Global burden of pelvic inflammatory disease and ectopic pregnancy from 1990 to 2019.

BACKGROUND: Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is a widespread female public problem worldwide. And it could lead to infertility, preterm labor, chronic pelvic pain, and ectopic pregnancy (EP) among reproductive-aged women. This study aimed to assess the global burden and trends as well as the chaning correlation between PID and EP in reproductive-aged women from 1990 to 2019. METHODS: The data of PID and EP among reproductive-aged women (15 to 49 years old) were extracted from the Global Burden of Disease study 2019. The disease burden was assessed by calculating the case numbers and age-standardized rates (ASR). The changing trends and correlation were evaluated by calculating the estimated annual percentage changes (EAPC) and Pearson's correlation coefficient. RESULTS: In 2019, the ASR of PID prevalence was 53.19 per 100,000 population with a decreasing trend from 1990 (EAPC: - 0.50), while the ASR of EP incidence was 342.44 per 100,000 population with a decreasing trend from 1990 (EAPC: - 1.15). Globally, PID and EP burdens changed with a strong positive correlation (Cor = 0.89) globally from 1990 to 2019. In 2019, Western Sub-Saharan Africa, Australasia, and Central Sub-Saharan Africa had the highest ASR of PID prevalence, and Oceania, Eastern Europe, and Southern Latin America had the highest ASR of EP incidence. Only Western Europe saw significant increasing PID trends, while Eastern Europe and Western Europe saw increasing EP trends. The highest correlations between PID and EP burden were observed in Burkina Faso, Laos, and Bhutan. General negative correlations between the socio-demographic index and the ASR of PID prevalence and the ASR of EP incidence were observed at the national levels. CONCLUSION: PID and EP continue to be public health burdens with a strong correlation despite slightly decreasing trends detected in ASRs globally. Effective interventions and strategies should be established according to the local situation by policymakers.

Formononetin improves the inflammatory response and bone destruction in knee joint lesions by regulating the NF-kB and MAPK signaling pathways.

Formononetin (FMN) is a phytoestrogen that belongs to the isoflavone family. It has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, as well as, many other biological activities. Existing evidence has aroused interest in its ability to protect against osteoarthritis (OA) and promote bone remodeling. To date, research on this topic has not been thorough and many issues remain controversial. Therefore, the purpose of our study was to explore the protective effect of FMN against knee injury and clarify the possible molecular mechanisms. We found that FMN inhibited osteoclast formation induced by receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL). Inhibition of the phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of p65 in the NF-κB signaling pathway plays a role in this effect. Similarly, during the inflammatory response of primary knee cartilage cells activated by IL-1ß, FMN inhibited the NF-κB signaling pathway and the phosphorylation of the ERK and JNK proteins in the MAPK signaling pathway to suppress the inflammatory response. In addition, in vivo experiments showed that both low- and high-dose FMN had a clear protective effect against knee injury in the DMM (destabilization of the medial meniscus) model, and the therapeutic effect of high-dose FMN was stronger. In conclusion, these studies provide evidence of the protective effect of FMN against knee injury.

Risk factors for embolism in cardiac myxoma: a retrospective analysis.

BACKGROUND: Myxomas are the most common primary heart tumors and are closely associated with embolic events. Cardiac myxomas typically arise from the interatrial septum at the border of the fossa ovalis in the left atrium. Any other location is considered atypical. Embolism, one of the complications of myxoma, is associated with high morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to investigate the risk factors for embolism in patients with cardiac myxoma. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this retrospective study, a cohort of 162 patients with cardiac myxomas was surgically treated between January 1998 and June 2014 at 3 cardiac centers in China. Preoperative data, including platelet count, sex, age, and the tumor (size, location, surface, and attachment), were compared between embolic and non-embolic groups of patients. RESULTS: No significant differences in vascular risk factors were seen between the 2 groups. However, the percentage of higher platelet count (>300 × 10(9)/L) and mean platelet volume in the embolic group were significantly higher than in the non-embolic group (P=0.0356, and 0.0113, respectively). Irregular surface and atypical location of the myxomas were also independently associated with increased risk of embolic complications. CONCLUSIONS: Tumor location, macroscopic appearance, mean platelet volume, and high platelet count are strong risk factors for embolic events in patients with cardiac myxomas.

Dietary Patterns Associated Metabolic Syndrome in Chinese Adults.

Dietary pattern has been revealed to be associated with metabolic syndrome. However, the association was not well documented in Chinese due to the complexity of Chinese foods. We mainly assessed the dietary patterns and examined their effects on metabolic syndrome among Chinese adults. Four dietary patterns including 'Refined Grains & Vegetables' Pattern, 'Dairy & Eggs' Pattern, 'Organ Meat & Poultry' Pattern, and 'Coarse Grains & Beans' Pattern were extracted. 'Dairy & Eggs' Pattern was associated with a decreased odds of metabolic syndrome in women, and 'Coarse Grains & Beans' Pattern was associated with a decreased odds of hypertension in men. These results provided a scientific basis for future research and dietary guideline perfection.

The Wnt11 Signaling Pathway in Potential Cellular EMT and Osteochondral Differentiation Progression in Nephrolithiasis Formation.

The molecular events leading to nephrolithiasis are extremely complex. Previous studies demonstrated that calcium and transforming growth factor-ß1 (TGF-ß1) may participate in the pathogenesis of stone formation, but the explicit mechanism has not been defined. Using a self-created genetic hypercalciuric stone-forming (GHS) rat model, we observed that the increased level of serous/uric TGF-ß1 and elevated intracellular calcium in primary renal tubular epithelial cells (PRECs) was associated with nephrolithiasis progression in vivo. In the setting of high calcium plus high TGF-ß1 in vitro, PRECs showed great potential epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) progression and osteochondral differentiation properties, representing the multifarious increased mesenchymal and osteochondral phenotypes (Zeb1, Snail1, Col2A1, OPN, Sox9, Runx2) and decreased epithelial phenotypes (E-cadherin, CK19) bythe detection of mRNAs and corresponding proteins. Moreover, TGF-ß-dependent Wnt11 knockdown and L-type Ca2+ channel blocker could greatly reverse EMT progression and osteochondral differentiation in PRECs. TGF-ß1 alone could effectively promote EMT, but it had no effect on osteochondral differentiation in NRK cells (Rat kidney epithelial cell line). Stimulation with Ca2+ alone did not accelerate differentiation of NRK. Co-incubation of extracellular Ca2+ and TGF-ß1 synergistically promotes EMT and osteochondral differentiation in NRK control cells. Our data supplied a novel view that the pathogenesis of calcium stone development may be associated with synergic effects of TGF-ß1 and Ca2+, which promote EMT and osteochondral differentiation via Wnt11 and the L-type calcium channel.

[Meta-analysis of magnesium isoglycyrrhizinate combined with nucleoside analogues in patients with chronic hepatitis B].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the magnesium isoglycyrrhizinate plus nucleoside analogues (MGL + NA) combination therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis B using a meta-analysis approach. METHODS: The Chinese Biochemical literature on Disc (CBMDisc) and the Chinese Scientific Journal database, CNKI, were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of MGL+NA in patients with chronic hepatitis B published between 1995 and 2013. Data related to treatment type (combination therapy vs. mono-therapy) and outcome (markers of efficacy and safety, including levels of hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA, hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST)). Weighted mean differences (WMD) were calculated and the Peto method was used to determine the relative risk (RR), both with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: Meta-analysis of the six included RCTs of MGL + NA, representing a 704 patients with chronic hepatitis B, showed WMDs for ALT of -12.98 (95% CI: -18.24 to -7.71, P less than 0.01) and for AST of -9.49 (95% CI: -14.53 to -4.45, P = 0.0002) and RRs for HBeAg of 1.79 (95% CI: 1.17 to 2.76, P = 0.008) and for HBV DNA of 1.35 (95% CI: 1.05 to 1.74, P = 0.02). The therapeutic efficacy of MGL+NA combination therapy was better than that of NA mono-therapy (P less than 0.01). CONCLUSION: For patients with chronic hepatitis B, MGL combination therapy may enhance the antiviral efficacy of NA treatment and help to improve liver function during treatment.

Treatment with exogenous hydrogen sulfide attenuates hyperoxia-induced acute lung injury in mice.

The aim of this work was to test the effect of treatment with hydrogen sulfide (H2S) on hyperoxia-induced acute lung injury in mice. Mice were exposed to room air or 95 % O2, and treated with NaHS (intraperitoneal injection of 0.1 ml/kg/day of 0.56 mol/l NaHS). Treatment with H2S partly restored the reduced H2S levels in plasma and lungs of mice exposed to hyperoxia. Treatment with H2S attenuated hyperoxia-induced acute lung injury marked by reduced ratio of lung weight to body weight, ratio of lung wet weight to dry weight, and cell numbers and protein content in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and decreased apoptosis. Treatment with H2S markedly prolonged the survival of mice under oxygen exposure. Treatment with H2S abated hyperoxia-induced oxidative stress marked by reduced malondialdehyde and peroxynitrite formation, reduced NADPH oxidase activity, enhanced translocation of nuclear factor E2-related factor (Nrf2) into nucleus and increased activity of HO-1. Treatment with H2S decreased IL-1ß, MCP-1, and MIP-2, and increased IL-10 expression in lungs of mice exposed to hyperoxia. Treatment with H2S decreased NFκB activity and iNOS expression in lungs, and reduced NOx content in BAL of mice exposed to hyperoxia. Treatment with H2S reduced lung permeability and suppressed VEGF release and VEGFR2 expression in lungs of mice under oxygen exposure. Treatment with exogenous H2S attenuated hyperoxia-induced acute lung injury through abating oxidative stress, suppressing inflammation, and reducing lung permeability in mice.

Subcapsular renal haematoma after holmium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser ureterolithotripsy.

OBJECTIVE: To report the incidence, risk factors, and outcomes of subcapsular renal haematoma (SRH) after ureteroscopic lithotripsy (URSL) using holmium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Ho:YAG) laser to treat ureteric stones. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Prospective data from 2848 URSLs performed between January 2003 and September 2010 were retrospectively analysed. In all 11 patients were identified as having a SRH after URSL if they had persistent severe ipsilateral flank pain or a palpable mass within a day of surgery, or presented with radiographic evidence of a SRH. Risk factors for the development and course of the SRH were reported. RESULTS: Of the 2848 consecutive patients treated with URSL using Ho:YAG laser, 11 (0.4%) developed a SRH after surgery. Patients who developed a SRH had larger stones (1.4 vs 0.9 cm, P < 0.001), more severe ipsilateral hydronephrosis (P < 0.001), longer operation duration (41 vs 33 min, P < 0.001), and higher perfusion pressure of hydraulic irrigation (176.8 vs 170.2 mmHg, P < 0.001) than patients who did not develop a SRH. Patient age, sex, body mass index, presence of diabetes mellitus, history of urolithiasis and hypertension, presence of multiple stones, stone location and flow rate of hydraulic irrigation were not statistically different in patients who did or did not develop a SRH. Most patients were managed conservatively, with no further intervention or with a flank drain, until the SRH resolved. Overall, in three patients the SRH resolved with no further intervention, six patients were treated with a drain only, and two patients had open surgery within a day of presenting with SRH. CONCLUSIONS: The rate of development of SRH after URSL is very low. Most patients who present with a SRH after URSL, can be treated conservatively with no intervention or with a drain only.

Integrative Analysis Reveals a Nine TP53 Pathway-Related lncRNA Prognostic Signature in Endometrial Cancer.

Background: TP53 mutation is a common mutation gene in uterine corpus endometrial carcinoma (UCEC), and the TP53 signaling pathway plays an essential role in the tumorigenesis, progression, and immune infiltration in UCEC. We aimed to discover TP53 pathway-related lncRNAs in UCEC. Materials and methods. 528 UCEC patients with 587 transcriptional profiles were enrolled in this study. We first investigated the differential status of TP53 signaling pathway between tumor and normal tissues by GSEA analysis, then identified TP53 pathway-related lncRNAs, accordingly establishing a nine TP53 pathway related to the lncRNA signature in the training set and verified this signature in the test set. Besides, the interaction network was constructed; the immune infiltration, drug response to cisplatin and paclitaxel, and mutation atlas were investigated. Finally, we performed a subgroup analysis to check the universality of this signature. Results: A nine TP53 pathway-related lncRNA prognostic signature was constructed and verified superior accuracy in predicting the overall survival of UCEC patients. Besides, high-risk patients showed a poor prognosis, but they were more sensitive to the cisplatin and paclitaxel. Notably, M2 macrophages were higher infiltrated in high-risk patients, and TP53 showed a significantly higher mutation in high-risk patients than low-risk patients. Conclusions: We constructed and verified a nine TP53 pathway-related lncRNA prognostic signature in UCEC, which also contributes to the decision-making of the chemotherapy.

[Percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy in the treatment of adjacent segment lumbar disc herniation after lumbar fusion].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical effect of percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy in the treatment of adjacent segment lumbar disc herniation after lumbar fusion. METHODS: From February 2010 to June 2018, 64 patients with adjacent segment lumbar disc herniation after lumbar fusion were retrospectively analyzed and divided into observation group and control group. In observation group, there were 23 males and 10 females performed with percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy, including 27 cases of single segment fusion and 6 cases of double segment fusion, aged from 55 to 83 years old with an average of (65.7±7.4) years old. In control group, there were 22 males and 9 females performed with traditional open fusion revision, including 25 cases of single-segment fusion and 6 cases of double segment fusion, aged from 51 to 78 years old with an average of(64.8±7.8) years old. The operative time, intraoperative blood loss, fluoroscopy times, postoperative ambulation time and length of postoperative hospital stay were recorded. The clinical efficacy was evaluated by visual analogue scale(VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index(ODI). The complications between two groups were observed. RESULTS: All patients were followed up for at least 2 years. The observation group patients were followed up with an average of (2.4±0.5) years. The control group patients were followed up with an average of(2.6±0.7) years. Compared with control group, operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative ambulation time and length of postoperative hospital stay of the observation group were significantly reduced (P<0.05), and the fluoroscopy times of observation group were significantly increased compared with control group(P<0.05). The VAS of low back and lower limb, and ODI at the latest follow-up between two groups were all significantly improved compared to those of pre-operation (P<0.05). The VAS of low back at each point and ODI at 1, 3 months after operation in observation group was significantly reduced compared with control group(P<0.05), however there was no significant difference in VAS for lower limb between two groups (P>0.05). The difference of complications between two groups was statistically significant (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Compared with traditional open fusion revision surgery, percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy for the treatment of adjacent segment lumbar disc herniation after lumbar fusion has the advantages of reducing operation time and intra-operative blood loss, shortening ambulation time and the length of postoperative hospital stay, and promoting pain and functional improvement, and decrease incidence of complications. However, long-term clinical efficacy needs further study.

High-Calcium Microenvironment during the Development of Kidney Calculi Can Promote Phenotypic Transformation of NRK-52E Cells by Inhibiting the Expression of Stromal Interaction Molecule-1.

Objective: To explore whether Stromal Interaction Molecule-1 (STIM1) participates in the phenotypic transformation of NRK-52E cells under high-calcium microenvironment. Materials and Methods: NRK-52E cells were treated with high concentration of calcium. The viability and apoptosis of cells were detected by CCK-8 (cell counting kit-8) and flow cytometry, respectively. The expression changes of phenotypic marker proteins (E-cadherin and OPN) and calcium channel proteins (STIMl and Orai1) in high-calcium environment were detected by western blotting and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The expression of STIMl protein in NRK-52E cells was upregulated and downregulated by plasmid-STIM1 and plasmid-shRNA-STIMl, respectively. The expressions of phenotypic marker proteins after upregulation or downregulation of STIMl were detected again. Besides, the intracellular calcium concentrations of NRK-52E cells in different treatments were detected by flow cytometry. Results: High-calcium microenvironment can promote the phenotypic transformation and the adhesion of calcium salts in NRK-52E cells and simultaneously suppress the expression of STIMl protein in NRK-52E cells. Downregulation of STIMl protein could also promote the phenotype transformation, while both the gene silence of matrix gla protein (MGP) and overexpression of STIMl showed reverse results. Conclusion: STIMl protein plays an important role in promoting phenotypic transformation of NRK-52E cells in high-calcium microenvironment.

[Curcumin targeting miR-155-5p/TP53INP1 axis induced oxidative stress to regulate salivary gland tumor cell proliferation and apoptosis].

PURPOSE: To investigate the mechanism of curcumin targeting miR-155-5p/TP53INP1 axis to induce oxidative stress to regulate salivary gland tumor cell proliferation and apoptosis. METHODS: A253 cells were cultured by adding curcumin and transfected with miR-155-5p mimic and/or pcDNA3.1-TP53INP1. Cell proliferation was detected by CCK-8 assay cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry, cell migration ability was detected by scratch test. The targeting relationship between miR-155-5p and TP53INP1 was verified by dual luciferase reporter assay. miR-155-5p, TP53INP1 mRNA expression was detected by qRT-PCR. Western blot was performed to detect expression of TP53INP1, Caspase8, Caspase3, Bcl-2, Bax protein; and ELISA was used to determine SOD, Gpx, and MDA content. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 22.0 software package. RESULTS: Dual luciferase reporter assay confirmed that TP53INP1 was a downstream target regulatory molecule of miR-155-5p. Compared with DMSO group, cell apoptosis, Caspase8, Caspase3, Bax protein expression and TP53INP1 expression were significantly increased in curcumin group, while Bcl-2 protein expression, miR-155-5p mRNA and number of cell migration were significantly decreased(P<0.05). Compared with curcumin + miR-155-5p mimic group, cell apoptosis, Caspase8, Caspase3, Bax protein expression was significantly increased in curcumin + pcDNA3.1-TP53INP1 group and curcumin + miR-155-5p mimic + pcDNA3.1-TP53INP1 group; Bcl-2 protein expression was significantly increased(P<0.05), SOD, GSH-PX activities and number of cell migration were significantly decreased and MDA content was significantly increased in curcumin+pcDNA3.1-TP53INP1 group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Curcumin inhibited A253 cell proliferation and promoted A253 cell apoptosis. The mechanism may be related to targeting miR-155-5p/TP53INP1 axis to induce oxidative stress regulation.

Characterization of the Lipid Metabolism in Bladder Cancer to Guide Clinical Therapy.

Background: Bladder cancer is one of the most common malignancies of the urinary system with an unfavorable prognosis. More and more studies have suggested that lipid metabolism could influence the progression and treatment of tumors. However, there are few studies exploring the relationship between lipid metabolism and bladder cancer. This study aimed to explore the roles that lipid metabolism-related genes play in patients with bladder cancer. Methods: TCGA_BLCA cohort and GSE13507 cohort were included in this study, and transcriptional and somatic mutation profiles of 309 lipid metabolism-related genes were analyzed to discover the critical lipid metabolism-related genes in the incurrence and progression of bladder cancer. Furthermore, the TCGA_BLCA cohort was randomly divided into training set and validation set, and the GSE13507 cohort was served as an external independent validation set. We performed the LASSO regression and multivariate Cox regression in training set to develop a prognostic signature and further verified this signature in TCGA_BLCA validation set and GSE13507 external validation set. Finally, we systematically investigated the association between this signature and tumor microenvironment, drug response, and potential functions and then verified the differential expression status of signature genes in the protein level by immunohistochemistry. Results: A novel 6-lipidmetabolism-related gene signature was identified and validated, and this risk score model could predict the prognosis of patients with bladder cancer. In addition, the prognostic model was tightly related to immune cell infiltration and tumor mutation burden. Gene set variation analysis (GSVA) and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) showed that mTOR signaling pathway, G2M checkpoint, fatty acid metabolism, and hypoxia were enriched in patients in the high-risk score groups. Furthermore, 3 therapies specific for bladder cancer patients in different risk scores were identified. Conclusion: s. In conclusion, we investigated the lipid metabolism-related genes in bladder cancer through comprehensive bioinformatic analysis. A novel 6-gene signature associated with lipid metabolism for predicting the outcomes of patients with bladder cancer was conducted and validated. Furthermore, the risk score model could be utilized to indicate the choice of therapy in bladder cancer.

Identification of a Twelve Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition-Related lncRNA Prognostic Signature in Kidney Clear Cell Carcinoma.

Background: Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays a vital role in tumor metastasis and drug resistance. It has been reported that EMT is regulated by several long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs). We aimed to identify EMT-related lncRNAs and develop an EMT-related lncRNA prognostic signature in kidney renal clear cell carcinoma (KIRC). Materials and Methods: In total, 530 ccRCC patients with 611 transcriptome profiles were included in this study. We first identified differentially expressed EMT-related lncRNAs. Then, all the samples with transcriptional data and clinical survival information were randomly split into training/test sets at a ratio of 1 : 1. Accordingly, we further developed a twelve differentially expressed EMT-related lncRNA prognostic signature in the training set. Following this, risk analysis, survival analysis, subgroup analysis, and the construction of the ROC curves were applied to verify the efficacy of the signature in the training set, test set, and all patients. Besides, we further investigated the differential immune infiltration, immune checkpoint expression, and immune-related functions between high-risk patients. Finally, we explored the different drug responses to targeted therapy (sunitinib and sorafenib) and immunotherapy (anti-PD1 and anti-CTLA4). Results: A twelve differentially expressed EMT-related lncRNA prognostic signature performed superior in predicting the overall survival of KIRC patients. High-risk patients were observed with a significantly higher immune checkpoint expression and showed better responses to the targeted therapy and immunotherapy. Conclusions: Our study demonstrates that the twelve differentially expressed EMT-related lncRNA prognostic signature could act as an efficient prognostic indicator for KIRC, which also contributes to the decision-making of the further treatment.

Multiple schwannomas with pseudoglandular element synchronously occurring under the tongue: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Schwannoma is a rare benign, encapsulated tumor of the nerve sheath under the tongue, mostly occurring as solitary tumors with classical histological pattern and several common morphological variants. To our knowledge, multiple schwannomas with pseudoglandular element synchronously occurring under the tongue are rare; we report herein the first such case. CASE SUMMARY: A 53-year-old man had first noticed an isolated asymptomatic mass under the tongue, and as the mass grew, the tongue was elevated. Physical examination showed multiple oval neoplasms, and the overlying mucosa was normal. Computed tomography showed three low-density oval neoplasms under the tongue, which were cystic-solid with unclear boundary. The patient has no cutaneous tumors, VIII nerve tumors, or lens opacities and no history of neurofibromatosis 2 or confirmed schwannomatosis in any first-degree relative. Magnetic resonance imaging showed no evidence of vestibular schwannoma. The preoperative diagnosis was mucoepidermoid carcinoma. During hospitalization, all neoplasms were completely excised by surgeons through an intraoral approach under general anesthesia. The diagnosis of the multiple schwannomas with pseudoglandular element was made by histopathology after surgery. At the 15-mo follow-up visit, the patient had no sign of recurrence or development of other peripheral nerve tumors. CONCLUSION: Although rare, multiple schwannomas with pseudoglandular element do exist in patients presenting with masses under the tongue. Oral surgeons should be aware of the existence of multiple schwannomas with pseudoglandular element when considering masses under the tongue due to the different prognosis between multiple schwannomas with pseudoglandular element and mucoepidermoid carcinoma.

[Analysis on the causes and prevention strategies of the vascular injury caused by the oblique lateral lumbar fusion].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the causes of vascular injury occurred in oblique lateral interbody fusion for treating lumbar degenerative diseases, and put forward preventive measures. METHODS: There were 235 patients analyzed from October 2014 to May 2017 in five hospitals, who were treated with oblique lateral interbody fusion with or without posterior pedicle screw fixation. There were 79 males and 156 females with an average age of (61.9±13.5) years old (ranged from 32 to 83 years). There were 7 cases of vascular injury, including 4 cases of segmental vessel injury, 1 case of left common iliac artery injury, 1 case of left common iliac veininjury and 1 case of ovarian vein injury. RESULTS: The follow up time ranged from 6 to 36 months, averagely (15.6±7.5) months. There was no pedicle screw loosen or fracture. The low back pain VAS decreased from preoperative 6.7±2.3 to 1.4±0.8 at the latest follow-up, which was statistically difference(t=7.21, P=0.033). The ODI decreased from preoperative (36.5±7.7)% to (9.4±3.6)% at the latest follow-up, which was statistically difference (t=8.11, P=0.025). CONCLUSION: Oblique lateral interbody fusion technique provides a new method for minimally invasive fusion of lumbar internal fixation. However, it has a risk of vascular injury. In order to effectively prevent the occurrence of vascular injury, the operative indications and careful and meticulous operation should be strictly grasped.

Successful medical drainage and surgical treatment for vertebral osteomyelitis and bilateral psoas abscess with gas formation caused by klebsiella pneumoniae in a diabetic patient.

OBJECTIVE: We describe the case of a diabetic patient who developed vertebral osteomyelitis and bilateral psoas abscess with gas formation due to klebsiella pneumoniae. METHODS: A 64-year-old woman with a 4-year history of type-2 diabetes mellitus was admitted to the Emergency Department. The subject had a 2-day history of high-grade fever associated with chills and a 5-hour history of consciousness. She received empirical treatment with febrifuge, after which her fever decreased. RESULTS: Her fever recurred after an interval of three hours. A computed tomography scan of the abdomen revealed vertebral osteomyelitis and bilateral psoas muscle abscess with gas formation. Blood culture and purulent fluid described the growth of the Klebsiella pneumoniae. The patient received antibiotic therapy and bilateral drainage therapy after the drainage catheter was placed into the abscess cavity by CT-guidance. Due to the serious damage to the vertebral column and permanent pain, the patient underwent minimally invasive internal spinal fixation and recovered successfully. CONCLUSION: A case of vertebral osteomyelitis and bilateral psoas abscess with gas formation caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae in a diabetic patient. Antibiotic therapy, drainage, and minimally invasive internal spinal fixation were performed, which enabled a good outcome.

Tip Crack Imaging on Transparent Materials by Digital Holographic Microscopy.

With this study, we propose a method to image the tip crack on transparent materials by using digital holographic microscopy. More specifically, an optical system based on Mach-Zehnder interference along with an inverted microscopy (Olympus CKX53) was used to image the tip crack of Dammar Varnish transparent material under thermal excitation. A series of holograms were captured and reconstructed for the observation of the changes of the tip crack. The reconstructed holograms were also compared temporally to compute the temporal changes, showing the crack propagation phenomena. Results show that the Dammar Varnish is sensitive to the ambient temperature. Our research demonstrates that digital holographic microscopy is a promising technique for the detection of the fine tip crack and propagation in transparent materials.

HSF1: a mediator in metabolic alteration of hepatocellular carcinoma cells in cross-talking with tumor-associated macrophages.

Recently, heat shock transcription factor 1 (HSF1) is observed to be involved in the process of cellular metabolism in cancer. However, the roles of HSF1 in the metabolic alteration of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in tumor microenvironment remain elusive. Here, HCC cells were co-cultured with tumor-associated macrophages (TAM). The levels of glucose uptake, the lactate release, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mtDNA content were measured by the associated Kits; all detected protocols were correspondingly according to the manufacturers' instructions. Recombinant lentiviruses with shRNA against HSF1 and MCT4 were transfected into HCC cells or TAMs. Western blot analysis was conducted to detect the relative levels of HSF1, MCT1 and MCT4 proteins. CCK-8 assay was utilized to assess cell proliferation. Based on the co-culture system with HCC cells and TAMs, metabolic alteration of HCC cells after co-culture with TAMs was observed. Furthermore, glucose consumption rate, lactate production rate and intercellular ROS level were decreased, while the copy number of mtDNA was increased in HSF1-knockdown HCC cells. Besides, metabolic crosstalk between HCC cells and TAMs was induced by HSF1 not only in HCC cells but also in TAMs through regulating individually MCT1 and MCT4 expressions. To the best of our knowledge, this is an important study to demonstrate the roles of HSF1 in regulating metabolic alteration of HCC cells induced by TAMs, which implies the potential use of HSF1 as a target modulating malignant behaviors of HCC cells.