FTO demethylates YAP mRNA promoting oral squamous cell carcinoma tumorigenesis.

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is the most common internal reversible modification of mRNA, which occurs on the N6 nitrogen of adenosine. Fat mass and obesity-associated (FTO) is a demethylase that erases m6A modification and has recently been linked to cancer. Herein, we explored the role of FTO in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). High FTO mRNA and protein levels were observed in OSCC cell lines and tissues as compared to normal controls. OSCC patients with high FTO displayed larger tumor size, higher TNM stage, poorer differentiation, and shorter survival time than those with low FTO. Stable knockdown of FTO inhibited OSCC cell viability, colony formation, and tumor growth. Further, FTO depletion increased YAP1 m6A modification at mRNA 3'-untranslated region, accelerating the degradation of YAP1 mRNA, a well-documented oncogene promoting OSCC progression. Importantly, nucleocytoplasmic shuttling of FTO is critical for YAP1 mRNA demethylation and decay following YTHDF2 reading and recognition. Our results highlight the role of FTO in regulating YAP1 mRNA stability, and targeting of FTO/YAP1 axis may be a promising intervention for OSCC patients.

Preparation of Magnetically Recoverable MPCTP-Ag Composite Nanoparticles and Their Application as High-Performance Catalysts.

In the present research, magnetically recyclable polyphosphazene (PCTP)/Ag (MPCTP-Ag) nanoparticles are prepared by a green path, in which PCTP was used to modify Fe3O4 nanoparticles and provide nucleation sites for the reduction of Ag nanoparticles. The prepared MPCTP-Ag nanoparticles were characterized by TEM, SEM, EDS, BET, XRD, vibrating sample magnometry, XPS, and TGA analysis. The catalytic performances of the MPCTP-Ag nanoparticles for the degradation of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP), methylene blue (MB), methyl orange (MO), and their mixtures in the presence of NaBH4 were studied. The main factors affecting the catalytic performance, including temperature, reactant concentration, and catalyst dosage, were investigated. The results showed that the MPCTP-Ag nanoparticles exhibited excellent catalytic activity for the degradation of all three targeted organic contaminants (4-NP, MB, and MO). Moreover, the product retains its catalytic activity after being reused five times by magnetic separation. The results showed that MPCTP-Ag composite nanoparticles were efficient recyclable magnetic nanocatalysts with promising application in environment protection.

Incorporation of log odds of positive lymph nodes into the AJCC TNM classification improves prediction of survival in oral cancer.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the prognostic performance of a new N classification that incorporates the log odds of positive lymph nodes (LODDS) into the routinely used pathological N classification for oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) patients. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study utilising LODDS into pN category was performed, and the AJCC TNM stage and T-New N-M stage were compared with respect to 5-year disease-specific survival (DSS) rates. The discriminability was evaluated from the linear trend chi-square test, Akaike information criterion (AIC) and Harrell's c-statistic. SETTING: Medical centrer in Taiwan. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 463 patients received primary surgery and neck dissection between 2004 and 2013 for OSCC. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The discriminability for 5-year DSS rates. RESULTS: The median follow-up period was 54 months, the mean patient age was 54 ± 11 years and 428 patients (92.4%) were male. The patients with higher LODDS had worse 5-year DSS rates. Incorporation of LODDS into the prognostic model based on the seventh edition of the TNM classification significantly improved discriminative performance for 5-year DSS with a lower AIC (1883 versus 1897), and higher prediction accuracy (Harrell's c-statistic: 0.768 versus 0.764). CONCLUSIONS: By utilising a merger of the LODDS and pN classifications to create a new N classification has better discriminatory and predictive ability than pathological TNM staging and could help identify high-risk patients for intense adjuvant therapy.

Serum CX3CL1/fractalkine concentrations are positively associated with disease severity in postmenopausal osteoporotic patients.

BACKGROUND: The chemokine (C-X3-C motif) ligand 1 (CX3CL1), also called fractalkine (FKN), has recently been reported to be involved in osteoclastogenic process and pathological bone destruction. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the link between serum CX3CL1/FKN levels with disease progression of postmenopausal osteoporotic patients. METHODS: A total of 53 women with postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMOP group), 51 postmenopausal non-osteoporotic female patients (PMNOP group) and 50 premenopausal non-osteoporotic healthy women of childbearing age (control group) were enrolled in the study. The bone mineral density (BMD) for all subjects was determined via dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry of the lumbar spine, femoral neck, internal trochanter, total hip, greater trochanter and Ward's triangle. The levels of FKN in the serum were examined using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. The serum bone resorption markers TRACP-5b, NTX levels, inflammation markers IL-1ß and IL-6 as well as oestrogen-2(E2) were also detected in all participants. The visual analogue scores (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) for low back pain were recorded in PMOP females for evaluation of osteoporotic pain and function. RESULTS: FKN levels were significantly higher in postmenopausal osteoporotic patients compared with postmenopausal non-osteoporotic females (139.8 ± 44.3 pg/mL VS 116.5 ± 23.1 pg/mL, p < 0.05) and healthy controls (139.8 ± 44.3 pg/mL VS 109.7 ± 19.4 pg/mL, p < 0.05). Serum FKN concentrations were negatively associated with BMD at femoral neck (r = -0.394, p = 0.004), total hip(r = -0.374, p = 0.006), internal trochanter(r = -0.340, p = 0.013), greater trochanter(r = -0.376, p = 0.006), Ward's triangle(r = -0.343, p = 0.012), L1-L4 lumbar spine(r = -0.339, p = 0.013) and positively associated with VAS (r = 0.321, p = 0.019) and ODI (r = 0.377, p = 0.005) scores, bone turnover makers (TRACP-5b:r = 0.341, p = 0.012; NTX:r = 0.364, p = 0.007)as well as inflammation markers (IL-1ß: r = 0.396, p = 0.003; IL-6:r = 0.355, p = 0.009) in postmenopausal osteoporotic patients. CONCLUSIONS: Serum FKN may serve as a novel biomarker for assessing disease progression and a new potential therapeutic target for anti-resorptive treatment in osteoporosis patients.

Endogenous CSE/H2 S system mediates TNF-α-induced insulin resistance in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.

Tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF- α)is a major contributor to the pathogenesis of insulin resistance associated with obesity and type 2 diabetes. It has been found that endogenous hydrogen sulfide (H2 S) contributes to the pathogenesis of diabetes. We have hypothesized that TNF-α-induced insulin resistance is involved in endogenous H2 S generation. The aim of the present study is to investigate the role of endogenous H2 S in TNF-α-induced insulin resistance by studying 3T3-L1 adipocytes. We found that treatment of 3T3-L1 adipocytes with TNF-α leads to deficiency in insulin-stimulated glucose consumption and uptake and increase in endogenous H2 S generation. We show that cystathionine γ-lyase (CSE) is catalysed in 3T3-L1 adipocytes to generate H2 S and that CSE expression and activity are upregulated by TNF-α treatment. Inhibited CSE by its potent inhibitors significantly attenuates TNF-α-induced insulin resistance in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, whereas H2 S treatment of 3T3-L1 adipocytes impairs insulin-stimulated glucose consumption and uptake. These data indicate that endogenous CSE/H2 S system contributes to TNF-α-caused insulin resistance in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Our findings suggest that modulation of CSE/H2 S system is a potential therapeutic avenue for insulin resistance.

Magnetic polyphosphazene@Au particles as substrates for multiple-detection of immunoproteins by surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy.

Au coated magnetic polyphosphazene (MPCTP) composite particles (MPCTP@Au) were fabricated with sensitive SERS activity. The MPCTP particles were generated by coating polyphosphazene on Fe3O4 nanoparticles through precipitation polycondensation of hexachlorocyclotriphosphazene and phloroglucinol. MPCTP@Au composite particles were obtained by deposition of Au nanoparticles on MPCTP by the reduction of HAuCl4. The size and the thickness of the Au shell can be controlled by varying the amount of HAuCl4. The magnetic core endowed the composite particles with good magnetic responsiveness, which allowed the analyte to be enriched and separated from the complex matrix, and significantly simplifying the sample pretreatment procedure. The SERS activity of MPCTP@Au composite particles were evaluated by DTNB as model Raman reporter, and the limits of detection (LOD) of DTNB was 10-8 mol/L. A high efficient SERS immunoassay system based on the MPCTP@Au substrates for the detection of immunoproteins was developed. Human IgG and rabbit IgG were quantitatively determinated simultaneously by this immunoassay system. The quantitative determination of the immunoglobulin G (IgG) was achieved and the LOD of human IgG, rabbit IgG and the mixture of human IgG and rabbit IgG were as low as 10 fg/mL, 100 pg/mL and 1 ng/mL, respectively. The results showed that the MPCTP@Au composite particles have broad application prospects as high performance SERS active substrates for immunoprotein analysis.

Increased YKL-40 levels are linked with disease severity of initially diagnosed Graves' disease.

Background: YKL-40, which is also known as Chitiniase 3-like 1, has been found to be up-regulated in many autoimmune diseases including asthma, systemic sclerosis and systemic lupus, etc. However, the relationship between serum levels of YKL-40 and one another common autoinmmue thyroid disease - Graves' disease (GD) has not yet been investigated.Objective: The current study was performed to investigate the correlation of serum YKL-40 levels with disease severity of initially diagnosed GD.Methods: A total of 142 newly diagnosed active GD and 137 healthy individuals were enrolled in the study. Methimazole was given to 55 GD patients and then 2-month study of follow-up was performed. A commercial ELISA kit was applied for the detection of YKL-40 in serum. Degree of goiter was assessed according to Pérez's Grade. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was carried out to detect the diagnostic value of serum YKL-40 with regard to goiter degree. The velocity of the peak systolic blood-flow and the thyroid tissue blood flow (TBF) were examined using Color Flow Doppler ultrasonography (CFDU).Results: The patients with GD exhibited dramatically higher YKL-40 in serum compared to those of healthy controls (606.1 ± 149.8 pg/mL vs. 397.4 ± 95.1 pg/mL, P < 0.001). Positive associations of YKL-40 with free T3 (FT3) and T4 (FT4), as well as the negative correlation of YKL-40 with TSH in serum, were observed. Additionally, the YKL-40 in serum was dramatically reduced after methimazole intervention, and the correlation of the decline with the reduced FT3 and FT4 was also found (all P < 0.001). Serum YKL-40 levels were positively correlated with goiter degree. ROC curve analysis demonstrated that serum YKL-40 concentration may act as a decent marker for goiter degree. The positive correlations of YKL-40 in serum with the average superior thyroid artery velocity (STV) and thyroid tissue blood flow (TBF) were also observed.Conclusion: Our findings implicated that YKL-40 may be closely connected to the pathogenesis of GD. Increased YKL-40 levels are linked with disease severity of initially diagnosed GD.

A new automatic algorithm to extract craniofacial measurements from fetal three-dimensional volumes.

OBJECTIVES: Three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound is useful in the prenatal evaluation of fetal craniofacial structures, particularly as it provides a multiplanar view. However, an expert must designate the area of interest and the appropriate view, making measurement of fetal structures using 3D ultrasound both time-consuming and subjective. In this study we propose an image analysis system that measures automatically and precisely the fetal craniofacial structures and evaluate its performance in the second trimester of pregnancy using a new 3D volume analysis algorithm. METHODS: A universal facial surface template model containing the geometric shape information of a fetal craniofacial structure was constructed from a fetal phantom. Using the proposed image analysis system we fitted this stored template model using a model deformation approach to individual fetal 3D facial volumes from 11 mid-trimester fetuses, and extracted automatically the following standard measurements: biparietal diameter (BPD), occipitofrontal diameter (OFD), interorbital diameter (IOD), bilateral orbital diameter (BOD) and distance between vertex and nasion (VN). The same five parameters were measured manually by an expert and the results compared. RESULTS: Comparison of the algorithm-based automatic measurements with manual measurements made by an expert gave correlation coefficients of 0.99 for BPD, 0.98 for OFD, 0.80 for BOD, 0.83 for IOD and 0.99 for VN. There were no significant differences between automatic and manual measurements. CONCLUSION: Our proposed system measures precisely the fetal craniofacial structures using 3D ultrasound, making it potentially useful for clinical service. This system could also be applied to other clinical fields in future testing.

Apply Woods model in the predictions of ambient air particles and metallic elements (Mn, Fe, Zn, Cr, and Cu) at industrial, suburban/coastal, and residential sampling sites.

The main purpose for this study was to monitor ambient air particles and metallic elements (Mn, Fe, Zn, Cr, and Cu) in total suspended particulates (TSPs) concentration, dry deposition at three characteristic sampling sites of central Taiwan. Additionally, the calculated/measured dry deposition flux ratios of ambient air particles and metallic elements were calculated with Woods models at these three characteristic sampling sites during years of 2009-2010. As for ambient air particles, the results indicated that the Woods model generated the most accurate dry deposition prediction results when particle size was 18 µm in this study. The results also indicated that the Woods model exhibited better dry deposition prediction performance when the particle size was greater than 10 µm for the ambient air metallic elements in this study. Finally, as for Quan-xing sampling site, the main sources were many industrial factories under process around these regions and were severely polluted areas. In addition, the highest average dry deposition for Mn, Fe, Zn, and Cu species occurred at Bei-shi sampling site, and the main sources were the nearby science park, fossil fuel combustion, and Taichung thermal power plant (TTPP). Additionally, as for He-mei sampling site, the main sources were subjected to traffic mobile emissions.

[Role of anti c-mpl antibody in systemic lupus erythematosus with thrombocytopenia].

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether anti-thrompoietin receptor (TPO-R, c-mpl) antibody contributes to thrombocytopenia in systemic lupus erytematosus (SLE) and explore the pathogenic role of this antibody. METHODS: Sera from 24 SLE patients with thrombocytopenia, 27 SLE patients having normal platelet counts with a history of thrombocytopenia, 18 SLE patients with neither thrombocytopenia nor post thrombocytopenia and 18 healthy controls were collected. Anti c-mpl antibodies were detected by an indirected ELISA assay. The serum TPO levels were measured by an ELISA assay. Clinical findings, autoantibody profiles, and SLEDAI were evaluated. RESULTS: Serum anti c-mpl antibodies were detected in 18.8% of the SLE patientis. The frequency of this antibody in SLE with thrombocytopenia, SLE with a history of thrombocytopenia and SLE without thrombocytopenia were of no difference (P=0.600). In the patients with anti c-mpl antibodies, their platelet counts were decreased(P=0.025) and serum TPO levels elevated(P=0.038) than those in the patients without, while there were no differences between the two groups in C3, C4, ESR, CRP level, the frequency of ANA, dsDNA, ANCA and SLEDAI. CONCLUSION: Anti c-mpl antibody contributes to SLE-associated thrombocytopenia by functionally blocking an interaction between thrombopoietin and c-mpl, which might inhibit TPO-dependent megakaryocyte proliferation and differentiation.

[A multicenter study of coronary artery disease and its risk factors in rheumatoid arthritis in China].

OBJECTIVE: To learn about the prevalence and risk factors of coronary artery disease (CAD) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: Data were obtained from a 12-month retrospective investigation of the patients with RA, randomly selected from Departments of Rheumatology and Immunology in 21 big hospitals in China. The data were collected about their social conditions, clinical conditions, medications associated with RA, such as disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), glucocorticoid, biologic agents. A nonparameter test and multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed. RESULTS: In the study, 960 patients were enrolled. The prevalence of CAD was 3.5% in China, which was obviously higher than that of normal people. The prevalence of overweight and obesity, smoking, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hypercholesterolemia and cerebrovascular disease were 35.1%, 12.3%, 17.0%, 7.7%, 0.4% and 3.0%, respectively. Compared with the control group, the CAD group had higher age [(64.7±9.3) years vs. (52.3±14.0) years,P<0.001], more rheumatoid nodules (14.7% vs. 3.1%,P=0.005), lower rate of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) use (5.9% vs. 22.6%,P=0.021), higher prevalence rates of lung interstitial disease (17.5% vs. 7.0%,P<0.001), diabetes mellitus and hypertension (29.4% vs. 7.0%,P<0.001; 38.2% vs. 16.2%,P=0.001). There was no obvious correlation of CAD in RA with joint deformity, rheumatoid factor (RF) titer, glucocorticoid use, hypercholesterolemia and body mass index (BMI). Multivariate analysis showed higher age, diabetes mellitus and hypertension were independent predictors of CAD, and the use of HCQ was a protective factor of CAD. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of CAD is 3.5%. Higher age, diabetes mellitus and hypertension are independent predictors of CAD, and the use of HCQ is a protective factor of CAD.

[Survey of tumor necrosis factor inhibitors application in patients with rheumatoid arthritis in China].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the current status of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors application in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients in China and to analyze the related factors. METHODS: A retrospective survey was conducted in 21 hospitals from different parts of China. The patients with RA were randomly enrolled. Data of their social backgrounds, clinical conditions, usage and adverse effects of TNF inhibitors were collected. The costs of TNF inhibitors and the indirect costs of the disease were calculated. A multivariate Logistic regression analysis was performed to analyze the factors related to TNF inhibitors application. RESULTS: In the study, 1 095 RA patients from July 2009 to November 2010 were enrolled, of whom 112 had received TNF inhibitors, representing 10.2% of the total patients. The patients who received etanercept and infliximab were 7.4% (86/1 095) of the patients and 2.4% (26/1 095), respectively. There were 0.5% of the patients (5/1 095) who had received both of the TNF inhibitors. The patients who had accepted etanercept and treatment duration for less than 3 months and 3-6 months accounted for 38.5% and 25.0% respectively, while those treated with Infliximab were 38.1%. Their health assessment questionnaire (HAQ) scores were 1.1, 0.5 and 0.1, corresponding to treatment duration of infliximab for less than 3, 3-6 and 6-9 months and those were 1.3, 1.0, 0.3 corresponding to treatment duration of etanercept, respectively. Infliximab costs were RMB 24 525.0, 69 300.0 and 96 800.0 Yuan and etanercept costs were RMB 7 394.8, 9 158.6, 54 910.9 Yuan, respectively. Indirect costs for RA patients who accepted infliximab for less than 3, 3-6 and 6-9 months were RMB 365.6, 0 and 158.9 Yuan and those who accepted etanercept were RMB 2 158.4, 288.5 and 180.1 Yuan, respectively. Allergy and infection were the main side-effects of etanercept and both happened in 3.5% of all the patients. Liver damage happened in 2.3% of all the patients, while allergy and infection happened in 6.5% of all the patients who accepted infliximab. Logistic regression analysis showed that patients with higher education experience increased the odds of entering the TNF inhibitors group (OR: 1.292, 95%CI: 1.132-1.473, P=0.000). CONCLUSION: About one-tenth of RA patients in China have accepted TNF inhibitors. Higher education experience is the key factor for using TNF inhibitors.

[Sulphasalazine in patients with rheumatoid arthritis in China: a cross-sectional study].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the medication status of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and to analyze the clinical use of sulphasalazine (SSZ) and the adverse effect. METHODS: A total of 1 096 outpatients and inpatients diagnosed with RA were investigated in 21 hospitals all over China from July 2009 to December 2010, including gender, age of onset, clinical manifestations, as well as the clinical characteristics and medication status of 160 RA patients who received SSZ therapy. RESULTS: In the group of 160 patients who received SSZ, the male-to-female ratio was 1:7, The average age at onset was (46.1±15.0) years, while the average course was (9.9±7.8) years. The average dose of sulphasalazine was (1.87±0.52) g/d for a mean duration of (26.3± 14.6) months. Only 17% (27/160) of the patients received SSZ monotherapy. Methotrexate (63.1%), leflunomide (36.2%) and hydroxychloroquine (18.1%) were most commonly used combination drugs. And 36.2% (58/160) of the patients used the two-drug combination of methotrexate plus sulphasalazine .In this group, 41.9% (67/160) once used SSZ but withdrew for adverse events and other reasons, while 17.5% (28/160) withdrew for adverse events, of which the most common were gastrointestinal (8.8%), skin (3.8%) and liver toxicity (3.1%). CONCLUSION: Sulphaszlazine is not a common choice in the RA therapeutics in China, and the average dose of SSZ is lower than the standard dose of 2 to 3 g/d . The adverse events of SSZ are common; however, there are few severe adverse events or threat to life,SSZ is relatively safe in clinical practice.

Plasma LncRNA MALAT1 Expressions Are Negatively Associated with Disease Severity of Postmenopausal Osteoporosis.

BACKGROUND: Long noncoding RNA metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (LncRNA MALAT1) has been proven to promote osteogenesis in different health conditions. However, the role of plasma MALAT1 in postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMOP) has not been investigated. OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether plasma MALAT1 expressions are associated with severity of PMOP. METHODS: A total of 126 patients with PMOP and 126 healthy female control individuals were drafted into study participation. Plasma MALAT1 was detected using RT-PCR. Bone formation marker bone-specific alkaline phosphatase plasma concentration was determined using chemiluminescence immunoassay. Levels of bone absorption marker cross-linked N-telopeptidases of type I collagen were measured in duplicate using enzyme immunoassay. Bone mineral density (BMD) was examined in the total hips, femoral neck, and lumbar (L1-L4) spine using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. We used Genant semiquantitative (GSQ) criteria to assess the degree of vertebral deformity and fracture. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to evaluate the potential diagnostic value of MALAT1 with regard to the GSQ grading. We used the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) to evaluate the symptomatic severity in and functional ability of the study participants. RESULTS: Plasma MALAT1 expressions were significantly lower in patients with PMOP, compared with healthy controls. Plasma MALAT1 expressions in patients with PMOP were positively associated with total hip, femoral neck, and lumbar (L1-L4) spine BMD. In total, 95 patients experienced vertebral deformity or fracture (VF), and 31 had no fractures. Plasma MALAT1 expressions were markedly decreased in patients with VF, compared with patients without fractures. Plasma MALAT1 expressions were negatively related to GSQ grading in patients with VF. ROC curve analysis demonstrated that decreased plasma MALAT1 expression exhibits decent diagnostic value with regard to GSQ grading. Finally, we discovered that plasma MALAT1 expression was also negatively associated with VAS and ODI. CONCLUSION: Plasma MALAT1 expressions are negatively associated with severity of PMOP.

Modeling Evolution of Cutting Force in Ultrasonically Assisted Drilling of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastics.

In this study, the effects of process parameters (feed rate, spindle speed, and ultrasonic power level) on the cutting force and delamination in the ultrasonic vibration-assisted drilling of carbon fiber-reinforced plastics (CFRPs) have been investigated. A series of drilling tests under various conditions defined by the design of experiment technique were conducted. The evolution of the cutting force during drilling cycles was measured and analyzed. Experimental analysis results based on the Taguchi method and analysis of variance show that the spindle speed is an influential factor affecting the cutting force with a contribution of 75.36%, and the feed rate significantly affects the delamination damage with a contribution of 46.57%. In addition, the cutting force was found to increase with drilling cycles at different rates, which depends on the process parameters used in drilling. The evolution behavior of cutting force was well fitted based on the process parameters by proposed regression models. Experimental validation indicates that the predicted forces show reasonable agreement with measured values under different conditions and reveal good prediction performances, with a root mean square error of 5.6 and a mean absolute percentage error of 5.8%. In drilling tests with variable cutting conditions, the evolution of the cutting forces predicted based on the selected parameters was successfully verified when compared with the measured results, with RMSE and MAPE values of 7.55 and 5.61%, respectively. As a conclusion, this predictive model provides an effective basis for selecting appropriate drilling parameters to suppress the cutting force on CFRP composites.

[Tiaohe Yinyang acupotomy for knee osteoarthritis: a randomized controlled trial].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical efficacy of Tiaohe Yinyang acupotomy (acupotomy for regulating and harmonizing yin and yang) for knee osteoarthritis (KOA). METHODS: A total of 88 patients with KOA were randomized into a acupotomy group and a sham-acupotomy group, 44 cases in each group. In the acupotomy group, acupotomy was applied at yin side (4-5 high stress points i.e. pes anserinus and terminal of popliteus) and yang side (1-2 high stress points i.e. stimulation point of infrapatellar ligament and suprapatellar bursa) of knee joint. In the sham-acupotomy group, sham-acupotomy was applied at the same points as the acupotomy group. The treatment was given once a week for 2 weeks in the two groups. Before and after treatment, the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities arthritis index (WOMAC) score, visual analogue scale (VAS) score, thickness of medial and lateral collateral ligaments of knee joint, motion range of knee joint and plantar pressure distribution were observed in the two groups. In the follow-up of 3 months after treatment, the WOMAC and VAS scores were recorded in the acupotomy group. RESULTS: After treatment, the sub item scores (pain, stiffness and function) and total scores of WOMAC and VAS scores were decreased in the both groups (P<0.05), pain score, function score and total score of WOMAC and VAS score in the acupotomy group were lower than those in the sham-acupotomy group (P<0.05). Before and after treatment, there were no statistical differences in thickness of medial and lateral collateral ligaments of knee joint and motion range of knee joint between the two groups (P>0.05). After treatment, the plantar medial pressure was increased while the plantar lateral pressure was decreased (P<0.05), and the plantar force line moved medially in the acupotomy group. In the follow-up, the sub item scores and total score of WOMAC and VAS score were lower than those before and after treatment in the acupotomy group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Tiaohe Yinyang acupotomy can improve the clinical symptoms of knee joint in patients with KOA by changing the local biological stress.

Solid Phase Epitaxy of Single Phase Two-Dimensional Layered InSe Grown by MBE.

Single-phase two-dimensional (2D) indium monoselenide (γ-InSe) film is successfully grown via solid phase epitaxy in the molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) system. Having high electron mobility and high photoresponsivity, ultrathin 2D γ-InSe semiconductors are attractive for future field-effect transistor and optoelectronic devices. However, growing single-phase γ-InSe film is a challenge due to the polymorphic nature of indium selenide (γ-InSe, α-In2Se3, ß-In2Se3, γ-In2Se3, etc.). In this work, the 2D α-In2Se3 film was first grown on a sapphire substrate by MBE. Then, the high In/Se ratio sources were deposited on the α-In2Se3 surface, and an γ-InSe crystal emerged via solid-phase epitaxy. After 50 min of deposition, the initially 2D α-In2Se3 phase was also transformed into a 2D γ-InSe crystal. The phase transition from 2D α-In2Se3 to γ-InSe was confirmed by Raman, XRD, and TEM analysis. The structural ordering of 2D γ-InSe film was characterized by synchrotron-based grazing-incidence wide-angle X-ray scattering (GIWAXS).

[The role of promoter CpG islands methylation of leptin gene in osteoarthritis].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of 5-Aza-CdR (methylation transferase inhibitor)on the expression levels of leptin gene in chondrocytes and methylation states of leptin promoter region between osteoarthritis (OA) group and control. METHODS: The chondrocytes in osteoarthritis group were treated with 5-Aza-CdR with different doses and time-points, and the expression level of leptin was detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction for picking up the optimum dose and time-point. Next, the chondrocytes in 5 osteoarthritis patients and 5 control patients (amputation due to severe trauma) were treated with 5-Aza-CdR. Lastly, leptin mRNA expression levels in the four groups osteoarthritis and control chondrocytes treated with/without 5-Aza-CdR were measured by real-time PCR and the methylation state of promoter region (-280 - +79) was detected by epitope quantitative DNA methylation analysis. RESULTS: (1) After treating the chondrocytes in OA groups with 10 µmol/L 5-Aza-CdR for 72 h, the mRNA expression levels of leptin were increased significantly. (2) The mRNA expression levels of leptin were significantly different among the four groups (P < 0.05), and the chondrocytes in osteoarthritis groups treated with 5-Aza-CdR showed a marked induction of leptin mRNA expression. (3) Analysis of quantitative methylation data using an unsupervised hierarchical clustering algorithm, showed that methylation patterns of leptin promoter was different between control and osteoarthritis chondrocyte treated with/without 5-Aza-CdR. CONCLUSION: Demethylation of leptin promoter might up-regulate leptin gene expression level and it might contribute to osteoarthritis.

[Identification of a novel lymphotoxin-alpha (LTA) gene associated with ankylosing spondylitis in Ningxia population].

Lymphotoxin-alpha (LTA) gene has been reported to have a genetic association with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), psoriasis, and rheumatoid arthritis. However, the association of LTA with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) has not reported. By case-control study, we carried out the high density limited genome scanning to the HLA class III region about 58 kb in Ningxia population (case 300 and control 385). In this study, 33 SNPs in LTA were genotyped in Ningxia population. We analyzed these SNPs and the haplotypes covering LTA. Only the distribution of TCC haplotype which contains mutation allele of LTA rs909253 was statistically significant(P=0.0005). The C allele frequency of the LTA rs909253 T/C polymorphism was higher in AS cases than that in the controls (28.5% versus 19.7%, P=2×10-4) in Ningxia population. The results suggest that there is a relevance between LTA and the susceptibility of AS, and we identified that the LTA polymorphism may be associated with AS in Ningxia population.

Risk of chronic spontaneous urticaria in reproductive-aged women with abnormal uterine bleeding: A population-based cohort study.

Women with abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) have been reported to develop chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU). Nevertheless, whether or not AUB women have an increased risk of CSU has not been examined in large-scale epidemiologic studies. This study aimed to investigate the risk of CSU among reproductive-aged women with AUB. A total of 79 595 patients and 79 107 propensity-score matched controls were recruited from Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database to conduct a nationwide cohort study. The Cox proportional-hazard regression model was applied to examine the adjusted hazard ratios (aHR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for CSU in relation to AUB. We found that women with AUB had a higher risk for CSU (aHR = 1.83; 95% CI, 1.76-1.90) than women without AUB. Subgroup analyses revealed that AUB with an abnormal bleeding frequency (aHR = 1.70; 95% CI, 1.60-1.79), irregular bleeding (aHR = 1.80; 95% CI, 1.71-1.89), and intermenstrual bleeding (aHR = 1.65; 95% CI, 1.49-1.83) were associated with an increased risk of CSU compared with those without abnormalities. The Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that the cumulative incidence of developing CSU was consistently higher in the AUB cohort than in the non-AUB cohort during the entire follow-up period (log-rank test, p < 0.001). In conclusion, reproductive-aged women with AUB were found to have a higher risk of developing CSU. This study emphasizes the importance of enquiring CSU patients about menstrual problems in clinical practice. Further consultation with obstetrician-gynecologists may be beneficial.