Janus MoAZ3H (A = Ge, Si; Z = N, P, As) monolayers: a new class of semiconductors exhibiting excellent photovoltaic and catalytic performances.

Due to the asymmetrical structure in the vertical direction, Janus two-dimensional (2D) monolayer (ML) materials possess some unique physical properties, holding great promise for nanoscale devices. In this paper, based on the newly discovered MoA2Z4 (A = Si, Ge; Z = N, P, As) ML, we propose a class of 2D Janus MoAZ3H ML materials with good stability and excellent mechanical properties using first-principles calculations. We demonstrate that the novel Janus MoAZ3H ML materials are all semiconductors with bandgaps ranging from 0.69 to 2.44 eV, giving rise to good absorption in the visible light region. Especially, both MoSiN3H and MoGeN3H MLs can be used as catalysts for producing hydrogen through water splitting. This catalytic property is much more efficient than that of the MoA2Z4 ML, attributed to the intrinsic electric field induced by the vertical asymmetry effectively separating electrons and holes. More importantly, the carrier mobility of the MoAZ3H ML is up to 103-104 cm2 V-1 s-1 due to the large elastic modulus or small effective mass. Additionally, the electronic properties of the MoAZ3H ML can be easily tuned by strain. Our results suggest a new strategy for designing novel 2D Janus materials, which not only expands the members in the 2D MA2Z4-based Janus family, but also provide candidates with excellent performances in photovoltaic and catalytic fields.

Substitutional doping of MoTe2/ZrS2 heterostructures for sustainable energy related applications.

Stacking and/or substitutional doping are effective strategies to tune two-dimensional materials with desired properties, greatly extending the applications of the pristine materials. Here, by employing first-principles calculations, we propose that a pristine MoTe2/ZrS2 heterostructure is a distinguished lithium-ion battery anode material with a low Li diffusion barrier (∼0.26 eV), and it has a high maximum Li storage capacity (476.36 mA h g-1) and a relatively low open-circuit voltage (0.16 V) at Li4/MoTe2/Li/ZrS2/Li4. The other heterostructures with different types can be achieved by substitutional doping and their potential applications in sustainable energy related areas are further unraveled. For instance, a type-II TeMoSe/ZrS2 heterostructure could be a potential direct Z-scheme photocatalyst for water splitting with a high solar-to-hydrogen conversion efficiency of 17.62%. The TeMoSe/SZrO heterostructure is predicted to be a potential candidate for application in highly efficient solar cells. Its maximum power conversion efficiency can be as high as 19.21%, which is quite promising for commercial applications. The present results will shed light on the sustainable energy applications of pristine or doped MoTe2/ZrS2 heterostructures in the future.

Brain Dynamics Altered by Photic Stimulation in Patients with Alzheimer's Disease and Mild Cognitive Impairment.

Individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) are at high risk of developing Alzheimer's disease (AD). Repetitive photic stimulation (PS) is commonly used in routine electroencephalogram (EEG) examinations for rapid assessment of perceptual functioning. This study aimed to evaluate neural oscillatory responses and nonlinear brain dynamics under the effects of PS in patients with mild AD, moderate AD, severe AD, and MCI, as well as healthy elderly controls (HC). EEG power ratios during PS were estimated as an index of oscillatory responses. Multiscale sample entropy (MSE) was estimated as an index of brain dynamics before, during, and after PS. During PS, EEG harmonic responses were lower and MSE values were higher in the AD subgroups than in HC and MCI groups. PS-induced changes in EEG complexity were less pronounced in the AD subgroups than in HC and MCI groups. Brain dynamics revealed a "transitional change" between MCI and Mild AD. Our findings suggest a deficiency in brain adaptability in AD patients, which hinders their ability to adapt to repetitive perceptual stimulation. This study highlights the importance of combining spectral and nonlinear dynamical analysis when seeking to unravel perceptual functioning and brain adaptability in the various stages of neurodegenerative diseases.

Nomogram for predicting the overall survival and cancer-specific survival of patients with extremity liposarcoma: a population-based study.

BACKGROUND: Extremity liposarcoma represents 25% of extremity soft tissue sarcoma and has a better prognosis than liposarcoma occurring in other anatomic sites. The purpose of this study was to develop two nomograms for predicting the overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) of patients with extremity liposarcoma. METHODS: A total of 2170 patients diagnosed with primary extremity liposarcoma between 2004 and 2015 were extracted from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. Univariate and multivariate Cox analyses were performed to explore the independent prognostic factors and establish two nomograms. The area under the curve (AUC), C-index, calibration curve, decision curve analysis (DCA), Kaplan-Meier analysis, and subgroup analyses were used to evaluate the nomograms. RESULTS: Six variables were identified as independent prognostic factors for both OS and CSS. In the training cohort, the AUCs of the OS nomogram were 0.842, 0.841, and 0.823 for predicting 3-, 5-, and 8-year OS, respectively, while the AUCs of the CSS nomogram were 0.889, 0.884, and 0.859 for predicting 3-, 5-, and 8-year CSS, respectively. Calibration plots and DCA revealed that the nomogram had a satisfactory ability to predict OS and CSS. The above results were also observed in the validation cohort. In addition, the C-indices of both nomograms were significantly higher than those of all independent prognostic factors in both the training and validation cohorts. Stratification of the patients into high- and low-risk groups highlighted the differences in prognosis between the two groups in the training and validation cohorts. CONCLUSION: Age, sex, tumor size, grade, M stage, and surgery status were confirmed as independent prognostic variables for both OS and CSS in extremity liposarcoma patients. Two nomograms based on the above variables were established to provide more accurate individual survival predictions for extremity liposarcoma patients and to help physicians make appropriate clinical decisions.

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) inhibitor 4-IPP suppresses osteoclast formation and promotes osteoblast differentiation through the inhibition of the NF-κB signaling pathway.

Current pharmacological intervention for the treatment of osteolytic bone diseases such as osteoporosis focuses on the prevention of excessive osteoclastic bone resorption but does not enhance osteoblast-mediated bone formation. In our study, we have shown that 4-iodo-6-phenylpyrimidine (4-IPP), an irreversible inhibitor of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), can inhibit receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclastogenesis and potentiate osteoblast-mediated mineralization and bone nodule formation in vitro. Mechanistically, 4-IPP inhibited RANKL-induced p65 phosphorylation and nuclear translocation by preventing the interaction of MIF with thioredoxin-interacting protein-p65 complexes. This led to the suppression of late osteoclast marker genes such as nuclear factor of activated T cells cytoplasmic 1, resulting in impaired osteoclast formation. In contrast, 4-IPP potentiated osteoblast differentiation and mineralization also through the inhibition of the p65/NF-κB signaling cascade. In the murine model of pathologic osteolysis induced by titanium particles, 4-IPP protected against calvarial bone destruction. Similarly, in the murine model of ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis, 4-IPP treatment ameliorated the bone loss associated with estrogen deficiency by reducing osteoclastic activities and enhancing osteoblastic bone formation. Collectively, these findings provide evidence for the pharmacological targeting of MIF for the treatment of osteolytic bone disorders.-Zheng, L., Gao, J., Jin, K., Chen, Z., Yu, W., Zhu, K., Huang, W., Liu, F., Mei, L., Lou, C., He, D. Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) inhibitor 4-IPP suppresses osteoclast formation and promotes osteoblast differentiation through the inhibition of the NF-κB signaling pathway.

Enhanced carrier mobility and tunable electronic properties in α-tellurene monolayer via an α-tellurene and h-BN heterostructure.

Using first-principles calculations within density functional theory, we explore the electronic properties of the α-tellurene/h-BN (Te/BN) heterostructure. We find that the type-I van der Waals (vdW) Te/BN bilayer exhibits an indirect semiconductor property with a bandgap of 0.59 eV, in which both the valence band maximum and conduction band minimum originate from the tellurene monolayer. The very weak interaction between α-tellurene and h-BN monolayers is demonstrated by the small charge transfer between the interlayer. More strikingly, we find that the carrier mobilities in the Te/BN bilayer can reach up to 104 cm2 s-1 V-1, one order of magnitude larger than those in tellurene. The underlying physics is that the Te/BN bilayer dramatically increases the in-plane stiffness as well as reducing the deformation potential compared with the tellurene monolayer. Additionally, we also show that the electronic properties of the Te/BN bilayer can easily be tuned by introducing defects or dopants in the BN monolayer. For instance, the B vacancy makes the Te/BN bilayer undergo the transition from semiconductor to half-metal. Our findings will broaden the potential application of tellurene and provide theoretical guidance for the relative experimental studies on 2D heterobilayers.

Tunable defect modes of one-dimensional photonic crystals containing a Dirac semimetal-based metamaterial defect layer.

The transmission properties of one-dimensional photonic crystals (PCs) containing a metamaterial (MM) defect layer are investigated using the transfer matrix method. The MM is composed of alternating layers of a dielectric material and a Dirac semimetal (DS) material. Numerical results show that the defective PCs possess a tunable defect mode, which is significantly dependent on the Fermi level of the DS as well as the structural parameters of the MM defect layer. The defect mode properties under different incident angles for TE and TM polarizations are also studied. Such defective structures have potential applications in tunable filters and sensors in terahertz regions.

Circular RNA circNASP modulates the malignant behaviors in osteosarcoma via miR-1253/FOXF1 pathway.

Increasing evidences demonstrate that circular RNAs (circRNAs) serve as essential regulators in various human diseases, including cancer. However, the study on circRNA function in osteosarcoma (OS) is just emerging. In the present study, we screened out a novel circRNA termed circNASP which was significantly upregulated in OS tissues compared to adjacent normal tissues. We found that circNASP knockdown dramatically inhibited the proliferation, cell cycle progression and invasion of OS cells. Moreover, we showed that circNASP expression was positively correlated with tumor size and metastasis in OS patients. In terms of mechanism, we found that circNASP acts as a sponge of miR-1253 targeting FOXF1 in OS cells. By inhibiting miR-1253 availability, circNASP promoted FOXF1 expression. Rescue assays indicated that inhibition of miR-1253 could significantly reverse the effects of circNASP knockdown on OS cell proliferation and invasion while restoration of FOXF1 rescued the proliferation and invasion of OS cells transfected with miR-1253 mimics. Taken together, our findings demonstrated that circNASP contributes to malignant behaviors of OS cells by miR-1253/FOXF1 pathway, which suggested circNASP/miR-1253/FOXF1axis might be a potential therapeutic target.

Negative thermal expansion in 2H CuScO2 originating from the cooperation of transverse thermal vibrations of Cu and O atoms.

Negative thermal expansion (NTE) originating from the transverse thermal vibrations of metal atoms is seldom reported, which is why the transparent conducting oxide 2H CuScO2 is such a unique case. Using the density functional theory (DFT) and the quasi-harmonic approximation (QHA), the thermal properties of 2H CuScO2 were investigated. The coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) and the Grüneisen parameters of different vibrational modes were calculated, and we found that, up to a temperature of 200 K, 2H CuScO2 displays a strong NTE behavior along the c-axis (i.e. along the O-Cu-O linkage), with an average CTE of approximately -2 × 10-6 K-1. Our calculations are consistent with the experimental values. Furthermore, we reveal that low energy modes (0-150 cm-1) originating from the cooperation of transverse vibrations of Cu and O atoms, which result in larger negative Grüneisen parameters and vibrational frequency softening phenomenon under pressure, are the main reasons for the NTE of such materials with a 2H structure. Our findings not only provide a better understanding of the NTE mechanism, but also present a report on detailed abnormal thermal properties in 2H CuScO2 that have applications in electronic, electrochemical and optoelectronic devices.

Electronic and magnetic properties of SnSe monolayers doped by Ga, In, As, and Sb: a first-principles study.

A SnSe monolayer with an orthorhombic Pnma GeS structure is an important two-dimensional (2D) indirect band gap material at room temperature. Based on first-principles density functional theory calculations, we present systematic studies on the electronic and magnetic properties of X (X = Ga, In, As, Sb) atom doped SnSe monolayers. The calculated electronic structures show that the Ga-doped system maintains its semiconducting properties while the In-doped SnSe monolayer is half-metal. The As- and Sb-doped SnSe systems present the characteristics of an n-type semiconductor. Moreover, all considered substitutional doping cases induce magnetic ground states with a magnetic moment of ∼ 1 µB. In addition, the calculated formation energies also show that four types of doped systems are thermodynamically stable. These results provide a new route for the potential applications of doped SnSe monolayers in 2D photoelectronic and magnetic semiconductor devices.

Anomalous doping effect in black phosphorene using first-principles calculations.

Using first-principles density functional theory calculations, we investigate the geometries, electronic structures, and thermodynamic stabilities of substitutionally doped phosphorene sheets with group III, IV, V, and VI elements. We find that the electronic properties of phosphorene are drastically modified by the number of valence electrons in dopant atoms. The dopants with an even number of valence electrons enable the doped phosphorenes to have a metallic feature, while the dopants with an odd number of valence electrons retain a semiconducting feature. This even-odd oscillating behavior is attributed to the peculiar bonding characteristics of phosphorene and the strong hybridization of sp orbitals between dopants and phosphorene. Furthermore, the calculated formation energies of various substitutional dopants in phosphorene show that such doped systems can be thermodynamically stable. These results propose an intriguing route to tune the transport properties of electronic and photoelectronic devices based on phosphorene.

Trace metals and astrocytes physiology and pathophysiology.

Several trace metals, including iron, copper, manganese and zinc are essential for normal function of the nervous system. Both deficiency and excessive accumulation of these metals trigger neuropathological developments. The central nervous system (CNS) is in possession of dedicated homeostatic system that removes, accumulates, stores and releases these metals to fulfil nervous tissue demand. This system is mainly associated with astrocytes that act as dynamic reservoirs for trace metals, these being a part of a global system of CNS ionostasis. Here we overview physiological and pathophysiological aspects of astrocyte-cantered trace metals regulation.

Comparative analysis of machine learning algorithms for Alzheimer's disease classification using EEG signals and genetic information.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by cognitive decline, memory impairments, and behavioral changes. The presence of abnormal beta-amyloid plaques and tau protein tangles in the brain is known to be associated with AD. However, current limitations of imaging technology hinder the direct detection of these substances. Consequently, researchers are exploring alternative approaches, such as indirect assessments involving monitoring brain signals, cognitive decline levels, and blood biomarkers. Recent studies have highlighted the potential of integrating genetic information into these approaches to enhance early detection and diagnosis, offering a more comprehensive understanding of AD pathology beyond the constraints of existing imaging methods. Our study utilized electroencephalography (EEG) signals, genotypes, and polygenic risk scores (PRSs) as features for machine learning models. We compared the performance of gradient boosting (XGB), random forest (RF), and support vector machine (SVM) to determine the optimal model. Statistical analysis revealed significant correlations between EEG signals and clinical manifestations, demonstrating the ability to distinguish the complexity of AD from other diseases by using genetic information. By integrating EEG with genetic data in an SVM model, we achieved exceptional classification performance, with an accuracy of 0.920 and an area under the curve of 0.916. This study presents a novel approach of utilizing real-time EEG data and genetic background information for multimodal machine learning. The experimental results validate the effectiveness of this concept, providing deeper insights into the actual condition of patients with AD and overcoming the limitations associated with single-oriented data.

Major depressive disorder: hypothesis, mechanism, prevention and treatment.

Worldwide, the incidence of major depressive disorder (MDD) is increasing annually, resulting in greater economic and social burdens. Moreover, the pathological mechanisms of MDD and the mechanisms underlying the effects of pharmacological treatments for MDD are complex and unclear, and additional diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for MDD still are needed. The currently widely accepted theories of MDD pathogenesis include the neurotransmitter and receptor hypothesis, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis hypothesis, cytokine hypothesis, neuroplasticity hypothesis and systemic influence hypothesis, but these hypothesis cannot completely explain the pathological mechanism of MDD. Even it is still hard to adopt only one hypothesis to completely reveal the pathogenesis of MDD, thus in recent years, great progress has been made in elucidating the roles of multiple organ interactions in the pathogenesis MDD and identifying novel therapeutic approaches and multitarget modulatory strategies, further revealing the disease features of MDD. Furthermore, some newly discovered potential pharmacological targets and newly studied antidepressants have attracted widespread attention, some reagents have even been approved for clinical treatment and some novel therapeutic methods such as phototherapy and acupuncture have been discovered to have effective improvement for the depressive symptoms. In this work, we comprehensively summarize the latest research on the pathogenesis and diagnosis of MDD, preventive approaches and therapeutic medicines, as well as the related clinical trials.

Internal fixation with percutaneous kyphoplasty compared with simple percutaneous kyphoplasty for thoracolumbar burst fractures in elderly patients: a prospective randomized controlled trial.

PURPOSE: The impact of percutaneous internal fixation as a supplement to percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) for the management of thoracolumbar burst fractures in elderly patients is unclear. We conducted a clinical controlled trial to investigate the effect and outcomes of this technique in such patients. METHODS: Forty-three patients over 65 years old with thoracolumbar burst fractures without nerve injuries were enrolled. They were randomly assigned to treatment with simple PKP (control group, n = 22) or percutaneous short-segment pedicle screw internal fixation with PKP (treatment group, n = 21). The patients were followed for at least 2 years postoperatively and were assessed with regard to clinical and radiological outcomes. Clinical outcomes were evaluated mainly with use of visual analog scale (VAS) for pain and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) questionnaire. Radiological outcomes were assessed mainly on the basis of Cobb kyphosis angle and loss of kyphosis correction. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the two groups with regard to preoperative indices. The treatment group had better VAS scores and greater postoperative improvement on the ODI compared with the control group (P < 0.05). Postoperative kyphosis angle correction in the treatment group was superior to that in the control group, and loss of correction postoperatively was significantly less (P < 0.05). In the control group, two patients suffered refractures of the injured vertebra postoperatively and one had a fracture in the adjacent vertebra. No postoperative complications needing management were noted in either group. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with simple PKP, percutaneous internal fixation with PKP is a valuable surgical option for the treatment of selected elderly patients with thoracolumbar burst fractures.

A new strategy for browning regulation: Flos Sophorae Immaturus extract and thermal treatment modulates nitric oxide and reactive oxygen species network in fresh-cut potatoes.

Browning discoloration is a critical issue that negatively affects the quality of fresh-cut products and their industrial growth. Although many individual anti-browning technologies have been adopted, very few reports on the combination use of natural product extracts and physical methods exist. This study investigated the use of Flos Sophorae Immaturus extract in conjunction with thermal treatment and discovered that the combination effectively retarded browning in fresh-cut potatoes. Accordingly, the activities of polyphenol oxidase, peroxidase, and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, as well as phenol accumulation, were effectively regulated. Meanwhile, this combination treatment also allowed for the modulation of nitric oxide synthase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase activities, while also regulating the concentrations of nitric oxide, superoxide anion, and hydrogen peroxide. Furthermore, the duplex treatment also regulated the antioxidant capacity and malondialdehyde concentrations. In addition, 39 phytoactive compounds, including protocatechuic acid, quercetin, (-)-alpha-pinene, and matrine, were identified in the extract, which may function as the anti-browning composition. These findings suggest that the combination technology modulated the dynamic equilibrium of production and clearance of nitric oxide and reactive oxygen species, thereby reducing browning deterioration. This is, to our knowledge, the first report of the combined application of Flos Sophorae Immaturus and thermal treatment, which may offer a novel option for fresh-cut preservation. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: The feasibility of integrating a novel highly efficient, safe, environmentally friendly, and easy-to-operate anti-browning alternative, with the ability to integrate into the existing processing line was investigated. The color of sliced potato chips was significantly improved (73.4%) by dipping them in a 0.01% Flos Sophorae Immaturus solution for 5 min and then in 55°C water for 2 min. In this regard, superior browning alleviation may depend on the regulation of the browning reaction and the NO-ROS network. This method has a promising future for making fresh-cut products more appealing to consumers and may provide guidance for fresh-cut producers and related industries.

[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.

Comparison of mini-open, anteroinferior psoas approach and mini-open, direct lateral transpsoas approach for lumbar burst fractures: A retrospective cohort study.

Objective: We evaluated the effect of a novel modified OLIF technique (anteroinferior psoas approach, AIPA) for anterior decompression reconstruction in lumbar burst fractures, and compared the clinical, radiological outcomes and approach-related complications with the mini-open, lateral transpsoas approach (LTPA). Methods: From March 2016 to November 2019, 68 patients with lumbar burst fractures underwent one-stage monosegmental posterior/anterior surgery from L1-L4 segments. 35 patients included in AIPA and 33 patients in LTPA group underwent anterior decompression reconstruction. The clinical, radiological and functional evaluation outcomes were recorded during the 16-60 months follow-up period. Results: At the latest follow up, neurological state of one or more ASIA grades were achieved in AIPA (90.9%) and LTPA group (94.9%). No significant differences were noted between the two groups regarding preoperative and postoperative Cobbs angle. The surgery time (192.29 vs. 230.47 min, P = 0.02) in AIPA group was better compared with LTPA. The AIPA showed better improvement on Oswestry Disability Index (43.4% vs. 60.8%, P < 0.05) and Mental Component Score (49.0% vs. 43.7%, P < 0.05) one month after surgery, but no difference at the latest follow-up. 10 patients (9 in LTPA and 1 in AIPA) experienced temporary motor deficits in hip flexor and groin or thigh numbness, which disappeared six months after surgery. Conclusions: Compared with lateral transpsoas approach, anterior decompression reconstruction via mini-open, anteroinferior psoas approach was a safe and less invasive approach, with fewer approach-related complications in the treatment for unstable lumbar burst fractures.

Comparison of Intravertebral Clefts between Kümmell Disease and Acute Osteoporotic Vertebral Compression Fracture: A Radiological Study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the radiological features of intravertebral clefts (IVC) between Kümmell disease (KD) and acute osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (OVCF). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective study. A total of 79 patients with IVC from January 2014 to December 2018 were included in this study. There were 22 men and 57 women, with an average of 73.5 years. Based on the exact time interval from injury to treatment and the pathological examination results, the patients were divided into KD group (44 patients) and acute OVCF group (35 patients). The two groups were compared by the margin sclerosis of IVC, vertebra and pedicle ossification, stress fracture of the spinous process, paravertebral callus, the shape of IVC, cleft in the adjacent disc, and flatness of IVC's margin from plain radiographs and computed tomography (CT). The two groups were compared by the IVC content, double-line sign, and signal of fracture vertebral from their magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). RESULTS: There were no significant differences in sex, age, and fracture distribution between the KD group and the acute OVCF group. IVC was present in both the KD group and the acute OVCF group. Six radiological features were only present in the KD group, including sclerosis of the cleft margin (95.5%, 42/44), ossification of the fractured vertebrae (100%, 44/44), ossification of the pedicle (31.8%, 14/44), double-line sign (27.3%, 12/44), stress fracture of the spinous process (13.6%, 6/44), and even formation of paravertebral callus (18.2%, 8/44). Although there were statistical differences in the other four radiological features of content of IVC (P = 0.02), cleft sign in adjacent intervertebral disc (P < 0.01), margin of IVC (P = 0.02), and the shape of IVC (P = 0.01) between the KD group and acute OVCF group, these characteristics could be found in both groups. CONCLUSION: IVC could present in patients with both KD and acute OVCF; however, we found that marginal cleft sclerosis, vertebral and pedicle ossification, double-line sign, spinous process fracture, and formation of paravertebral callus are unique radiological features of KD and could be used for differentiation of KD from acute OVCF with IVC.

Effect of TIMP2/TIMP3 genes on the risk of osteosarcoma in Zhejiang population.

ABSTRACT: Osteosarcoma is a malignant tumor that develops from a mesenchymal cell line and is caused by gene-environment interactions. This study aimed to explore whether TIMP2/TIMP3 polymorphisms influenced the osteosarcoma risk.The expression of the TIMP2 and TIMP3 genes in osteosarcoma histiocytes was analyzed by immunohistochemistry. In this case-control study, which includes samples from 499 patients and 500 healthy controls, 10 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in TIMP2 and TIMP3 were selected. Furthermore, we used the Agena MassARRAY platform for genotyping. The statistical analysis was performed using χ2 test/Fisher exact test, and logistic regression analysis.The immunohistochemistry results showed that the expression of TIMP2 is obvious higher in osteosarcoma histiocytes than in the normal histiocytes. The association study indicated that the allele of rs2277698 and rs4789936 were protective SNPs reducing the risk of osteosarcoma (odds ratios  > 1, P < .05) by the χ2 test. In the genetic model, logistic regression analyses revealed that the rs2277698 and rs4789936 were associated with decreasing the risk of osteosarcoma under the codominant model, dominant model, and log-additive model. Stratification analysis revealed that 2 SNPs (rs2277698 and rs4789936) were significantly associated with a reduced risk of osteosarcoma in allele and genetic model after stratification by gender or age (P < .05). In addition, the haplotype "Trs2277698Crs2009169Crs7342880" of TIMP2 was associated with decreasing the osteosarcoma risk. The "Ars9609634Trs11547635" of TIMP3 was associated with reducing the osteosarcoma risk.This finding shed new light on the high expression of TIMP2 polymorphisms may contribute to decreasing the osteosarcoma risk in Zhejiang populations.