[Surgical management of gastric cancer in the era of immunotherapy].

With the widespread application of immune checkpoint inhibitors, chemotherapy combined with immunotherapy has shown promising efficacy in the treatment of various cancers. Especially gastric cancer, this strategy is gradually expanding from first-line treatment in advanced stages to perioperative management. Compared to neoadjuvant chemotherapy alone, the combined approach not only improves pathological regression but also leads to better downstaging, which is particularly significant in gastric cancer subsets that are HER2-positive, mismatch repair deficient, PD-L1 combined positive score ≥5, or EB virus-positive. This combined treatment has made it possible to reduce the extent of gastrectomy, perform function-preserving surgeries, or even consider non-surgical strategies. Currently, exploring the optimal protocols for combining immune checkpoint inhibitors with chemotherapy, identifying potential indications for function-preserving surgery, improving surgical methods, and developing non-surgical strategies represent key issues in the surgical management of gastric cancer in the era of immunotherapy.

[Exploring the mechanism of liver enzyme abnormalities in patients with novel coronavirus-infected pneumonia].

Objective: To explore and analyze the possible mechanism of liver injury in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (novel coronavirus pneumonia, NCP). Methods: The correlation between ALT, AST and other liver enzyme changes condition and NCP patients' disease status reported in the literature was comprehensively analyzed. ACE2 expression in liver tissue for novel coronavirus was analyzed based on single cell sequencing (GSE115469) data. RNA-Seq method was used to analyze Ace2 expression and transcription factors related to its expression in liver tissues at various time-points after hepatectomy in mouse model of acute liver injury with partial hepatectomy. t-test or Spearman rank correlation analysis was used for statistical analysis. Results: ALT and AST were abnormally elevated in some patients with novel coronavirus infection, and the rate and extent of ALT and AST elevation in severe NCP patients were higher than those in non-severe patients. Liver tissue results of single cell sequencing and immunohistochemistry showed that ACE2 was only expressed in bile duct epithelial cells of normal liver tissues, and very low in hepatocytes. In a mouse model of acute liver injury with partial hepatectomy, Ace2 expression was down-regulated on the first day, but it was elevated up to twice of the normal level on the third day, and returned to normal level on seventh day when the liver recovered and hepatocyte proliferation stopped. Whether this phenomenon suggests that the bile duct epithelial cells with positive expression of Ace2 participate in the process of liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy deserves further study. In RNA-Seq data, 77 transcription factors were positively correlated with the expression of Ace2 (r > 0.2, FDR < 0.05), which were mainly enriched in the development, differentiation, morphogenesis and cell proliferation of glandular epithelial cells. Conclusion: We assumed that in addition to the over activated inflammatory response in patients with NCP, the up-regulation of ACE2 expression in liver tissue caused by compensatory proliferation of hepatocytes derived from bile duct epithelial cells may also be the possible mechanism of liver tissue injury caused by 2019 novel coronavirus infection.

[Expression and clinical significance of chemokine CXCL10 and its receptor CXCR3 in hepatocellular carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the expression and clinical significance of chemokine CXCL10 and CXCR3 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: The expression and prognostic of CXCL10 and CXCR3 in HCC tumor tissues and non-tumor tissues were analyzed in two different publicly available databases the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Liver Cancer Institute (LCI). In addition, quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) was used to detect the mRNA expression of CXCL10 and CXCR3 in 45 HCC clinical samples with HBV infection background. Pearson correlation and Spearman rank correlation were used to determine the correlation between the expression level of CXCL10 and CXCR3 in tumor and non-tumor tissues. RESULTS: In TCGA database, the expression of CXCL10 in HCC tumor tissues was significantly higher than that in non-tumor tissues (nonpaired samples: 3.379±2.081 vs. 2.213±2.274, P<0.001; paired samples: 3.159±2.267 vs. 2.213±2.274, P=0.018). Similarly in LCI datebase (7.625±1.683 vs. 7.287±1.328, P=0.009). And higher CXCL10 expression was significantly associated with a better prognosis in the patients with HCC both in TCGA and LCI database (P=0.107, P=0.002). In TCGA database, the expression of CXCR3 in HCC tumor tissues was significantly higher than that in non-tumor tissues (nonpaired samples: -0.906±1.697 vs. -1.978±1.629, P<0.001; paired samples: -1.329±1.732 vs. -1.978±1.629, P=0.037), while lower in LCI database (3.989±0.339 vs. 4.074±0.309, P=0.003). In both databases, higher CXCR3 expression was significantly associated with a better prognosis in the HCC patients (P=0.004, P=0.014). Furthermore, in TCGA database, the expression level of CXCL10 and CXCR3 was positively correlated both in HCC tumor tissues and matched non-tumor tissues (r=0.584, P<0.001; r=0.776, P<0.001). The qPCR assay showed that the expression of CXCL10 in HBV-related HCC tumor tissues was significantly higher than those in normal liver tissues [0.479(0.223, 1.094) vs. 0.131(0.106, 0.159), P=0.010], and the expression in HBV-related non-tumor tissues was also significantly higher than those in normal liver tissues [0.484(0.241, 0.846) vs. 0.131(0.106, 0.159), P<0.001]. The same was true as CXCR3 [0.011(0.006, 0.019) vs. 0.002(0.001, 0.004), P=0.004; 0.016(0.011, 0.021) vs. 0.002(0.001, 0.004), P<0.001]. However there was no significant difference of CXCL10 and CXCR3 between tumor tissues and matched non-tumor tissues (P=1.000, P=0.374). CONCLUSION: Expression of CXCL10 was up-regulated in HCC tissues, expression of CXCR3 was down-regulated in HBV-related HCC tissues, and the higher expression of both genes was correlated with better overall survival in HCC patients.

Second-harmonic imaging microscopy for identifying colorectal intraepithelial neoplasia.

In this study, second-harmonic imaging microscopy was used to monitor precancerous colorectal lesions at different stages. It was found that the morphology of glands and lamina propria in mucosa changes with the progression of colorectal diseases from normal to low-grade intraepithelial neoplasia to high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia and this microscopy has the ability of direct visualization of these warning symptoms. Furthermore, two morphologic variables were quantified to determine the changes of glands and collagen in lamina propria during the development of colorectal intraepithelial neoplasia. These results suggest that second-harmonic imaging microscopy has the potential in label-freely and effectively distinguishing between normal and precancerous colorectal tissues, and will be helpful for early diagnosis and treatment of colorectal diseases.

[Prognostic significance of albumin/globulin ratio on postoperative survival of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma].

Objective: To investigate the prognostic value of albumin/globulin ratio on postoperative survival outcomes in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Methods: Data of 630 patients with HCC, who underwent surgical resection from February 2009 to July 2013, were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into low-value group (A/G < 1.5, defined as L group) and high-value group (A/G≥1.5, defined as H group), and their distribution characteristics were observed with the normal A/G threshold value. Independent risk factors' affecting survival and prognosis was analyzed with univariate and multivariate Cox's regression model. Survival trend of all patients with low-value and high-value groups in A, B and C of Barcelona stage (BCLC stage) were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method. Results: Multivariate analysis showed that preoperative A/G ratio (P = 0.007), alpha-fetoprotein (P < 0.001), gamma-glutamyltransferase (P = 0.006), RBC (P = 0.014), international normalized ratio (P = 0.009), preoperative BCLC staging (P < 0.001) and number of tumors (P = 0.003), and intraoperative blood transfusion (P < 0.001) were independent prognostic factors affecting long-term survival in HCC patients. The median overall survival time in-group L was 15 months, significantly lower than that in group H of 42 months (P < 0.001). Stratified analysis showed that the short-term survival advantage of patients with high A / G value was limited to those with Barcelona stage A (P < 0.001), and disappeared in patients with Barcelona stage B and C (P > 0.05). The long-term survival advantage existed in patients with Barcelona stage A (P < 0.001), B (P < 0.05), and disappeared in C (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Preoperative albumin/globulin ratio can predict postoperative prognosis and survival, and direct towards the treatment for early stage of HCC and thus representing as an indicator of high clinical value.

The parthenogenetic development of porcine in vitro matured oocytes vitrified before or after electric activation.

　　BACKGROUND: The highly efficient production of parthenogenetic embryos from vitrified porcine in vitro matured oocytes has become essential for biotechnology and biomedicine research. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the survival and parthenogenetic development of oocytes vitrified before or after electric activation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The vitrified oocytes were parthenogenetically activated at 0, 0.5, 1, 2 and 4 h post warming (h.p.w.), and fresh oocytes were vitrified at 0, 0.5, 1, 2 and 4 h post electric activation (h.p.a.). RESULTS: In comparison with non-vitrified oocytes, the rates of survival and activation of oocytes vitrified at 0.5, 1, 2 and 4 h.p.a. were similar, but the parameters in other vitrified groups significantly decreased. Parthenogenetic development in vitrified 0.5, 1, 2 and 4 h.p.a. groups was also significantly higher than that in other vitrified groups. Moreover, the total cell numbers of blastocysts were similar among all groups. CONCLUSION: Porcine oocytes vitrified at 0.5-4 h h.p.a. showed acceptable survival and pronuclear formation, and a higher blastocyst yield could be obtained from these oocytes.

Progress on Post Traumatic Epilepsy and Its Forensic Evaluation.

Post traumatic epilepsy （PTE） refers to the epileptic seizures after traumatic brain injury. Organic damage can be found by imaging examination, and abnormal electroencephalogram can be detected via electroencephalogram examination which has the similar location of the brain injury. PTE has the characteristics of low incidence, absence of case reports, and easy to exaggerate the state of illness, which add difficulties to the forensic identification. This paper reviews the status of epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical treatment and forensic identification for PTE.

L-Carnitine inhibits eryptosis induced by uremic serum and the related mechanisms.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether L-carnitine (LC) inhibits eryptosis induced by uremic serum and the related mechanism. METHODS: One percent erythrocyte suspension was cultured by three kinds of mediums in vitro, which was included in the control group (Group C, phosphate buffered saline [PBS]), the uremic serum group (Group U, 30% uremic serum + 70% PBS) and the LC group (Group L, 30% uremic serum + 70% PBS + 200 umol/L LC), respectively. Erythrocytes were collected at 24 and 48 h, respectively. Phosphatidylserine (PS) was estimated from Annexin-V-binding and reactive oxygen species (ROS) by flow cytometry, glutathione (GSH) was estimated from Enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) by Microplate reader. RESULTS: Eryptosis in Group C increased as the incubating time extended (3.43 ± 0.37 at 24 h, 4.21 ± 0.44 at 48 h). Eryptosis increased in Group U compared with Group C (6.5 1 ± 0.71 at 24 h, p < 0.01; 8.55 ± 0.76 at 48 h, p < 0.01), while decreased in Group L compared with Group U (5.80 ± 0.69 at 24 h, p < 0.05; 7.87 ± 0.76 at 48 h, p < 0.05). Meanwhile, ROS of erythrocytes increased in Group U compared with Group C (33.12 ± 1.61 versus 14.83 ± 2.22 at 24 h, p < 0.01; 42.06 ± 1.81 versus 20.94 ± 1.78 at 48 h, p < 0.01), and GSH decreased in Group U compared with Group C (25.66 ± 0.32 versus 31.27 ± 0.38 at 24 h, p < 0.01; 8.53 ± 0.59 versus 17.29 ± 0.54 at 48 h, p < 0.01). ROS of erythrocytes decreased in Group L compared with Group C (26.29 ± 1.69 at 24 h, p < 0.01; 36.21 ± 2.00 at 48 h, p < 0.01). GSH increased in Group L compared with Group U (27.54 ± 0.60 at 24 h, p < 0.01; 15.18 ± 0.42 at 48 h, p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: LC inhibits eryptosis induced by uremic serum, which possibly relates to oxidative stress in part.

A sero-epidemiological survey of Chinese Babesia motasi for small ruminants in China.

Babesia motasi BQ1 (Lintan) was first isolated from Haemaphysalis qinghaiensis collected in Gannan Tibet Autonomous Region, Gansu province in April 2000. In this study, a total of 3,204 serum samples from small ruminants in 22 provinces located in different districts of China were tested for antibodies against merozoite antigens from cultured B. motasi BQ1 (Lintan) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. This method can survey the prevalence of low-pathogenic Chinese B. motasi. The results of this survey indicated that the average positive rate was 43.5 %, and the positive rates of investigated provinces were significantly different from 6.1 to 91.0 %, and the infections had been found in all provinces investigated. Our data provide large important information regarding the current sero-prevalence of B. motasi in China.

Comparison of PFNA and DHS in the treatment of sarcopenia with Seinsheimer type V subtrochanteric fracture.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed at comparing the curative effect of proximal femoral nail antirotation (PFNA) and dynamic hip screw (DHS) in the treatment of Seinsheimer type V (type V) subtrochanteric fractures with sarcopenia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on 59 patients with type V subtrochanteric fractures complicated with sarcopenia admitted to the Department of Orthopedics of the affiliated Jiangning Hospital with Nanjing Medical University from January 2016 to December 2021. Sarcopenia was diagnosed based on grip strength and skeletal muscle index (SMI). According to different surgical methods, they were divided into PFNA group (32 cases) and DHS group (27 cases). The age, gender, time from injury to operation, SMI value, incision length, operation time, intraoperative blood loss, fluoroscopy times, perioperative blood transfusion, lower limb full weight-bearing time, visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain at 3 months after operation and at the last follow-up, Harris score as well as postoperative complications were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in age, gender, time from injury to operation, and SMI between the two groups. The length of surgical incision, blood loss and blood transfusion in the PFNA group were less than those in the DHS group; however, the number of intraoperative fluoroscopies was more than that in the DHS group. The PFNA group had earlier full weight-bearing time, lower VAS score and higher Harris score at 3 months after operation, while there was no statistically significant difference in VAS score and Harris score between the two groups at the last follow-up. The incidence of complications in the PFNA group was lower than that in the DHS group, and the difference was statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Both PFNA and DHS are effective methods for the treatment of type V subtrochanteric fractures complicated with sarcopenia. Strikingly, PFNA is preferred because of its short surgical incision, less blood loss, faster recovery, and lower incidence of complications.

Noncontact all-optical measurement of corneal elasticity.

We report on a noninvasive and noncontact all-optical method to measure the elasticity of the cornea. We use a pulsed laser to excite surface acoustic waves (SAW) that propagate on the corneal surface, then use a phase-sensitive optical coherence tomography system to remotely record the SAWs from which the corneal elasticity is estimated. In addition, the system is able to provide real-time tomographic images of the cornea being examined, an important consideration for clinical studies. While precisely maintaining a range of intraocular pressures (IOP), a series of measurements is performed on ex vivo intact primate eyes. The measurement results not only demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed system to remotely measure the corneal elasticity, but also suggest a strong correlation between the corneal stiffness and the true IOP.

Simultaneous detection of piroplasma infections in field Haemaphysalis qinghaiensis ticks by reverse line blotting.

Piroplasmosis is caused by tick-borne haemoprotozoan parasites in the genera of Theileria and Babesia, in which numbers of agents are highly pathogenic for cattle, sheep and goats. We developed a reverse line blot (RLB) assay for detection and differentiation of four different parasites, in which 18S ribosomal RNA gene sequence was amplified with a set of universal primers specific for all members in the genera of Theileria and Babesia; and the probes were designed on the basis of hypervariable region 4 (V4 region) of 18S rRNA gene. Three Theileria and one Babesia can be detected simultaneously on this system and it was sensitive to detect a parasitemia level between 10(-5) and 10(-8)%. A total of 149 Haemaphysalis qinghaiensis ticks collected from Lintan County of Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Region was tested by RLB. Among these, 136 tick samples were also tested by a nested PCR assay developed previously. After comparison of these results, it showed that more T. luwenshuni was detected in RLB assay, while more T. uilenbergi was detected in H. qinghaiensis ticks by nested PCR. The RLB has shown capability for simultaneous detection of four species of piroplasm in H. qinghaiensis ticks, indicating its usefulness for epidemiological studies of piroplasmosis.

Relationship between mandibular symphysis dimensions and skeletal pattern in adults.

BACKGROUND: The knowledge of dimensions of the symphysis is important for morphological and orthodontic studies. This research evaluates the association between mandibular symphysis dimensions and anteroposterior and vertical skeletal patterns in adults. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional cephalometric study included 90 lateral cephalograms of untreated subjects presenting for orthodontic treatment. The inclusion criteria were adults with lateral cephalograms showing the symphyseal region and anterior cranial base. One investigator traced and analysed all cephalograms. Symphyseal height, thickness, and ratio between height and thickness were measured in relation to seven anteroposterior and vertical skeletal measurements in females and males. RESULTS: Symphyseal measurements were associated with SNAo (anteroposterior) in females and Gonial angle (vertical) in males. When analysed by anteroposterior skeletal classification (ANBo), no significant differences in symphyseal dimensions were found. Multiple linear regression analyses showed that Gonion-Nerve (mm) and Gonial angle were significantly associated with symphyseal height. Gonion-Nerve (mm), basal bone width (mm), and alveolar bone height (mm) were associated with symphyseal thickness. Basal bone width (mm) and alveolar bone height (mm) were associated with symphyseal ratio. CONCLUSIONS: Symphyseal dimensions were significantly associated with vertical but not anteroposterior skeletal patterns. Future studies are warranted to evaluate the Gonion-Nerve measurements concerning the symphysis in relation to vertical and anteroposterior skeletal patterns.

[Mid-term efficacy of China Net Childhood Lymphoma-mature B-cell lymphoma 2017 regimen in the treatment of pediatric Burkitt lymphoma].

Objective: To analyze the clinical characteristics of children with Burkitt lymphoma (BL) and to summarize the mid-term efficacy of China Net Childhood Lymphoma-mature B-cell lymphoma 2017 (CNCL-B-NHL-2017) regimen. Methods: Clinical features of 436 BL patients who were ≤18 years old and treated with the CNCL-B-NHL-2017 regimen from May 2017 to April 2021 were analyzed retrospectively. Clinical characteristics of patients at disease onset were analyzed and the therapeutic effects of patients with different clinical stages and risk groups were compared. Survival analysis was performed by Kaplan-Meier method, and Cox regression was used to identify the prognostic factors. Results: Among 436 patients, there were 368 (84.4%) males and 68 (15.6%) females, the age of disease onset was 6.0 (4.0, 9.0) years old. According to the St. Jude staging system, there were 4 patients (0.9%) with stage Ⅰ, 30 patients (6.9%) with stage Ⅱ, 217 patients (49.8%) with stage Ⅲ, and 185 patients (42.4%) with stage Ⅳ. All patients were stratified into following risk groups: group A (n=1, 0.2%), group B1 (n=46, 10.6%), group B2 (n=19, 4.4%), group C1 (n=285, 65.4%), group C2 (n=85, 19.5%). Sixty-three patients (14.4%) were treated with chemotherapy only and 373 patients (85.6%) were treated with chemotherapy combined with rituximab. Twenty-one patients (4.8%) suffered from progressive disease, 3 patients (0.7%) relapsed, and 13 patients (3.0%) died of treatment-related complications. The follow-up time of all patients was 24.0 (13.0, 35.0) months, the 2-year event free survival (EFS) rate of all patients was (90.9±1.4) %. The 2-year EFS rates of group A, B1, B2, C1 and C2 were 100.0%, 100.0%, (94.7±5.1) %, (90.7±1.7) % and (85.9±4.0) %, respectively. The 2-year EFS rates was higher in group A, B1, and B2 than those in group C1 (χ2=4.16, P=0.041) and group C2 (χ2=7.21, P=0.007). The 2-year EFS rates of the patients treated with chemotherapy alone and those treated with chemotherapy combined with rituximab were (79.3±5.1)% and (92.9±1.4)% (χ2=14.23, P<0.001) respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that stage Ⅳ (including leukemia stage), serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)>4-fold normal value, and with residual tumor in the mid-term evaluation were risk factors for poor prognosis (HR=1.38,1.23,8.52,95%CI 1.05-1.82,1.05-1.43,3.96-18.30). Conclusions: The CNCL-B-NHL-2017 regimen show significant effect in the treatment of pediatric BL. The combination of rituximab improve the efficacy further.

Course of infection by Babesia sp. BQ1 (Lintan) and B. divergens in sheep depends on the production of IFNgamma and IL10.

Ovine babesiosis is an important disease in China and responsible for economic losses. Several Babesia strains are involved, but Babesia sp. BQ1 (Lintan) and Babesia sp. BQ1 (Ningxian) are particularly prevalent in the Guansu region. Babesia divergens, in contrast, can experimentally infect spleen-intact sheep, but does not induce clinical signs. The immune response of spleen-intact sheep to Babesia sp. BQ1 (Lintan) and to B. divergens was therefore compared to identify the immune mechanisms involved in pathogenicity. The greater pathogenicity of Babesia sp. BQ1 (Lintan) than that of B. divergens was confirmed: sheep infected with Babesia sp. BQ1 (Lintan), but not with B. divergens, developed hyperthermia and showed patent parasitaemia in Giemsa-stained blood smears from the ear vein. Furthermore, more parasites were also detected in the blood from the jugular vein of Babesia sp. BQ1 (Lintan)-infected sheep. Pathogenicity of Babesia spp. involved cellular responses, but not humoral responses. Interferon-gamma was produced only by specifically activated PBMC from B. divergens-infected sheep and interleukin-10 only by specifically activated PBMC from Babesia sp. BQ1 (Lintan)-infected sheep. The role of these cytokines in the course of infection by Babesia spp. is discussed.

Merozoite proteins from Babesia sp. BQ1 (Lintan) as potential antigens for serodiagnosis by ELISA.

Babesia sp. BQ1 (Lintan) is a Babesia isolated from sheep infested with Haemaphysalis qinghaiensis in China, and is closely related to B. motasi based on the 18S rRNA gene sequence. In the present study, an ELISA was developed with merozoite antigens of Babesia sp. BQ1 (Lintan) (BQMA) purified from in vitro culture. When the positive threshold was chosen as 30% of the antibodies rate, evaluated with 198 negative sera, the specificity was 95.5%. Except for Babesia sp. Tianzhu, there was no cross-reaction between BQMA and positive sera from Babesia sp. BQ1 (Ningxian)-, Babesia sp. Hebei-, Babesia sp. Xinjiang-, Theileria luwenshuni-, T. uilenbergi-, or Anaplasma ovis-infected sheep, which are the dominant haemoparasites of small ruminants in China. Specific antibodies against Babesia sp. BQ1 (Lintan) were produced 1 or 2 weeks post-infection and a high level of antibodies persisted for more than 8 months in experimentally infected sheep. This ELISA was tested on 974 sera collected from field-grazing sheep in 3 counties of Gansu province, northwestern China to evaluate the seroprevalence of Babesia sp. BQ1 (Lintan) infection and the average positive rate was 66.84%. The feasibility of increasing the specificity of this BQMA-based ELISA, by using some BQMA antigens for serodiagnosis is discussed.

[Application of diffusion weighted imaging in accurate diagnosis of middle ear cholesteatoma].

Objective: To evaluate the accuracy of diffusion weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI-MRI) combined with high resolution temporal bone CT (HRCT) in the location diagnosis of middle ear cholesteatoma and its value in the postoperative follow-up. Methods: 134 patients with inital cholesteatoma and 22 patients with suspected recurrent cholesteatoma were selected for HRCT, conventional MRI and DWI examination. Based on the intraoperative and pathological diagnosis, DWI and HRCT images were combined to evaluate the consistency between the lesion location and invasion area of the initial cholesteatoma and intraoperative lesions. The results of HRCT and DWI in the diagnosis of recurrent middle ear cholesteatoma were statistically analyzed to evaluate their diagnostic efficacy. Results: The accuracy rate of DWI combined with HRCT was 90.3%.The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of HRCT and DWI in the diagnosis of recurrent middle ear cholesteatoma were 27.8%, 75.0%, 83.3%, 18.8% and 100%, 75.0%, 94.7% and 100%, respectively, and the Kappa values consistent with the pathological results were 0.024 and 0.843, respectively. Chi-square test confirmed that there were differences in the diagnosis between groups (P<0.001). Conclusions: Combined with the high sensitivity of DWI and the high resolution of HRCT, the accuracy of preoperative positioning of the newly diagnosed cholesteatoma can be improved and surgery strategy can be guided. DWI is also of high diagnostic value for recurrent cholesteatoma in the middle ear.

Curcumin attenuates palmitic acid-induced cell apoptosis by inhibiting endoplasmic reticulum stress in H9C2 cardiomyocytes.

Diabetic cardiomyopathy is mediated by multiple molecular mechanisms including endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. Curcumin, a phenolic compound, has cytoprotective properties, but its potential protective action against diabetic cardiomyopathy and the related molecular mechanisms are not fully elucidated. In this study, we evaluated the effects of curcumin on cell viability and apoptosis in palmitic acid (PA)-treated H9C2 cardiomyocytes and investigated the signaling pathways involved. Treatment with PA reduced cell viability, induced apoptosis, enhanced apoptosis-related protein expression (Caspase 3 and BCL-2 associated X protein (BAX)), and activated ER stress marker protein expression (glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78) and CCAAT/enhancer binding protein homologous protein (CHOP)). Curcumin attenuated PA-induced reduction in cell viability and activation of apoptosis, Caspase 3 activity, BAX, CHOP, and GRP78 expression. 4-Phenylbutyric acid (4-PBA) attenuated the PA-induced effects on cell viability and apoptosis, similar to curcumin. Both curcumin and 4-PBA also attenuated PA-induced increase in ER stress protein (CHOP and GRP78) expression. Curcumin also protected against cytotoxicity, apoptosis, and ER stress induced by thapsigargin. These findings indicate that PA triggers apoptosis in H9C2 cells via ER stress pathways and curcumin protects against this phenomenon.

A novel ribonuclease with antiproliferative activity from fresh fruiting bodies of the edible mushroom Hypsizigus marmoreus.

An 18-kDa ribonuclease (RNase) with a novel N-terminal sequence was purified from fresh fruiting bodies of the mushroom Hypsizigus marmoreus. The purification protocol comprised ion exchange chromatography on DEAE cellulose, affinity chromatography on Affi-gel blue gel, ion exchange chromatography on CM-cellulose and Q-Sepharose and gel filtration by fast protein liquid chromatography on Superdex 75. The starting buffer was 10 mM Tris-HCl buffer (pH 7.2), 10 mM Tris-HCl buffer (pH 7.2), 10 mM NH(4)OAc buffer (pH 5), 10 mM NH(4)HCO(3) buffer (pH 9.4) and 200 mM NH(4)HCO(3) (pH 8.5), respectively. Absorbed proteins were desorbed using NaCl added to the starting buffer. A 42-fold purification of the enzyme was achieved. The RNase was unadsorbed on DEAE cellulose, Affi-gel blue gel and CM-cellulose but adsorbed on Q-Sepharose. It exhibited maximal RNase activity at pH 5 and 70 degrees C. Some RNase activity was detectable at 100 degrees C. It demonstrated the highest ribonucleolytic activity (196 U/mg) toward poly C, the next highest activity (126 U/mg) toward poly A, and much weaker activity toward poly U (48 U/mg) and poly G (41 U/mg). The RNase inhibited [(3)H-methyl]-thymidine uptake by leukemia L1210 cells with an IC(50) of 60 microM.