Investigating amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation and possible links with cognitive impairment in childhood and adolescence onset schizophrenia: a correlation study.

Background: Cognitive impairment (CI) is a distinctive characteristic of schizophrenia, with evidence suggesting that childhood and adolescence onset schizophrenia (CAOS), representing severe but rare forms of schizophrenia, share continuity with adult-onset conditions. While relationships between altered brain function and CI have been identified in adults with schizophrenia, the extent of brain function abnormalities in CAOS remains largely unknown. In this study, we employed resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) to investigate functional alterations in brain areas among patients with CAOS. To assess CI across multiple cognitive domains, we utilized the Stroop Color and Word Tests (SCWT) and MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB) tests. Our objective was to explore the associations between functional CI and the amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (ALFF) levels in these patients. Methods: We enrolled 50 patients diagnosed with CAOS and 33 healthy controls (HCs) matched for sex and age. Cognitive functions were assessed using the MCCB and SCWT methods. Rs-fMRI data were acquired using gradient-echo echo-planar imaging sequences. Voxel-based ALFF group maps were compared through two-sample t-tests in SPM8. Subsequently, correlation analyses were conducted to identify associations between ALFF levels and cognitive scores. Results: In comparison to HCs, patients exhibited significantly increased ALFF levels in the right fusiform gyrus, frontal lobe, and caudate, as well as the left frontal lobe and caudate. Conversely, reduced ALFF levels were observed in the temporal and left medial frontal lobes. Significant differences were identified between HCs and patients in terms of total cognitive scores, ALFF levels, and domain scores. All test scores were decreased, except for TMA. Correlation analyses between ALFF levels and cognitive functions in patients with CAOS differed from those in HCs. Pearson correlation analyses revealed positive associations between Brief Visuospatial Memory Test - Revised (BVMT-R) scores and ALFF levels in the left medial frontal gyrus. Digital Span Test (DST) scores were negatively correlated with ALFF levels in the right caudate, and Maze Test values were negatively correlated with levels in the left caudate. However, Pearson correlation analyses in HCs indicated that color and Hopkins Verbal Learning Test (HVLT-R) scores positively correlated with ALFF levels in the left frontal lobe, while color-word and symbol coding scores negatively correlated with levels in the right caudate. Conclusions: Altered ALFF levels in the brain may be linked to cognitive impairment (CI) in patients with CAOS. We highlighted the pathophysiology of schizophrenia and provide imaging evidence that could potentially aid in the diagnosis of CAOS.

Effectiveness and safety of endoscopy-assisted versus conventional open lateral neck dissection: A meta-analysis.

The objective of this study was to systematically evaluate the effectiveness and safety of endoscopic-assisted lateral neck dissection (EALND) compared with conventional open lateral neck dissection (COLND) for the treatment of thyroid cancer with positive lymph node metastases. Medical literature databases including PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, CNKI, Wan Fang and VIP were systematically searched for articles that compared EALND and COLND for the treatment of thyroid carcinoma with lymph node metastasis, up to June 2019. The quality of included studies was evaluated using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS). Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.3 software after two evaluators independently screened the literature, extracted information and evaluated the methodological quality of included studies according to inclusion and exclusion criteria, resulting in the selection of seven studies with a total of 372 patients from six non-RCTs and an RCT. The results of meta-analysis showed that EALND was associated with a longer operative time (MD = 24.86, 95∗CI：21.76 to 27.96, P＜0.05), with a shorter postoperative stay (MD = -1.45, 95％CI：-2.70 to -0.21，P = 0.02), reduced length of scar (MD = -8.14，95％CI：-8.41 to -7.88, P＜0.00001) and a lower incidence of neck discomfort (OR = 0.19, 95％CI：0.07 to 0.58, P = 0.003) compared with COLND. The incidences in both groups of transient hypocalcemia (OR = 0.66，95％CI：0.28 to 1.55，P = 0.343), transient hoarseness (OR = 0.58，95％CI：0.17 to 1.93，P = 0.38)，chylous fistula (OR = 0.69，95％CI：0.26 to 1.83，P = 0.45), choking on water (OR = 0.24，95％CI：0.04 to 1.31，P = 0.10) and the number of lymph nodes retrieved from the lateral cervical region (MD = 0.14，95％CI：-0.36 to 0.65，P = 0.59) were not statistically significant. It was concluded that EALND was safe and feasible compared with COLND, despite the longer operation time. The incision was more aesthetically pleasing and the postoperative recovery was quicker, which makes EALND a clinical procedure worthy of use in such cases.

A Multistakeholder Approach to the Airport Gate Assignment Problem: Application of Fuzzy Theory for Optimal Performance Indicator Selection.

Airport gate assignment performance indicator selection is a complicated decision-making problem with strong subjectivity and difficulty in measuring the importance of each indicator. A better selection of performance indicators (PIs) can greatly increase the airport overall benefit. We adopt a multicriteria decision-making approach to quantify qualitative PIs and conduct subsequent selection using the fuzzy clustering method. First, we identify 21 commonly used PIs through literature review and survey. Subsequently, the fuzzy analytic hierarchy process technique was employed to obtain the selection criteria weights based on the relative importance of significance, availability, and generalisability. Further, we aggregated the selection criteria weights and experts' score to evaluate each PI for the clustering process. The fuzzy-possibilistic product partition c-means algorithm was applied to divide the PIs into different groups based on the three selection criteria as partitioning features. The cluster with highest weights of the centre was identified as the very high-influence cluster, and 10 PIs were identified as a result. This study revealed that the passenger-oriented objective is the most important performance criterion; however, the relevance of the airport/airline-oriented and robustness-oriented performance objectives was highlighted as well. It also offers a scientific approach to determine the objective functions for future gate assignment research. And, we believe, through slight modifications, this model can be used in other airports, other indicator selection problems, or other scenarios at the same airport to facilitate policy making and real situation practice, hence facilitate the management system for the airport.

Nonliposuction Endoscopic Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy Through the Periareolar Incision.

Background. Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) has been an alternative to axillary lymph node dissection as a standard procedure for breast cancer patients with clinically negative lymph nodes. Endoscopic technique has been developed for over 20 years but remains to be mastered by a slice of surgeons. Suction and squeezing in the liposuction endoscopic procedures may increase risk of local recurrence and metastasis. In this study, we present our method of SLNB procedure through the periareolar incision which improves the shape of the breast-conserving surgery. Patients and Procedures. Twenty-eight breast cancer patients with clinically negative lymph nodes received this procedure. Methylene blue dye and technetium-99m sulfur colloid were used to be the tracker of sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs). Periareolar incision was the main surgical technique. The STORZ HD endoscopic system and some special instruments were used during the operation. Results. SLNs can be accurately located and biopsied under an endoscope without additional incisions. The SLNs detection rate, sensitivity, and false-negative rate are 88%, 80%, and 11.1%, respectively. And, the complications such as paresthesia and upper limb lymphedema are similar compared with traditional breast-conserving surgery (10.7% vs 9.8% and 7.1% vs 7.8%). Conclusion. Endoscopic technique can be used to accurately assess the status of SLNs in patients with breast cancer. Nonliposuction endoscopic breast-conserving surgery is one of the safe and alternative surgical procedures for early breast cancer.

A challenging therapeutic method for breast cancer: Non-lipolytic endoscopic axillary surgery through periareolar incisions.

Surgical treatment of breast cancer is becoming increasingly precise, less invasive, and more cosmetically pleasing. Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) and axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) remain the standard treatment methods for breast cancer. However, these methods still require incisions in the breasts or axilla. Mastoscopic axillary lymph node dissection (MALND) surgery, although first reported several years ago, has not been widely used as it involves lipolysis. Non-lipolytic mastoscopy may be more appealing; however, the lack of a cavity in the breast and the abundant fat and glands make this procedure challenging. In addition, incision of the trocar in the axilla has been shown to have no advantage over traditional breast-conserving surgery. The present study describes 16 cases of non-lipolytic endoscopic axillary surgery without incisions in the axilla.

Effects of whey protein nutritional supplement on muscle function among community-dwelling frail older people: A multicenter study in China.

BACKGROUND: Frailty, featured by the presence of fatigue, weight loss, decrease in grip strength, decline gait speed and reduced activities substantially increase the risk of falls, disability, hospitalizations, and mortality of older people. Nutritional supplementation and resistance exercise may improve muscle function and reverse frailty status. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether whey protein supplements can improve muscle function of frail older people in addition to resistance exercise. METHODS: 115 community-dwelling older adults who met the Fried's criteria for frailty from four hospitals' out-patients clinic in Beijing, China completed the study. It's a case-control study which whey protein was used as daily supplementation for 12 weeks for active group and regular resistance exercise for active group and control group. Handgrip strength, gait speed, chair-stand test, balance score, and SPPB score were compared in both groups during the 12-week follow-up. RESULTS: Overall, 115 subjects were enrolled for study with 66 in active group and 49 in control group. Handgrip strength, gait speed, and chair-stand time were all significantly improved in both groups with significant between-group differences. The active group improved significantly in handgrip strength compared with the control group, which between-group effect (95% confidence interval) for female was 0.107 kg (0.066-0.149), p = 0.008 and for male was 0.89 kg (0.579-1.201), p = 0.007. For chair-stand time, between-group effect (95% confidence interval) was -2.875 s (-3.62 to -2.124), p = 0.004 and for gait speed, between-group effect (95% confidence interval) was 0.109 m/s (0.090 to 0.130), p = 0.003. CONCLUSIONS: The 12-week intervention of whey protein oral nutritional supplement revealed significant improvements in muscle function among the frailty elderly besides aiding with resistance exercise. These results warrant further investigations into the role of a multi-modal supplementation approach which could prevent adverse outcomes among frailty elderly at risk for various disabilities.

Amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations in childhood-onset schizophrenia with or without obsessive-compulsive symptoms: a resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging study.

INTRODUCTION: Childhood-onset schizophrenia with obsessive-compulsive symptoms (COSO) and without obsessive-compulsive symptoms (COS) share considerable overlap in clinical features and genetic risk factors. However, the extent of brain functional abnormalities in COSO and COS is poorly understood. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 51 first-episode childhood schizophrenic patients and 30 healthy age- and sex-matched controls were recruited. We used the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale to divide patients into COSO (n = 21) and COS (n = 30) groups. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging images were obtained using a gradient-echo echo-planar imaging sequence. Voxel-based analysis of amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (ALFF) maps between the two groups was performed. RESULTS: The COS group showed significantly increased ALFF in the right caudate body, middle temporal gyrus and inferior parietal lobule (p < 0.05), while showing decreased ALFF in the left cerebellum posterior lobe (p < 0.05). The COSO group showed significantly increased ALFF in the left and right frontal lobe, cerebellum posterior lobe and precuneus (p < 0.05). When comparing the two groups, COSO showed significantly higher ALFF in the left cerebellum posterior lobe, frontal lobe, supramarginal gyrus, precuneus, right inferior frontal gyrus and medial frontal gyrus (p < 0.05). Interestingly, significantly lower ALFF was found in the right fusiform gyrus, corpus callosum and inferior parietal lobule in the group of patients with obsessive-compulsive symptoms (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings increase the understanding of the pathophysiology of schizophrenia and may provide imaging evidence for early diagnosis of COSO or COS.

Long non-coding RNA ANRIL promotes carcinogenesis via sponging miR-199a in triple-negative breast cancer.

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a complex breast cancer subtype characterized by the absence of estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (Her2). Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) antisense non-coding RNA in the INK4 locus (ANRIL) has been verified as oncogenic molecular in series of tumors, however, the role of ANRIL in TNBC carcinogenesis is still unclear. The purpose of present study is to investigate the expression and in-depth regulation of ANRIL on TNBC tumorigenesis. Expression level of ANRIL was up-regulated in TNBC tumor tissue and cell lines compared to noncancerous tissue and non-TNBC cells. Besides, the up-regulated ANRIL expression was closely correlated to poor prognosis. In vitro, loss-of-function experiments showed that ANRIL knockdown interfered by interference oligonucleotide could markedly suppress TNBC cells proliferation and enhance apoptosis. In vivo, ANRIL knockdown inhibited the tumor growth. Bioinformatics analysis and luciferase reporter assay revealed that miR-199a targeted ANRIL at 3'-UTR. Rescue experiments showed that miR-199a inhibitor could reverse the tumor-suppressing role of ANRIL knockdown on TNBC proliferation and apoptosis. Overall, present study demonstrated that ANRIL overexpression modulated TNBC tumorigenesis through acting as molecular 'sponge' for miR-199a, providing a novel insight and therapeutic target for TNBC.

Echinacoside suppresses pancreatic adenocarcinoma cell growth by inducing apoptosis via the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway.

The clinical application of natural products derived from traditional Chinese medicine has gained attention in cancer chemotherapeutics. Echinacoside (ECH), one of the phenylethanoids, isolated from the stems of Cistanches salsa (a Chinese herbal medicine) has tissue­protective and anti­apoptotic effects on the central nervous system. However, it remains largely elusive whether ECH possesses tumor suppressive activity. In the present study, it was demonstrated that ECH can markedly inhibit the proliferation of pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells by inducing the production of reactive oxygen species and the perturbation of mitochondrial membrane potential and thus triggering apoptosis. Furthermore, it was elucidated that ECH represses tumor cell growth through modulating MAPK activity. In conclusion, this study reveals an novel function of ECH in preventing cancer development, and implies that the usage of ECH could be a potential chemotherapeutic strategy for cancer.

[Air negative ion concentration and its relationships with meteorological factors in greenbelts of Jiamusi, Heilongjiang Province].

From March 2006 to February 2007, a synchronous observation was conducted on the air negative ion concentration and related meteorological factors in the greenbelts of Jiamusi, with their relationships studied. There was an obvious diurnal and monthly Variation in the air negative ion concentration, being higher in early morning and midnight and lower in mid-day and late afternoon, with the minimum of 217 ions per cubic centimeter, and being the highest in summer and the lowest in winter, with the maximum (782 ions per cubic centimeter) in July and the minimum (283 ions per cubic centimeter) in December. The air negative ion concentration was significantly negatively correlated with air temperature, and positively correlated with air pressure and relative humidity.

[Clinical analysis of primary biliary cirrhosis: a report of 42 cases].

OBJECTIVE: To study the clinical features of primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) in order to facilitate cognition of the disease. METHODS: Clinical data of 42 patients clinically and/or histologically diagnosed with PBC were reviewed. Anti mitochondrial antibody (AMA) negative/positive patients as well as the patients who were/were not associated with Sjogren Syndrome (SS) were compared in terms of clinical, biochemical and immunological features. RESULTS: Among the 42 patients, 78.6% (33/42) of the cases were females; the mean age at diagnosis was (61.1+/-10.8) years. The most frequent symptoms were fatigue. Serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase (gamma-GT) and total bile acid (TBA) levels were markedly elevated in the majority of the patients, whereas ALT and AST levels were mildly to moderately elevated. Thirty-one patients had a total bilirubin (TBil) level above normal. The levels of TBil and prothrombin time had positive correlationship with years of the course (P=0.000, r=0.696; P=0.005, r=0.424), whereas serum albumin level had negative correlationship with years of the course (P=0.002, r=-0.462). Thirty-seven patients had elevated serum IgM and 34 patients were AMA/AMA-M(2) positive. AMA negative and AMA positive patients were similar in terms of clinical manifestations and liver biochemistries findings. Serum IgM and IgA levels were significantly lower, whereas total cholesterol level was higher in AMA negative patients when compared with AMA positive cases. Fifteen cases were associated with SS, which were similar in terms of clinical, biochemical and immunological features when compared with the PBC patients were not associated with SS. CONCLUSION: PBC is mostly found in middle aged and old women. Elevated serum ALP, TBA and gamma-GT levels together with positive AMA/AMA-M(2) can help to diagnose PBC. AMA negative PBC patients are characterized by relatively lower serum IgM and IgA levels and higher total cholesterol level. PBC patients who are associated with SS have not substantial differences in the clinical, biochemical and immunological spectra of the disease.