[Gastric hamartomatous inverted polyps: a clinicopathological analysis of five cases].

Objective: To investigate the endoscopic and histopathological features, diagnosis and differential diagnosis of gastric hamartomatous inverted polyp (GHIP). Methods: Five cases of GHIP were collected at the University Town Hospital of Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China, from May 2021 to May 2023. The endoscopic, pathological and immunohistochemical features of the 5 GHIP cases were analyzed. The relevant literature was reviewed. Results: There were 3 males and 2 females, aged from 49 to 60 years, with a mean age of 56 years. The lesions were located in the fundus and body of the stomach, and presented as polyps or masses under endoscopy. Microscopically, the lesions were mainly in the submucosa and consisted of lobulated or clustered gastric glandular epithelium surrounded by hyperplastic smooth muscle. In some areas, there were differentiated glandular elements mimicking the normal gastric mucosa. The irregularly dilated glandular elements in the center were lined by hyperplastic foveolar epithelium, while the glands in the periphery were fundic or pyloric glands. In addition, in some areas, the glands showed cystic expansion, disordered arrangement and lack of differentiation. The hyperplastic glandular epithelium included foveolar epithelium, fundic gland and pyloric gland. There were scattered neuroendocrine cells and smooth muscle bundles in the stroma. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells were positive for MUC5AC, MUC6, Pepsinogen Ⅰ and H+/K+ ATPase ß, but negative for MUC2. The scattered neuroendocrine cells were positive for synaptophysin, and the desmin stain highlighted hyperplastic smooth muscle bundles. One case was classified as type 2 gastric inverted polyp, and 4 cases were classified as type 3. Conclusions: GHIP is a rare gastric polyp with unique histological features. It should be distinguished from inverted hyperplastic polyp, gastritis cystica profunda, adenomyoma, hyperplastic polyps and well-differentiated gastric tubular adenocarcinoma, etc. Improving the understanding of its pathogenesis and diagnostic features can help avoid misdiagnoses.

Characteristics of atmospheric ice nucleating particles over East Antarctica retrieved from the surface snow.

The concentration of ice nucleating particles (INPs) in the atmosphere is critical for understanding cloud microphysics and predicting the climate system. In this study, we collected surface snow samples along a traverse route from the coastal to the inland of East Antarctica to analyze INP concentrations and identify their spatial variations using a droplet freezing device. The overall concentration of INPs was found to be considerably low along the route, averaging at 0.8 ± 0.8 × 105 L-1 in water and 4.2 ± 4.8 × 10-3 L-1 in air at -20 °C. Although coastal areas had higher levels of sea salt species compared to inland regions, the concentration of INPs remained consistent along the route suggesting less important origination of INPs from the around ocean. Additionally, the heating experiment revealed the important contribution of proteinaceous INPs indicating the presence of biological INPs (bio-INPs). The fraction of bio-INPs was 0.52 on average at -20 °C and ranged from 0.1 to 0.7 from -30 °C to -15 °C. Finally, we parameterize the atmospheric INP concentrations as a function of freezing temperature which can be useful for modeling INP concentrations in this region.

[Safety and effectiveness of Neuroform Atlas stent-assisted coiling in the endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms: a single-center observational study].

Objective: To investigate the safety and effectiveness of Neuroform Atlas stent-assisted coiling in the endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms. Methods: This was a retrospective, single-center observational study of 77 patients who underwent endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms using the Neuroform Atlas device at the Department of Neurology, People's Liberation Army General Hospital from July 2020 to May 2022. There were 34 males and 43 females, with a median (range) age of 59 (23-81) years. The degree and effect of aneurysm embolization were evaluated by modified Raymond grading post procedure and after 6 months. Complications occurring during the perioperative period were recorded. Vaso computed tomography was performed immediately after the operation to assess stent opening and adherence. Digital subtraction angiography was performed 6 months after discharge and the aneurysm was classified as cured, stable, or recurrent. Results: A total of 87 Atlases were successfully released in 77 cases. Angiography performed immediately after the embolization revealed 19 (24.7%) modified Raymond grade Ⅰ, 10 (13.0%) grade Ⅱ, and 48 (62.3%) grade Ⅲa cases. Three perioperative complications were observed including thrombotic events in 2 cases and stent migration in 1 case. A follow-up angiogram was available for 47 aneurysms, and showed that modified Raymond grade Ⅰ occlusion was achieved in 38 (80.9%) cases, grade Ⅱ in 2 (4.3%) cases, and grade Ⅲa in 7 (14.9%) cases. At the 6-month follow-up, 38 patients were cured and 7 were stable, whereas 2 patients experienced a recurrence of aneurysm. Stenosis of the parent artery occurred in 3 (6.4%) cases, including 2 at the head and 1 inside the stent. Conclusions: The results of this preliminary study suggest that Neuroform Atlas stent-assisted coiling has a high occlusion rate and low incidence of complications in the endovascular treatment of aneurysms. However, the effectiveness of this procedure for large aneurysms and long-term outcomes require further investigation.

[Endovascular stenting for idiopathic intracranial hypertension with different types of venous sinus stenosis].

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of endovascular stenting of various types of venous sinus stenosis in idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH). Method: Clinical, radiological, and manometric data before and after stenting in venous sinus stenosis were retrospectively analyzed in 99 IIH patients who were refractory to medical therapy or rapidly progressed between July 2004 to July 2019. The follow-up period was between 2.3 months to 11 years. Results: Our study enrolled 21 men (21.2%)and 78 women (78.8%) with average body mass index (BMI) 19.2-40.6(27.0±4.4) kg/m2 and median age 37 years. Before stent placement, the mean transverse sinus stenosis gradient was 1-59(26±8) mmHg. Patients with extrinsic stenosis were younger than those with intrinsic and mixed stenosis. In all cases, stenting was effective for papilledema. Fifty patients complained of headaches. Pulsatile tinnitus in twenty-eight patients completely alleviated after stenting. In one patient, replacement of stent did not improve symptoms, and a subsequent CSF diversion procedure was performed and effective. Conclusion: Irrespective of the type of stenosis, stenting of venous sinus stenosis is an effective treatment for IIH. Patients with persistent papilledema post-stenting and elevated transverse pressure pre-stenting should be followed closely as high risk of stenting failure may occur and further diversion procedure is needed.

Circular RNA hsa_circ_0012673 facilitates lung cancer cell proliferation and invasion via miR-320a/LIMK18521 axis.

OBJECTIVE: Lung cancer is one of the most malignant tumors with high morbidity and mortality in the world. The incidence and mortality of lung cancer were increased per year in many countries over the past 50 years. The increasing studies had shown that circular RNA (circRNA) was involved in the progression of lung cancer. Therefore, it was significant to seek the molecular mechanism of circ_0012673 in lung cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was performed to estimate the expression levels of circ_0012673, miR-320a and LIM domain kinase 1 (LIMK1) in lung cancer tissues and cells. 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazol-3-ium bromide (MTT), flow cytometry and transwell assays were recruited to evaluate proliferation, apoptosis and mobility of lung cancer cells, respectively. The relative protein expression levels of Vimentin, N-cadherin, E-cadherin and LIMK1 were determined with Western blot assay. The relationships among circ_0012673, miR-320a and LIMK1 were analyzed by starBase database, dual-luciferase reporter assay, and Pearson's correlation. RESULTS: Circ_0012673 was overexpressed in lung cancer tissues and cell lines. Loss-of-functional experiment confirmed that knockdown of circ_0012673 constrained proliferation, motility and Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT), but induced apoptosis by targeting miR-320a. Furthermore, LIMK1 was a target of miR-320a in lung cancer cells. Elevated LIMK1 could abolish the overexpression of miR-320a induced effects on lung cancer cells. Mechanistically, circ_0012673 contributed to lung cancer progression through mediating miR-320a /LIMK1 pathway. CONCLUSIONS: Circ_0012673 was a tumor-promoter in lung cancer via acting as competing endogenous RNA to regulate LIMK1 expression by binding miR-320a.

[Association of ambient fine particulate matters with anxiety in middle-aged and elderly people].

Objective: To investigate the association of ambient fine particulate matters (PM(2.5)) exposure with anxiety in middle-aged and elderly people in China. Methods: Using a stratified random sampling method, 5 997 middle-aged and elderly people (aged 40-89) who resided in the region for more than 2 years and had no hearing or language impairment were selected from 32 districts/counties in the key areas for air pollution prevention and control in China from October 10(th), 2017 to February 7(th), 2018. Information about demographic characteristics, socioeconomic factors and health status were collected by questionnaire survey and physical examination. The anxiety symptoms were assessed by 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scales. Three-year moving average concentrations of PM(2.5) were calculated to estimate exposure level. The multivariate logistic regression model was conducted to assess the association between PM(2.5) exposure and anxiety. The interaction of age, gender, overweight, education, smoking, drinking and chronic diseases was also analyzed by likelihood ratio test. Results: There were 2 995 (49.94%) males subjects, 4 092 (68.23%) subjects with education of secondary school or above and 2 576 (42.95%) subjects with self-reported chronic diseases among the 5 997 middle-aged and elder participants. The prevalence of anxiety was 6.64% (n=398). The mean±SD of 3-year moving average concentrations of PM(2.5), O(3) and SO(2) were (53.50±13.38), (90.58±13.26) and (40.29±12.56) µg/m(3), respectively. PM(2.5) had significantly association with anxiety, and the corresponding OR value was 1.17 (95%CI: 1.05,1.31) with a 10 µg/m(3) increment of 3-year moving average concentrations of PM(2.5). Compared with female (OR (95%CI)=1.07 (0.93,1.23)), those with no chronic diseases (OR (95%CI)=1.06 (0.93,1.20)) and those with primary school degree or below (OR (95% CI)=0.90 (0.75,1.09)), the association between PM(2.5) and anxiety was stronger among male (OR (95%CI)=1.35 (1.12,1.63)) and those with chronic diseases (OR (95%CI)=1.77 (1.31,2.38)), middle school education (OR (95%CI)=1.43 (1.22,1.67)), college education and above (OR (95%CI)=1.68 (1.05, 2.67)), all the P interaction values were <0.05. Conclusion: PM(2.5) exposure has significantly positive association with anxiety. The associations are stronger in male, people with higher educational qualifications and patients with chronic diseases.

[Comparison of the secretory related molecules expression in stem cells from the pulp of human exfoliated deciduous teeth and dental pulp stem cells].

Objective: To compare the general biological characteristics and the expressions of proteins involved in secretion in stem cells from the pulp of human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHED) and dental pulp stem cells (DPSC). Methods: SHED and DPSC were cultured and collected at passage 4 (P4) and P7. The submandibular gland epithelial and interstitial cells were cultured with tissue culture method. The cell morphology was observed using a phase contrast microscope. Flow cytometry was used to detect stem cell surface markers. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and IncuCyte ZOOM were used to evaluate cell proliferation. Quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) was performed to examine the mRNA expressions of proteins involved in fluid and protein secretion. Results: P4 and P7 SHED and DPSC were spindle-shaped. There was no difference in cell morphology among the 4 group cells. P4 and P7 SHED and DPSC expressed CD29, CD44, CD73, and CD90, the mesenchymal stem cell markers, while, CD49f and CD117, the epithelium markers were undetected. There was no difference in cell proliferation among the 4 group cells. Compared with P4 SHED, the expressions of muscarinic cholinergic receptor 1 (MR1), MR3, aquaporin 5 (AQP5), ß1-adrenoceptor (ß1-AR), α-amylase, and mucin 5B in SHED were not different, while ß2-AR expression was decreased (P<0.05). Compared with P4 DPSC, the expressions of MR3, ß2-AR, and α-amylase in P7 DPSC were not different, while, the expressions of MR1, AQP5, ß1-AR, and mucin 5B were decreased (P<0.05). Compared with primary cultured submandibular gland epithelial cells and gland tissues from a child, the expressions of proteins involved in secretion were all decreased. Compared with submandibular epithelial cells from adults, the expression of AQP5 in P4 DPSC was decreased (P<0.05), while other proteins were not different. The expressions of AQP5, ß1-AR, α-amylase and mucin 5B in P7 DPSC were increased (P<0.05), while other proteins were not different. In P4 and P7 DPSC, all the protein expression levels were decreased, compared with those in submandibular gland tissues (P<0.01). Conclusions: Compared with DPSC, SHED have stable growth and the expressions of protein involved fluid and protein secretion are low. Based on its extensive sources and easy separation, SHED can be used as the ideal seed cell for salivary gland tissue engineering and the treatment of salivary gland hypofunction, and the P4 to P7 SHED can be used for experimental study.

Mitochondrial DNA insertions in the nuclear Capra hircus genome.

Nuclear mitochondrial pseudogenes (numts), originating from mtDNA insertions into the nuclear genome, have been detected in many species. However, the distribution of numts in the newly published nuclear genome of domestic goat (Capra hircus) has not yet been explored. We used the entire goat mtDNA sequence and nuclear genome, to identify 118 numts using BLAST. Of these, 79 were able to map sequences to the genome. Further analysis showed that the size of the numts ranged from 318 to 9608 bp, and the homologous identity between numts and their respective corresponding mtDNA fragments varied between 65 and 99%. The identified Yunnan black goat numts covered nearly all the mitochondrial genes including mtDNA control region, and were distributed over all chromosomes with the exception of chromosomes 18, 21, and 25. The Y chromosome was excluded from our analysis, as sequence data are currently not available. Among the discovered 79 numts that we were able to map to the genome, 26 relatively complete mitochondrial genes were detected. Our results constitute valuable information for subsequent studies related to mitochondrial genes and goat evolution.

[Property analysis of the finals mispronunciation in Chinese-speaking children with functional articulation disorder].

Objective: To characterize the finals mispronunciation in Chinese-speaking children with functional articulation disorder (FAD), in order to promote the standardized diagnosis. Method: A retrospective study was conducted. From January to December 2013, 90 FAD children, diagnosed by Dysarthria Rating Scale and Mandarin Finals scale, were included in this study. Among them, 22 were found to have finals mispronunciation; the average age was (6.56±0.26) years. According to the finals classification, six different finals (simple finals, front vowel compound finals, central vowel compound finals, back vowel compound finals, anterior nasal finals, and posterior nasal finals) were defined; the produced sound samples of those subjects were analyzed. Result: In all these children, 22 of 90 (24%) were found having finals mispronunciation, the occurring rates of which with omission and substitution errors were: 3% (4/132) for simple finals, 30% (26/88) for front vowel compound finals, 26% (23/88) for central vowel compound finals, 7% (8/110) for back vowel compound finals, 73%(128/176) for anterior nasal finals and 73% (112/154) for posterior nasal finals, respectively. In omission and substitution errors, the ratios of the finals above were 50% (150/301), 3% (10/301), 5% (14/301), 36% (107/301), 2% (5/301) and 5% (15/301), respectively. The most frequently occurred mispronunciation were omission, substitution and distortion, with rates of 37% (273/748), 4% (28/748) and 8% (61/748), respectively. Conclusion: The FAD children have remarkable mispronunciation of finals. Omission is the main error. The nasal finals are the most commonly involved, followed by front vowel and central vowel compound finals. The simple finals and the back vowel compound finals are most commonly produced in omission and substitution. These finals production features should be considered when making and implementing rehabilitation programs.

Direct high-precision measurement of the effective optical path length of multi-pass cell with optical frequency domain reflectometer.

Multi-pass cells (MPCs) are commonly used in trace-gas detection and weak spectrum measurement. It is essential to accomplish a high-precision measurement of MPCs' effective optical path length (EOPL). A direct high-precision measuring method of MPCs' EOPL with optical frequency domain reflectometer (OFDR) was reported and demonstrated in this paper. Several important parameters of a MPC, such as EOPL and base length, were derived with high-precision by identifying the complicated signal of OFDR. The MPC's EOPL was also verified with the prevailing absorbance method. The results showed that the MPC's EOPL measured by each of these two methods is highly consistent. However, the relative uncertainty with the OFDR dramatically decreased 2 orders of magnitude (about 0.0085%) than that with the absorbance method. It demonstrated that the OFDR method with fewer measurement links is more conducive to a direct measurement. The performances of beam spread and stray light in the White-cell were also evaluated with the method.

Mechanical thrombectomy with Solitaire stent for acute internal carotid artery occlusion without atherosclerotic stenosis: dissection or cardiogenic thromboembolism.

BACKGROUND: In acute ischemic stroke patients, internal carotid artery occlusion with middle cerebral artery (ICA/MCA) occlusion in succession predicts a poor outcome after systemic thrombolysis. It is not known whether this occlusion subtype of the anterior circulation is due to dissections or cardiogenic thromboembolism. We aimed to find useful evidence to judge the condition with accuracy and establish reasonable treatment protocols. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective study included 7 consecutive patients with acute ICA/MCA occlusion in succession who had undergone mechanical thrombectomy with a Solitaire stent retrieval between January 2012 and June 2013. Then we also reviewed the current literature. RESULTS: The patients had a mean age of 56 years and a mean baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score of 20. The procedure resulted in thrombolysis in cerebral ischemia (TICI) scores of 2a or better in all patients, but complete recanalization of the ICA occlusion segment was achieved in only 2 patients. Stenting was not performed in all patients. At 90 days, 1 patient was dead and 4 of the 7 patients had favorable functional outcomes (modified Rankin score (mRS) ≥ 2). We identified 9 studies with 85 patients with nonatherosclerotic acute ICA occlusion who underwent mechanical thrombectomy with Solitaire stent. The mean age was 65 years with a mean baseline National Institute Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score of 16 and mean time to treatment of 242 minutes. The mean time of the procedures ranged from 40-160 minutes in 9 studies. Successful recanalization was achieved in 69.4% of the patients and mortality was 16.5%. Favorable outcome (mRS ≤ 2) occurred in 42.4% of patients. Few studies stated whether complete recanalization was achieved in patients with ICA occlusion. CONCLUSIONS: Our results and the literature review suggest that mechanical thrombectomy in acute stroke due to ICA/MCA occlusion is feasible and safe, with high rates of recanalization and favorable functional outcomes. More patients with ICA/MCA occlusion in succession could obtain favorable functional outcomes with accurate judgment of the lesion location and appropriate treatment protocols. However, there is no consensus on how to judge the correct location of the ICA dissected portion and whether stenting is appropriate.

Identification of a novel allele MICA*008:05 by sequence-based typing.

The new allele differs from MICA*008:01:01 by a single nucleotide substitution at position 591 of exon 3.

Roles of activated astrocytes in bone marrow stromal cell proliferation and differentiation.

Local microenvironment plays an important role in determining the fate choice of stem cells in the central nervous system (CNS). Astrocytes, a major component of local microenvironment in the CNS, have been demonstrated to influence the proliferation and neural differentiation of stem cells including neural stem/progenitor cells, embryonic stem cells and bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs). However, it has remained to be ascertained if inflammation-activated astrocytes can affect the behavior of BMSCs. To this end, astrocyte-conditioned medium (ACM) was prepared in this study for treatment of BMSCs. The ACM derived from Wistar rat astrocytes stimulated by lipopolysaccharide for 12, 36 or 72 h, respectively, served as inflammatory ACM (12 h ACM, 36 h ACM and 72 h ACM), while that from unstimulated astrocytes was used as normal control astrocyte-conditioned medium (N-ACM). The results showed that the proliferation and neural differentiation of BMSCs grown in inflammatory ACM were significantly increased compared with those grown in N-ACM. The efficiency of BMSCs exposed to 36 h ACM was significantly greater than that of those exposed to 12 or 72 h ACM. Following neutralization of interleukin-6 (IL-6) of the ACM, both the proliferation and astrocytic differentiation of BMSCs were decreased; on the other hand, the neuronal differentiation was significantly increased. The present findings suggest that inflammation-activated astrocytes can facilitate the proliferation and neural differentiation of BMSCs and activated astrocytes at different phase after CNS injuries might have distinct effects on BMSCs. Moreover, astrocyte-derived IL-6 participates in the proliferation and neural differentiation of BMSCs.