher than that in the normal control group and model control group (all at P<0.01).@*Conclusions@#Cocultivation with UCMSCs can improve the proliferation ability and phagocytosis function of light-damaged RPE cells, and promote the secretion of PEDF by RPE cells.UCMSCs may protect RPE cells from light damage through paracrine secretion of bFGF.

Coil selection and application during temporomandibular joint MRI imaging / 医疗卫生装备

Objective To evaluate the clinical application of 15-channel phased-array head coil and 6-channel dS Flex M surface coil in MRI imaging of temporomandibular joint.Methods Totally 50 patients were randomly equally assigned into two groups, of whom, one group used a 15-channel phase-array head coil for MRI scanning, and the other applied a 6-channel dS Flex M surface coil. The same regions of interest were set up to measure and analyze the signal to noise ratio (SNR)and contrast to noise ratio (CNR)of each region respectively.SPSS 19.0 software was used for quantitative analysis. Results The head coil had the SNR and the CNR higher than those of the surface coil.The head coil and Flex surface coil had the imaging diagnosis rates being 95.83% and 91.67% respectively,and there was no significant difference between them(P>0.05). Conclusion Both phase-array head coil and dS Flex M surface coil can be used for temporomandibular joint MRI imaging, and it's suggested that conventional imaging be executed with dS Flex M surface coil and functional imaging be implemented with head coil.

Fragmentation characteristics of hydroxycinnamic acids in ESI-MSn by density functional theory.

This work aims to analyze the electrospray ionization multistage mass spectrometry (ESI-MSn ) fragmentation characteristics of hydroxycinnamic acids (HCAs) in negative ion mode. The geometric parameters, energies, natural bond orbitals and frontier orbitals of fragments were calculated by density functional theory (DFT) to investigate mass spectral fragmentation mechanisms. The results showed that proton transfer always occurred during fragmentation of HCAs; their quasi-molecular ions ([M - H]- ) existed in more than one form and were mainly with the lowest energy. The fragmentation characteristics included the followings: (1) according to the different substitution position of phenolic hydroxyl group, the ring contraction reaction by CO elimination from benzene was in an increasingly difficult order: m-phenolic hydroxyl > p-phenolic hydroxyl > o-phenolic hydroxyl; and (2) ortho effect always occurred in o-dihydroxycinnamic acids (o-diHCAs), i.e. one phenolic hydroxyl group offered H+ , which combined with the other one to lose H2 O. In addition, there was a nucleophilic reaction during ring contraction in diHCAs that oxygen atom attacked the carbon atom binding with the other phenolic hydroxyl to lose CO2 . The fragmentation characteristics and mechanism of HCAs could be used for analysis and identification of such compounds quickly and effectively, and as reference for structural analogues by ESI-MS. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Stability and interbody fusion of augmented pedicle screws with bone cement for lumbar spondylolisthesis accompanied with osteoporosis / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND: In lumbar spondylolisthesis patients with severe osteoporosis, screw is easily loose and pul s out during reposition, or loss of reduction and internal fixation failure easily occur after repair. Therefore, it is very important to elevate the intensity of pedicle screw fixation during repair. At present, few studies concern application of bone cement screw enhancement technology in lumbar spondylolisthesis patients with osteoporosis. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical value of augmented pedicle screw with polymethylmethacrylate for lumbar spondylolisthesis accompanied with osteoporosis. METHODS: From June 2009 to June 2011, 27 patients suffering from lumbar spondylolisthesis accompanied with osteoporosis were included in this retrospective study. These patients received augmented pedicle screw with polymethylmethacrylate. The levels of disability and pain were evaluated by Oswestry Disability Index and visual analog scale. The internal fixation and fusion were evaluated by radiological findings. Al complications were recorded. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Al cases were fol owed up for 15-37 months. Oswestry Disability Index and visual analog scale scores were significantly better in final fol ow-up than that pre-treatment (P < 0.05). Imaging results revealed that bone cement tightly connected to bone interface. The position of screw and bone cement was good. Symptomatic bone cement leakage was not found. No fixation failure was detected during final fol ow-up. Al patients achieved interbody fusion. These results suggested that polymethylmethacrylate bone cement could increase the gripping force of the pedicle screw in osteoporotic vertebral body. It is safe and effective to treat spondylolisthesis accompanied with osteoporosis with augmented pedicle screws. Satisfactory fixation stability and interbody fusion can be obtained.

Change rules and correlation between bone mass, bone turnover markers and estrogen levels in different periods of ovariectomized rats / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND:There are so many studies about ovariectomized rats at present, but the research on the change rules of bone mass, bone turnover markers, estrogen levels and their correlation in different periods of ovariectomized rats is rarely reported. OBJECTIVE:To analyze the change rules of bone mass, bone turnover markers, estrogen level and their correlation in different periods of ovariectomized rats. METHODS: Thirty-four 3-month-old female Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups: baseline group, ovariectomized group and sham operated group. At the beginning of the experiment, the rats in the baseline group were sacrificed, then rats in the ovariectomized group and sham operated group were executed at 4, 8, 12 weeks postoperative respectively. The bone mineral density, bone mass content, area of different zones of the L1-3 lumbar vertebrae and femurs were detected by dual-energy X-ray absorption method, and meanwhile the serum levels of type I procolagen amino-terminal pro-peptide, I colagen carboxy-terminal peptide and estrogen were determined by ELISA. At last, we analyzed the correlation between body mass, bone mineral densityin vitro, type I procolagen amino-terminal pro-peptide, I colagen carboxy-terminal peptide and estrogen levels and the age of ovariectomized rats. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) The bone mineral density and bone mass content of the lumbar vertebral and femurs in the ovariectomized group were significantly lower than those in the sham operated group and baseline group at the 4th week after operation (P < 0.05). The bone mineral density and bone mass content in the ovariectomized group were ameliorated obviously at the 8th and 12th weeks compared with those at the 4th week after operation (P < 0.05). The bone mass loss was highest in the L1 and intertrochanteric regions. (2) Serum levels of type I procolagen amino-terminal pro-peptide and I colagen carboxy-terminal peptide in the ovariectomized group were significantly higher than those in the baseline group and sham operated group at the 4th week after operation, but there was no difference at the 8th and 12th weeks. (3) The serum estrogen level in the ovariectomized group was prominently lower than that in the sham operated group and baseline group at the 8th and 12th weeks after operation (P < 0.01 at the 8th week,P < 0.05 at the 12th week). (4) The age was positively correlated with body mass and bone mineral density of the lumbar vertebrae and femursin vitro, while the serum levels of type I procolagen amino-terminal pro-peptide and I colagen carboxy-terminal peptide were negatively correlated with the bone mineral density of the lumbar vertebrae and femurs in vitro (P < 0.01). These results suggested that the bone mass of the lumbar vertebrae and femurs in ovariectomized rats was decreased rapidly firstly, and then rose slowly with time; the bone mass in the L1 and intertrochanteric regions lost seriously; the bone turnover markers showed a significant increase at the beginning of ovariectomy and reduced gradualy to normal condition, while the estrogen level was increased at the first month after ovariectomy and then decreased rapidly. In addition, the body mass, bone turnover markers and estrogen level were associated with the change of bone mass.