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In order to explore an alternative drying method to enhance the drying process and quality of persimmon slices, pulsed vacuum drying (PVD) was employed and the effects of different drying temperatures (60, 65, 70, and 75 °C) on drying kinetics, color, rehydration ratio (RR), microstructure, bioactive compounds, and the antioxidant capacity of sliced persimmons were investigated in the current work. Results showed that the rehydration ratio (RR) of the samples under PVD was significantly higher than that of the traditional hot air-dried ones. Compared to the fresh samples, the dried persimmon slices indicated a decrease in the bioactive compounds and antioxidant capacity. The total phenolic content (TPC) of PVD samples at 70 °C was 87.96% higher than that of the hot air-dried persimmon slices at 65 °C. Interestingly, at 70 °C, the soluble tannin content and TPC of the PVD samples reached the maximum values of 6.09 and 6.97 mg GAE/g, respectively. The findings in the current work indicate that PVD is a promising drying method for persimmon slices as it not only enhances the drying process but also the quality attributes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent evidence indicates that the abnormal differentiation of bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of osteoporosis. LncRNA SNHG1 has been found to be associated with the differentiation ability of BMSCs. In this study, we aimed to elucidate the role of lncRNA SNHG1 and its associated pathway on the differentiation of BMSCs in osteoporosis. Mice that underwent bilateral ovariectomy (OVX) were used as models of osteoporosis. Induced osteogenic or adipogenic differentiation was performed in mouse BMSCs. Compared to sham animals, lncRNA SNHG1 expression was upregulated in OVX mice. Also, the in vitro expression of SNHG1 was increased in adipogenic BMSCs but decreased in osteogenic BMSCs. Moreover, overexpression of SNHG1 enhanced the adipogenic capacity of BMSCs but inhibited their osteogenic capacity as determined by oil red O, alizarin red, and alkaline phosphatase staining, while silencing of SNHG1 led to the opposite results. LncRNA SNHG1 interacting with the RNA‐binding polypyrimidine tract‐binding protein 1 (PTBP1) promoted osteoprotegerin (Opg) methylation and suppressed Opg expression via mediating DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) 1. Furthermore, Opg was showed to regulate BMSC differentiation. Knockdown of SNHG1 decreased the expressions of adipogenic related genes but increased that of osteogenic related genes. However, the knockdown of Opg partially reversed those effects. In summary, lncRNA SNHG1 upregulated the expression of DNMT1 via interacting with PTBP1, resulting in Opg hypermethylation and decreased Opg expression, which in turn enhanced BMSC adipogenic differentiation and contributed to osteoporosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. To evaluate the stress status of fracture site caused by femoral neck shortening and to analyze the stress of fracture site and the implants from the finite element point of view. Methods. CT scan data of hip of a normal adult female were collected. Three-dimensional reconstruction MICs and related module function simulation was used to establish the postoperative shortening model of femoral neck fracture with Pauwels angle > 50 ° , which was treated with cannulated screws. The models were divided into four groups: normal femoral neck, shortening in 2.5 mm, shortening in 7.5 mm, and shortening in 12.5 mm. The finite element analysis software msc.nastran2012 was used, and the data of maximum stress and stress nephogram of fracture site and implants were carried out. Results. From normal femoral neck to shortening in 12.5 mm of the femoral neck, the maximum tensile stress increased gradually in the fracture site above the cannulated screws while compressive stress decreased gradually in the fracture site below the cannulated screws, and the maximum stress of the cannulated screws increased gradually with obvious stress concentration at the screw holes in the fracture site, and the peak value of stress concentration was about 179 MPa. Conclusion. The biomechanical environment of the fracture site changed by femoral neck shortening. With the increasing of femoral neck shortening, the stress of the fracture site and implants would be uneven; then, the stability of fracture site would become worse, and the possibility of implant sliding or even breakage would be increased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aloesin is an active constituent of the herb aloe vera and plays a crucial role in anti-inflammatory activity, ultraviolet protection, and antibacterium. We investigated the role and possible mechanisms of aloesin in the cell growth and metastasis of ovarian cancer. It was found that aloesin inhibited cell viability and cell clonality in a dose-dependent manner. It arrests the cell cycle at the S-phase and induced apoptosis in SKOV3 cells. In an in vivo experiment, it was observed that aloesin inhibited tumor growth. Moreover, it inhibited migration and invasion of cancer in SKOV3 cells. Interestingly, members from the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling family became less phosphorylated as the aloesin dose increased. This suggests that aloesin exerts its anticancer effect through the MAPK signaling pathway. Our data also highlights the possibility of using aloesin as a novel therapeutic drug for ovarian cancer treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ovarian cancer is one of the three most common gynecological malignant tumors worldwide. The prognosis of patients suffering from this malignancy remains poor because of limited therapeutic strategies. Herein, we investigated the role of a long noncoding RNA named MIR4697 host gene (MIR4697HG) in the cell growth and metastasis of ovarian cancer. Results showed that the transcriptional level of MIR4697HG in cancerous tissues increased twofold compared with that in adjacent noncancerous tissues. MIR4697HG was differentially expressed in ovarian cancer cell lines, with the highest levels in OVCAR3 and SKOV3 cells. MIR4697HG knockdown by specific shRNA significantly inhibited cell proliferation and colony formation in both OVCAR3 and SKOC3 cells. Consistently, in a xenograft model of ovarian cancer, MIR4697HG depletion also significantly restricted tumor volumes and weights. Furthermore, MIR4697HG knockdown inhibited cell migration and invasion capacities. Invasion ability was inhibited by 58% in SKOV3 cells and 40% in OVCAR3 cells, and migration ability was inhibited by 73% in SKOV3 cells and 62% in OVCAR3 cells after MIR4697HG knockdown. MIR4697HG knockdown also caused a decrease in matrix metalloprotease-9, phosphorylated ERK, and phosphorylated AKT. These data suggested that MIR4697HG promoted ovarian cancer growth and metastasis. The aggressive role of MIR4697HG in ovarian cancer may be related to the ERK and AKT signaling pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ARID1A as a subunit of SWI/SNF chromatin complexes is frequently mutated in human pancreatic cancer, however its exact role in pancreatic tumorigenesis remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the effects of ARID1A loss on human pancreatic epithelial cell lines HPNE, BxPC-3 with KRAS mutant (KRAS G12D ) expression. We found that ARID1A knockdown promoted cell proliferation and colony formation in cooperation with active mutant KRAS G12D . Function assay revealed that ARID1A knockdown accelerated cell cycle progression, and repressed KRAS G12D -induced cell senescence. Transcriptome analysis revealed ARID1A knockdown led to miR-503 upregulation. CDKN2A was identified as a target of miR-503, which contributes to cell senescence. Thus, our data suggests that ARID1A deficiency promote KRAS G12D -driven pancreatic tumorigenesis through miR-503/CDKN2A-mediated senescence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary To address the significance of enhancing myelination for functional recovery after white matter injury (WMI) in preterm infants, we characterized hypomyelination associated with chronic hypoxia and identified structural and functional deficits of excitatory cortical synapses with a prolonged motor deficit. We demonstrate that genetically delaying myelination phenocopies the synaptic and functional deficits observed in mice after hypoxia, suggesting that myelination may possibly facilitate excitatory presynaptic innervation. As a gain-of-function experiment, we specifically ablated the muscarinic receptor 1 (M1R), a negative regulator of oligodendrocyte differentiation in oligodendrocyte precursor cells. Genetically enhancing oligodendrocyte differentiation and myelination rescued the synaptic loss after chronic hypoxia and promoted functional recovery. As a proof of concept, drug-based myelination therapies also resulted in accelerated differentiation and myelination with functional recovery after chronic hypoxia. Together, our data indicate that myelination-enhancing strategies in preterm infants may represent a promising therapeutic approach for structural/functional recovery after hypoxic WMI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fluorescent RNA is a kind of emerging RNA labeling technique that can be used for in situ labeling and imaging of RNA in live cells, which plays an important role in understanding the function and regulation mechanism of RNA. Biosensing technology based on fluorescent RNA can be applied in dynamic detection of small molecule metabolites and proteins in real time, offering valuable tools for basic life science research and biomedical sensing technology development. In this review, we introduce the development of genetically encoded fluorescent RNA, and the application of fluorescent RNA in RNA imaging and biosensing technology based on fluorescent RNA in biosensing in live cell. Meanwhile, we discuss the direction and challenge of future development of fluorescent RNA technology to provide valuable insights for further development and application of this technology in relevant fields.

Purpose: Ovarian cancer is one of the leading causes of death for women worldwide. The present study aims to investigate the role of G protein-coupled receptor 137 (GPR137) in the biological activities of ovarian cancer cells., Methods: (QUERY: Please supply Methods for Abstract), Results: G protein-coupled receptor 137 was highly expressed in clinical ovarian cancer tissues and exhibited the highest protein levels in SKOV3 cells and OVCAR3 cells. Knockdown of GPR137 caused significant decreases in cell proliferative rates and colony formation abilities in SKOV3 cells and OVCAR3 cells and also inhibited the in vivo tumorigenesis in a xenograft model. It was observed that knockdown of GPR137 inhibited cell motility by up to 40% in SKOV3 cells and approximately 65% in OVCAR3 cells in wound-healing assay. Cell migration abilities were consistently inhibited by 68.2% in SKOV3 cells and 59.3% in OVCAR3 cells, whereas cell invasion abilities were inhibited by 64.0% and 74.2% in SKOV3 and OVCAR3 cells, respectively, after knockdown of GPR137. When GPR137 was depleted, epithelial markers were increased, while mesenchymal markers decreased., Conclusions: Our data suggest that GPR137 plays pro-oncogenic roles in ovarian cancer via regulation of the PI3K/AKT pathway. These observations might pave new insights into therapeutic strategies against human ovarian cancer.

Objective: To summarize the clinical results of femoral head fracture-dislocation treated according to Pipkin classification., Methods: Atotal of 19 patients with femoral head fracture-dislocation were retrospectively analyzed from Mar. 2008 to Mar. 2015. According to the classification of Pipkin criteria, there were 4 cases in Type-I, 6 cases in Type-II, 6 cases in Type-IIIand 3 cases in Type-IV. Various procedures were taken according to the different types of the fracture, the time of the fracture, and the age of the patients. X-ray was examined during the follow-up period and functional evaluation was carried out by Harris Hip Score's criteria. The clinical therapeutic effects were analyzed., Results: All the patientsgot a mean follow-up of 18 months (9-36 months). No patient suffered from infection, skin flap necrosis and X-ray showed no implants loosening or breakage. According to the Harris Hip Score's criteria, in Type-I, 4 cases were rated as excellent. In Type-II, 2 cases rated as excellent, 3 cases as good and 1 case as fair. In Type-III, 3 cases rated as good, 2 cases as fair and 1 case as poor. In Type-IV, 1 case rated as excellent, 1 case as good and 1 case as fair. The overall rate of excellent and good was 73.7%., Conclusions: Pipkin classification is helpful to make preoperative plan and judging the prognosis in cases of femoral head fracture-dislocation. However, multiple factors such as the time from injury to surgery, the ages of patients, the selection of implants should also be considered, which may affect the clinical results.

Aloesin is an active constituent of the herb aloe vera and plays a crucial role in anti-inflammatory activity, ultraviolet protection, and antibacterium. We investigated the role and possible mechanisms of aloesin in the cell growth and metastasis of ovarian cancer. It was found that aloesin inhibited cell viability and cell clonality in a dose-dependent manner. It arrests the cell cycle at the S-phase and induced apoptosis in SKOV3 cells. In an in vivo experiment, it was observed that aloesin inhibited tumor growth. Moreover, it inhibited migration and invasion of cancer in SKOV3 cells. Interestingly, members from the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling family became less phosphorylated as the aloesin dose increased. This suggests that aloesin exerts its anticancer effect through the MAPK signaling pathway. Our data also highlights the possibility of using aloesin as a novel therapeutic drug for ovarian cancer treatment.

Objectives: To study the influence of forefoot plantar pressure of the first tarsometatarsal joint fracture-dislocation by three different implants to provide experimental reference in selecting implants., Methods: Eight fresh foot specimens were made into the models of the first tarsometatarsal joint fracture-dislocation, which were fixed with 3.5 mm cortical screw, 1/4 tubular plate and compressive staple in turn. After the loading of 600N, the changes of the plantar pressure in forefoot were measured by the method of the F-scan plantar pressure system., Results: After first tarsometatarsal joint fracture-dislocation, the peak pressure under the first metatarsal head would decrease, while the pressure under the second metatarsal head would increase( P <0.05). When the first tarsometatarsal joint was fixed with screw or plate respectively; the peak pressure under the two metatarsal heads would tend to be normal. However, the staple fixation would show the statistical significant difference, although the peak pressure under the first and second metatarsal heads were recovered in some extent( P <0.05)., Conclusions: After the first tarsometatarsal joint fracture-dislocation, the plantar pressure might be compensated partly by the adjacent metatarsal heads. While the first tarsometatarsal joint fracture-dislocation was fixed by screw or plate, the plantar pressure of the forefoot would return to the normal state. However, if the joint was fixed by the staple, it would still be difficult to return the plantar pressure to be normal.

Ovarian cancer is one of the three most common gynecological malignant tumors worldwide. The prognosis of patients suffering from this malignancy remains poor because of limited therapeutic strategies. Herein, we investigated the role of a long noncoding RNA named MIR4697 host gene (MIR4697HG) in the cell growth and metastasis of ovarian cancer. Results showed that the transcriptional level of MIR4697HG in cancerous tissues increased twofold compared with that in adjacent noncancerous tissues. MIR4697HG was differentially expressed in ovarian cancer cell lines, with the highest levels in OVCAR3 and SKOV3 cells. MIR4697HG knockdown by specific shRNA significantly inhibited cell proliferation and colony formation in both OVCAR3 and SKOC3 cells. Consistently, in a xenograft model of ovarian cancer, MIR4697HG depletion also significantly restricted tumor volumes and weights. Furthermore, MIR4697HG knockdown inhibited cell migration and invasion capacities. Invasion ability was inhibited by 58% in SKOV3 cells and 40% in OVCAR3 cells, and migration ability was inhibited by 73% in SKOV3 cells and 62% in OVCAR3 cells after MIR4697HG knockdown. MIR4697HG knockdown also caused a decrease in matrix metalloprotease-9, phosphorylated ERK, and phosphorylated AKT. These data suggested that MIR4697HG promoted ovarian cancer growth and metastasis. The aggressive role of MIR4697HG in ovarian cancer may be related to the ERK and AKT signaling pathways., Competing Interests: The authors declare that there is no conflict of interests regarding the publication of this paper.

Background: There was no large-scale population survey on the prevalence of short stature in Anhui province yet. To further acquainting the epidemiological character of teenage children short stature in Anhui province, and to provide basis for exploring reasonable intervention measure about children's height, we took this survey on short stature in primary and middle school students of Anhui province., Methods: Twelve thousand nine primary and secondary school students in urban and rural aged from 7 to 18 years were recruited. The comparison of short stature in different genders, regions and age groups was done according to genetic metabolic endocrine group of pediatrics branch in Chinese Medical Association (CMA)., Results: The average detection rate of short stature in primary and middle school students was 3.16% in Anhui province. The detection rate was higher in rural area than in urban area, higher in economic backward area than in economic developed areas., Conclusion: There was no significant difference in detection rate in gender and age.

Objective: To review postoperative complications reported after closed calcaneus fracture treated by open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF)., Methods: Postoperative complications reported in the literature between 1995 and 2012 were identified. Papers were retrieved from publicly available databases and included in this study if they met the following criteria: clinical research of cases of closed calcaneus fracture treated by ORIF; ≥10 cases; detailed information about complications, treatment and follow up., Results: Twenty-one clinical reports were analysed (2046 cases). Reported complications (and incidence rates) were: infection and skin flap necrosis (13.6%); neurovascular injury (2.8%); post-traumatic arthritis (1.2%); malreduction/implant problems (0.8%); nonunion (0.1%)., Conclusions: Postoperative complications after closed calcaneus fracture are common clinical problems that cannot always be avoided. They can even be life altering, due to the requirement for long-term treatment or amputation and their economic impact on the patient. Complications should be diagnosed and treated promptly, to achieve satisfactory outcomes. Nonsurgical treatment (e.g. local wound care, drugs or physical therapy) can be attempted. If such measures fail, surgical treatment (e.g. debridement, skin flap transplantation, implant removal, re-opening of the reduction and internal fixation or subtalar joint arthrodesis) should be considered.

Objective: To explore the treatment strategies and clinical effect of the acetabular malunion with traumatic arthritis by total hip arthroplasty., Methodology: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 47 cases of acetabular malunion with traumatic arthritis from June 2000 to December 2009. All the patients underwent total hip arthroplasty with bone grafting or titanium cage for bone defect of the acetabulum. Harris hip scoring system was used for evaluating the functional recovery of the hip joint., Results: Thirty three cases had an average of 47 months follow-up. No prosthesis was loosened and the function of hip joint was improved obviously with the Harris hip scores improving from 43.5 to 87.6. However, there were one case of sciatic nerve injury and four cases of heterotopic ossification postoperatively., Conclusion: Total hip arthroplasty might be an effective treatment of acetabular malunion with traumatic arthritis. Proper evaluation and reasonable reconstruction of acetabular defect as well as reasonable selection of prosthesis are essential to obtain an excellent outcome.