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Background We aimed to explore the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and body weight perception (BWP) with suicidal behaviors among mainland Chinese adolescents. Methods A nationally representative sample (N = 10 110) of Chinese adolescents was assessed in this study. Suicidal behaviors (ideation, plan and attempt) were evaluated by four self-reported questions. Generalized linear mixed model was used to estimate the adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for the association between BWP/BMI with suicidal behaviors. Results The prevalence of suicidal ideation, suicidal plan and suicidal attempt was 12, 5 and 2.1%, respectively. After adjusting potential covariates, perceiving oneself as obese was significantly associated with increased risks of suicidal ideation (OR: 2.4, 95% confidence intervals, CI: 1.6–4.0, P = 0.001), suicidal plan (OR: 3.1, 95% CI: 1.5–6.3, P = 0.002) and suicidal attempt (OR: 3.7, 95% CI: 1.5–9.1, P = 0.001) compared with perceiving as normal weight among male adolescents; the effect attenuated to null among female adolescents. Perceiving oneself as underweight and overweight both exhibited significant adverse effect on suicidal behaviors (only suicidal ideation and suicidal plan) compared with perceiving oneself as normal weight among male adolescents, but not among female adolescents. The actual measured BMI was not significantly associated with suicidal behaviors among neither gender. Conclusions Self-perception of their body image rather than actual measured weight may have a gender-specific adverse effect on suicidal behaviors among Chinese adolescents.

Introduction: Advanced lung cancer inflammation index (ALI) within esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) importance is unclear. We aimed to investigate whether ALI is linked to poor short-term outcomes and long-term prognosis within cases of ESCC after minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE). Methods: Kaplan-Meier survival assessment was applied for comparing cancer-specific survival (CSS) across different cohorts. Clinicopathological features across the two cohorts were eliminated by propensity score matching (PSM). We established a new model for predicting CSS by combining ALI and tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) staging according to Cox multivariate results. Time-dependent area under the curve (t-AUC) and decision curve analyses (DCA) evaluated predictive /clinical relevance capacities for this model. Results: Severe postoperative complication manifestations within low ALI cohort were significantly elevated compared to within high ALI cohort (25.3% vs 16.7, P=0.01), nil variations were identified across both cohorts after PSM (25.3% vs 18.3%, P = 0.06). Both, within overall cohort and the matched cohort, low ALI only significantly reduced the 5-year CSS in locally advanced ESCC patients (all P < 0.05) relative to high ALI. Further analysis demonstrated that patients within high ALI cohort were at increased risk for adverse postoperative CSS in most clinicopathological subgroups. Cox multivariate analysis demonstrated that TNM staging and ALI were variables that independently influenced adverse CSS in both cohorts (P < 0.05). Therefore, a new prediction model was established by combining these two factors. The t-AUC and DCA demonstrated that this model had a more accurate prediction effect and better clinical use value than the TNM stage alone. Conclusion: ALI proved to be an effective biological indicator of CSS after MIE in locally advanced ESCC patients. The combined application of the ALI and TNM model can thus improve the clinical prediction ability.

Background Preoperative imaging examination is the primary method for diagnosing metastatic gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST), but it is associated with a high rate of missed diagnosis. Therefore, it is important to establish an accurate model for predicting occult peritoneal metastasis (PM) of GIST. Patients and methods GIST patients seen between April 2002 and December 2018 were selected from an institutional database. Using multivariate logistic regression analyses, we created a nomogram to predict occult PM of GIST and validated it with an independent cohort from the same center. The concordance index (C-index), decision curve analysis (DCA) and a clinical impact curve (CIC) were used to evaluate its predictive ability. Results A total of 522 eligible GIST patients were enrolled in this study and divided into training (n=350) and validation cohorts (n=172). Factors associated with occult PM were included in the model: tumor size (odds ratio [OR] 1.194 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.034-1.378; p=0.016), primary location (OR 7.365 95% CI, 2.192-24.746; p=0.001), tumor capsule (OR 4.282 95% CI, 1.209-15.166; p=0.024), Alb (OR 0.813 95% CI, 0.693-0.954; p=0.011) and FIB (OR 2.322 95% CI, 1.410-3.823; p=0.001). The C-index was 0.951 (95% CI, 0.917-0.985) in the training cohort and 0.946 (95% CI, 0.900-0.992) in the validation cohort. In the training cohort, the prediction model had a sensitivity of 82.8%, a specificity of 93.8%, a positive predictive value of 54.7%, and a negative predictive value of 98.4%; the validation cohort values were 94.7%, 85.0%, 43.9% and 99.2%, respectively. DCA and CIC results showed that the nomogram had clinical value in predicting occult PM in GIST patients. Conclusion Imaging and inflammatory indexes are significantly associated with microscopic metastases of GIST. A nomogram including these factors would have an excellent ability to predict occult PM.

Non-textbook outcome (non-TO) represents a new prognostic evaluation index for surgical oncology. The present study aimed to develop new nomograms based on non-TO to predict the mortality and recurrence rate in patients with esophageal squamous cell cancer (ESCC) after minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE).The study involved a retrospective analysis of 613 ESCC patients, from the prospectively maintained database from January 2011 to December 2018. All the included ESCC patients underwent MIE, and they were randomly (1:1) assigned to the training cohort (307 patients) and the validation cohort (306 patients). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to analyze the differences recorded between overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS). In the case of the training cohort, the nomograms based on non-TO were developed using Cox regression, and the performance of these nomograms was calibrated and evaluated in the validation cohort.Significant differences were recorded for 5-year OS and DFS between non-TO and TO groups (p 0.05). Multivariate cox analysis revealed that non-TO, intraoperative bleeding, T stage, and N stage acted as independent risk factors that affected OS and DFS (p 0.05). The results for multivariate regression were used to build non-TO-based nomograms to predict OS and DFS of patients with ESCC, the t-AUC curve analysis showed that the nomograms predicting OS and DFS were more accurate as compared to TNM staging, during the follow-up period in the training cohort and validation cohort. Further, the nomogram score was used to divide ESCC patients into low-, middle-, and high-risk groups and significant differences were recorded for OS and DFS between these three groups (p 0.001).Non-TO was identified as an independent prognostic factor for ESCC patients. The nomograms based on non-TO could availably predict OS and DFS in ESCC patients after MIE.

Background The prognosis of patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) is generally evaluated at the time of diagnosis but does not reflect the survival dynamics of patients in the future. Therefore, the purpose of this article was to evaluate the conditional survival (CS) of Chinese patients with GISTs after radical resection. Methods This retrospective study included 451 patients who underwent radical surgery for GISTs. A Cox proportional hazard model was used to evaluate the prognostic factors of disease-free survival (DFS). The 3-year conditional DFS (CDFS3) of patients who survived for x years was expressed as CDFS3=DFS(x + 3)/DFS(x). Results The traditional 3-year DFS rate decreased gradually from 94.0% at 3 years to 77.3% at 7 years, while the CDFS3 rate increased from 94.0 to 95.2% over the survival time of the patients. In addition, classic clinicopathological prognostic factors had different effects on CDFS3, with changes observed in survival time, but these effects were only slight or moderate (|d| Conclusion CS provides detailed dynamic survival information about Chinese patients with primary resected GISTs. The mitotic index is of great clinical significance for the monitoring and follow-up of patient populations with a high risk of tumor recurrence or death until 5 years after surgery.

Background Preoperative imaging examination is the primary method for diagnosing metastatic gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST), but it is associated with a high rate of missed diagnosis. Therefore, it is important to establish an accurate model for predicting occult peritoneal metastasis (PM) of GIST. Patients and Methods GIST patients seen between April 2002 and December 2018 were selected from an institutional database. Using multivariate logistic regression analyses, we created a nomogram to predict occult PM of GIST and validated it with an independent cohort from the same center. The concordance index (C-index), decision curve analysis (DCA) and a clinical impact curve (CIC) were used to evaluate its predictive ability. Results A total of 522 eligible GIST patients were enrolled in this study and divided into training (n=350) and validation cohorts (n=172). Factors associated with occult PM were included in the model: tumor size (odds ratio [OR] 1.194 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.034–1.378; p=0.016), primary location (OR 7.365 95% CI, 2.192–24.746; p=0.001), tumor capsule (OR 4.282 95% CI, 1.209–15.166; p=0.024), Alb (OR 0.813 95% CI, 0.693–0.954; p=0.011) and FIB (OR 2.322 95% CI, 1.410–3.823; p=0.001). The C-index was 0.951 (95% CI, 0.917–0.985) in the training cohort and 0.946 (95% CI, 0.900–0.992) in the validation cohort. In the training cohort, the prediction model had a sensitivity of 82.8%, a specificity of 93.8%, a positive predictive value of 54.7%, and a negative predictive value of 98.4%; the validation cohort values were 94.7%, 85.0%, 43.9% and 99.2%, respectively. DCA and CIC results showed that the nomogram had clinical value in predicting occult PM in GIST patients. Conclusion Imaging and inflammatory indexes are significantly associated with microscopic metastases of GIST. A nomogram including these factors would have an excellent ability to predict occult PM.

BACKGROUND: The textbook outcome (TO) emerges as a novel prognostic factor in surgical oncology. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of TO on the risk of death and recurrence in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) after minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE). METHODS: The study involved retrospective analysis of 528 patients with ESCC who were subjected to MIE from January 2011 to December 2017. TO included 8 parameters: complete resection; microscopically tumor-negative resection margins (R0); ≥15 lymph nodes removed and examined; no serious postoperative complications; no postoperative intervention; no re-admission to the intensive care unit (ICU); hospital stay ≤21 days; and no readmission ≤30 days. The Cox and logistic regression model were used to analyze the prognostic factors of survival and risk factors for TO. RESULTS: Among the 528 patients with ESCC who were subjected to MIE, 53.2% reached TO. In the case of patients with locally advanced ESCC, 5-year overall survival (OS) was 51.1% (41.2–61.2%) for the TO group but 33.7% (23.7–43.7%) for the non-TO group (HR =0.644, 95% CI: 0.449–0.924, P=0.015). Similarly, 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) was 47.6% (38.0–57.2%) for the TO group but 29.1% (20.1–38.1%) for the non-TO group (HR =0.671, 95% CI: 0.479–0.940, P=0.018). In addition, 5-year recurrence-free survival (RFS) was 62.9% (53.7–72.1%) for the TO group but 39.8% (29.4–50.2%) for the non-TO group (HR =0.606, 95% CI: 0.407–0.902, P=0.012). Multivariate logistic regression analysis further showed that age, American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) score, intraoperative blood loss, and smoking status acted as independent risk factors for TO. The results of the multivariate analysis assisted in the establishment of a nomogram for the prediction of TO occurrence. This nomogram exhibited satisfactory consistency and prediction ability [area under the receiving operator characteristic (AUROC) =0.717]. CONCLUSIONS: The present study showed that achieving of TO after MIE improves survival rate and reduce the recurrence rate in patients with locally advanced ESCC. The study further determined the independent factors associated with TO achievement and established a prediction model.

SUMMARYVolatility functionals are widely used in financial econometrics. In the literature, they are estimated with realized volatility functionals using high-frequency data. In this paper we introduce a nonparametric local bootstrap method that resamples the high-frequency returns with replacement in local windows shrinking to zero. While the block bootstrap in time series (Hall et al., 1995) aims to reduce correlation, the local bootstrap is intended to eliminate the heterogeneity of volatility. We prove that the local bootstrap distribution of the studentized realized volatility functional is first-order accurate. We present Edgeworth expansions of the studentized realized variance with and without local bootstrapping in the absence of the leverage effect and jumps. The expansions show that the local bootstrap distribution of the studentized realized variance is second-order accurate. Extensive simulation studies verify the theory.

In this study we use system GMM estimation techniques to examine the dynamic effect of financial development on energy consumption with a panel data set on 29 provinces during the period 1999-2009 in China. The empirical results show a positive and statistically significant relationship between financial development and energy consumption when financial development is measured by the ratio of loans in financial institution to GDP and by the ratio of FDI to GDP. These results have critical implications for energy policy where the impact of financial development on energy consumption, especially, the short effect from the development of bank loan scale and the long effect from the development of FDI, is important to improve the political effect.

Based on characteristics of deep sea flexible mining system, a new pump-lockage ore transportation system was designed. According to Bernoulli equation and two-phase hydrodynamics theory, parameters of the new system were obtained and four ore transportation systems were analyzed. The results indicate that the pump head of 1 000 m mining system is 100–150 m and that of 5 000 m mining system is 660–750 m. In addition, based on similarity theory, a model of the new transportation system was made, which can simulate more than 5 000 m actual ore transportation system. So both theory and experiment prove that the new pump-lockage ore transportation system is an ideal design for deep sea flexible mining system.

Wound healing can lead to hypertrophic scar or keloid formation, characterized by an overabundant extracellular matrix. Current established treatment strategies include surgical resection, triamcinolone steroid injection, pressure therapy, silicone therapy, radiotherapy, etc. Cytokines also play a critical role in the regulation of cellular activities and extracellular matrix metabolism. Interferons (IFN) represent a group of antifibroproliferative agents that inhibit fibroblast proliferation and collagen production, and interleukin (IL)-1β also accelerates hypertrophic scar fibroblasts to produce collagenolytic enzymes, leading to tissue destruction. This study addressed the effects of steroid, IFN α-2b, or IL-1β on apoptosis and cell pathway of fibroblasts from keloids, hypertrophic scars, and normal skins and different responses of different fibroblasts. Six samples of keloid, six samples of hypertrophic scar, and six samples of normal skin were, respectively, collected from patients, and fibroblasts from different sources were cultured in vitro. After different fibroblasts were treated with dexamethasone (0.1 mg/ml) or IFN α-2b (1,000 μ/ml) or IL-1β (200 μ/ml), Bax and Bcl-2 were detected in situ by immunohistochemical staining; deoxyribonucleic acid ladders of different fibroblasts were observed by gel electrophoresis, and relative activated (phospho-) extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) pathways were detected by the method of fast activated cell-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In media containing dexamethasone, apoptosis took place in fibroblasts from keloids, hypertrophic scars, and normal skins by gel electrophoresis with increased rate of Bax/Bcl-2. Activated (phospho-) ERK1/2 and activated (phospho-) JNK expressions increased in three different fibroblasts. In media containing IFN α-2b, no apoptosis took place in three different fibroblasts without any change of expressions of Bax and Bcl-2 except for the expression of decreased Bcl-2 in fibroblasts from keloids. Activated (phospho-) ERK1/2 expression decreased in fibroblasts from keloid and hypertrophic scars without any changes of activated (phospho-) JNK expression, and IFN α-2b did not affect both activated (phospho-) ERK1/2 and activated (phospho-) JNK expressions in fibroblasts from normal skin. In media containing IL-1β, apoptosis of fibroblasts from keloids was induced by stimulating activated (phospho-) ERK1/2 and activated (phospho-) JNK pathways; IL-1β could not induce apoptosis of fibroblasts from normal skin (radio of Bax/Bcl-2 decreasing) whose activated (phospho-) ERK1/2 pathway was stimulated without any changes of activated (phospho-) JNK expression. Apoptosis in fibroblasts from hypertrophic scars was induced by activating the JNK pathway and prohibiting the ERK1/2 pathway. The effects of steroid, IFN α-2b, or IL-1β on apoptosis of different fibroblasts were different through different cell signal pathways, although all of them were effective for treatment of abnormal scars.

Compared to other ethnic groups Asians are more likely to be sensitive to alcohol, due to polymorphisms of alcohol-metabolizing enzymes. Although previous studies have found positive association between regular alcohol use and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (HsCRP), whether this association is modified by alcohol sensitivity has not been clarified. We therefore sought to examined this potential effect modification in a cross-sectional community sample with high prevalence of alcohol sensitivity, using data from 2903 men aged ≥50years recruited during phase 1 of the Guangzhou Biobank Cohort Study. Information on alcohol consumption and sensitivity (facial flushing, palpitation or dizziness after drinking) was obtained by questionnaire and HsCRP was measured by an immunoturbidometric assay. Elevated HsCRP was defined as HsCRP level equal to or higher than 2.81 mg/L(median). Excessive alcohol use was defined as use of ≥210 g ethanol per week. After adjustment for age, educational level, occupation, smoking status, physical activity and history of cardiovascular disease, alcohol use was associated with HsCRP in a dose-response pattern. The risks of elevated HsCRP were higher in those who drank daily (odds ratio (OR) = 1.38 (1.10, 1.72)) or drank excessively (1.57 (1.22, 2.02)), and were even higher in alcohol users with alcohol sensitivity (1.82 (1.24, 2.65) for daily users and 2.34 (1.48, 3.71) for excessive users). Results of this study have showed an important role of alcohol sensitivity in modifying the association between alcohol use and HsCRP level. Reduction of alcohol use should be an important public heath target, particularly among populations with high prevalence of alcohol sensitivity.

Three novel spin labeled N-(trifluoroacetyl) daunorubicins 6–8 have been synthesized under mild reaction condition in good yields. The antitumor activity of compound 6 and 8 were evaluated in vitro.

To investigate the association between psychological sub-healthy status and risks on injuries and related predictors among adolescents in China, in order to develop reasonable intervention programs.Adolescents were selected from middle schools and colleges in eight cities. Baseline status on sub-healthy that related to psycho-pathology was measured using the Multidimensional Sub-health Questionnaire of Adolescents (MSQA). Data on Self- or unintentional injuries were collected using a standardized injury surveillance questionnaire every 3 months, for three times (T0, T1, T2 and T3).A total of 12 113 students completed the study. Prevalence rates related to self-injury among boys and girls were 19.4% and 19.9%, respectively. The rates of having more than 4 types of self-injuries in boys and girls were 4.7% and 4.2%, respectively. Boys had a significantly higher unintentional injury rate than that of girls (62.2% vs. 57.3%). The differences in the rates of having more than 4 types of unintentional injury between boys (3.8%) and girls (3.4%) were also statistically significant. Rates on self- and unintentional-injuries increased in T1, T2 and T3 when the psychological symptoms had an increase. Data from Multiple regression analysis demonstrated that the baseline psychological sub-healthy status was a predictive factor for higher risk of self- and unintentional-injuries at each of the follow-up waves.Sub-healthy status of psycho-pathology was associated with an increased risk on self- and unintentional injuries among adolescents. Integrative psycho-pathological and behavioral intervention programs might help in reducing the risk of injuries among the Chinese adolescents.

To investigate the effects of three kinds of artificial dermal scaffolds on vascularization and scar formation of wounds in pigs with full-thickness burn.Eighteen Bama miniature pigs were divided into chitosan scaffold (CS) group, sulfonated carboxymethyl chitosan scaffold (SCCS) group, and acellular dermal matrix (ADM) scaffold group according to the random number table, with 6 pigs in each group. Every pig in all groups was inflicted with 4 or 8 full-thickness scald wounds on the back (totally 96 wounds). Forty-eight hours after injury, eschars of all wounds were excised. Twenty-four wounds in CS group were transplanted with double-layer artificial dermis of collagen-chitosan and silicone rubber, those in SCCS group with double-layer artificial dermis of collagen-sulfonated carboxymethyl chitosan and silicone rubber, and those in ADM scaffold group with ADM. The rest 24 wounds in the three groups were dressed with vaseline gauze as control group. After 2 weeks of treatment, all wounds of every group were covered with skin. In post treatment (scaffold transplantation or gauze covering) week (PTW) 1, 2, 3, and 4, gross condition of wound was observed, and specimens from central parts of wounds were harvested for observation and assessment of vessels or cells with positive expression of CD31, α smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), TGF-β(1) and TGF-β(3) with SP staining. Data were processed with one-way analysis of variance and LSD test.(1) Degree of vascularization in SCCS group was better than that in the other three groups. (2) The number of vessels with positive expression of CD31 in CS, SCCS, ADM scaffold, and control groups increased gradually from PTW 1 to PTW 3, and decreased in PTW 4. There were statistical differences among 4 groups from PTW 1 to PTW 4 (with F value respectively 24.005, 38.822, 25.274, 3.856, P0.05 or P0.01). The numbers of vessels that expressed CD31 in SCCS group from PTW 1 to PTW 3 were more than those in the other three groups (with P values all below 0.05). (3) The numbers of vessels that expressed α-SMA in CS, SCCS, and ADM scaffold groups from PTW 1 to PTW 3 showed the similar trend of change to those of vessels that expressed CD31, which increased gradually in control group from PTW 1 to PTW 4. There were obvious differences among 4 groups from PTW 1 to PTW 4 (with F value respectively 22.637, 28.087, 62.651, 18.055, P values all below 0.01). The number of vessels that expressed α-SMA in SCCS group from PTW 1 to PTW 4 was more than that in the other three groups (with P values all below 0.05). (4) From PTW 1 to PTW 4, the number of cells with expression of TGF-β(1) in CS group was respectively (127 ± 8), (167 ± 19), (170 ± 18), (144 ± 10) per 400 times visual field, that in SCCS group was respectively (171 ± 17), (207 ± 25), (130 ± 30), (69 ± 16) per 400 times visual field, that in ADM scaffold group was respectively (106 ± 8), (159 ± 17), (171 ± 11), (145 ± 11) per 400 times visual field, and that in control group was respectively (100 ± 20), (150 ± 18), (200 ± 14), (172 ± 20) per 400 times visual field. There were statistical differences among 4 groups from PTW 1 to PTW 4 (with F value respectively 29.675, 9.503, 13.107, 54.515, P values all below 0.01). Compared with those in SCCS group, the number of cells that expressed TGF-β(1) in the other three groups was decreased in PTW 1, 2 but increased in PTW 3, 4 (with P values all below 0.05). (5) The number of cells that expressed TGF-β(3) in 4 groups increased gradually from PTW 1 to PTW 3, and decreased or increased continually in PTW 4. There were statistical differences among 4 groups from PTW 1 to PTW 4 (with F value respectively 140.612, 945.850, 714.037, 119.147, P values all below 0.01). The number of cells with positive expression of TGF-β(3) in SCCS group from PTW 1 to PTW 4 was more than that in the other three groups (with P values all below 0.05).The collagen-sulfonated carboxymethyl chitosan dermal scaffold can rapidly induce growth and maturation of blood vessels during wound healing after burn. It is beneficial for wound repair at early stage with inhibition of scar proliferation.

To examine the association between self-assessed somatotypes and depression related symptoms.The study sample included 5555 students aged 9 to 18 years who had attended the Physical Fitness and Health Surveillance of Chinese School Students (2010) in Chizhou city, Anhui province. Association between self-assessed somatotypes, body mass index (BMI) and depression symptom were examined.There was a slight consistency between self-assessed somatotypes and BMI in both boys and girls (Kappa = 0.217, P = 0.000; Kappa = 0.203, P = 0.000). Significant difference in the prevalence of depression was found among weight misperception groups in both genders (χ(2) = 145.223, P = 0.000). The prevalence of underestimation of somatotypes was significantly higher in boys than in girls, while the result was reversive on the prevalence of overestimation. Additionally, the prevalence of depression was higher in girls than in boys (χ(2) = 5.199, P = 0.023). Through logistic regression, data showed that self-assessed somatotypes and miscalculated groups were significantly associated with depressive symptoms. Compared to the group that self-assessment as being normal, those students when self-assessed as being slim, overweight or obesity were more likely to be depressive, with odds ratio (ORs) as 1.255 (95%CI: 1.066 - 1.478), 1.538 (95%CI: 1.275 - 1.856) and 1.713 (95%CI: 1.035 - 2.834), respectively. Overestimated and underestimated somatotypes appeared to be risk factors causing symptoms of depression (OR = 1.705, 95%CI: 1.382 - 2.105; OR = 1.241, 95%CI: 1.059 - 1.454).Slight consistency was found between self-assessed somatotypes and BMI, while the misjudged somatotypes were the risk factor related to depressive symptoms. It was suggested that life skills education should be carried out as preventive intervention approach, to improve the physical and mental health well-being of children and adolescents.

To investigate the effects of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) DNA plasmids, encoded in collagen-sulfonated carboxymethyl chitosan porous scaffold, on the angiogenesis in full-thickness burn wounds.Wounds and pathological changes were observed at Week 1, 2, 3 and 4 after pure collagen-sulfonated carboxymethyl chitosan porous scaffold (group A) and collagen-sulfonated carboxymethyl chitosan porous scaffold encoding VEGF DNA plasmids (group B) were transplanted onto eachar-removed wounds of full-thickness burn in 6 Bama miniature pigs respectively. Wound healing was observed by pathologic slides after epidermal grafting for 2 weeks (at Week 4) onto the surface of different dermal scaffolds transplanted on wounds for 2 weeks. At the same time, new-forming vessels expressing CD31 and mature vessels expressing α-SMA (α-smooth muscle actin) and the expression of VEGF in wounds at Week 1, 2, 3 and 4 were detected in situ by immunohistochemical staining. The burn wounds without any transplanted scaffold (group C) were studied as the controls.Wounds with various scaffolds were different from those without any scaffold. Angiogenesis of the group B was better than that of the group A. Neo-forming micro-vessels expressing CD31 in the wounds of group A or B at Week 1, 2, 3 and 4 were as follows: 18.7 ± 3.1, 25.7 ± 2.3, 36.8 ± 2.526.2 ± 2.9; 24.5 ± 3.8, 32.3 ± 2.8, 39.2 ± 2.227.3 ± 3.0. Mature vessels expressing α-SMA: 11.7 ± 1.9, 20.5 ± 1.9, 35.0 ± 4.524.0 ± 2.8; 20.2 ± 3.1, 33.5 ± 3.7, 38.2 ± 4.526.5 ± 2.3. The expressions of VEGF: 48.7 ± 7.9, 141.7 ± 9.1, 201.5 ± 8.6107.0 ± 8.2; 97.3 ± 7.9, 172.3 ± 8.1, 208.7 ± 8.3114.0 ± 5.8. Expressing intensity of CD31, α-SMA and VEGF in the wounds of group C at Week 1, 2, 34: 6.0 ± 2.0, 9.8 ± 3.4, 19.3 ± 2.518.7 ± 2.2; 3.7 ± 2.0, 8.7 ± 1.8, 13.0 ± 2.514.0 ± 2.8; 3.5 ± 2.3, 10.3 ± 3.5, 23.0 ± 5.621.5 ± 5.1. There were significant statistical differences among three groups.Artificial dermal scaffold encoding exogenous pDNA-VEGF can promote a quicker angiogenesis through a high expression of VEGF. Thus a full-thickness burn wound may be better repaired.

To compare differences of angiogenesis among collagen- chitosan, collagen-sulfonated carboxymethyl chitosan porous scaffolds and acellular dermal matrix after these three different scaffolds with silicone membrane were transplanted on the wounds of full thickness burn, and the wound repair of different scaffolds with epidermis grafting on.Angiogenesis in different dermal scaffolds, the wound surface and epidermis survival were observed in 1, 2, and 3 weeks after the three different scaffolds were respectively transplanted on wounds of full thickness burn with debridement in 6 Bama miniature pigs (total 18 pigs in 3 groups). At the same time, CD34 positive signals (neo-forming microvessels) were detected by immunohistochemical staining. The wounds without any scaffold transplantation were studied as the control.Angiogenesis had been fundamentally finished in 2 weeks after implantation of collagen- sulfonated carboxymethyl chitosan porous scaffold. And fundamental angiogenesis in collagen- chitosan porous scaffolds and acellular dermal matrix needed at least 3 weeks. Neo-forming micro-vessels perpendicular to wound beds with these three different scaffolds were more than those in the control wounds without scaffold. CD34 positive signals (neo-forming micro-vessels) were significantly higher in wounds at the second week than those in wounds at the first week. And those in wounds at the third week were significantly higher than those in wounds at the second week in all wounds with different scaffold transplantations and the control wounds. CD34 positive signals in the group of sulfonated carboxymethyl chitosan porous scaffold on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd week after the scaffold transplantation were significantly higher than those corresponding signals in the other three groups. Epidermis on the sulfonated carboxymethyl chitosan porous scaffold which had been transplanted on burn wound for 1 week could survive perfectly, however, epidermis on the collagen- chitosan porous scaffold or acellular dermal matrix could not survive until these two scaffolds had been transplanted on the burn wounds for at least 2 weeks.These three different scaffolds could repair the full thickness skin defects caused by burn, and angiogenesis of sulfonated carboxymethyl chitosan porous scaffold is the best.

To investigate the roles and differences of angiogenesis of different dermal scaffolds on wound contraction and apoptosis during full-thickness burn wound repair.Wounds were observed at different time after the collagen-sulfonated carboxymethyl chitosan porous scaffold or collagen-chitosan porous scaffold or acellular dermal matrix were respectively transplanted on wounds of full thickness burn with debridement in Bama miniature pigs. At the same time, vessels and myo-fibroblasts expressing α-smooth muscle action(α-SMA) and apoptosis in wounds of different time were detected in situ by immunohistochemical staining, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate-biotin nick end labeling. The burn wounds without any scaffold transplantation were studied as the control.Wounds with different scaffolds transplantation were different from granulation wounds. Vessels expressing α-SMA had been increasing continuously in the wounds from 1 to 3 weeks after different scaffolds transplantation and decreased in wounds after epidermis had been grafted for 2 weeks on surface of the scaffolds transplanted on wounds for 2 weeks. Vessels expressing α-SMA were the most in the wounds with collagen-sulfonated carboxymethyl chitosan porous scaffold transplantation and the least in the control wounds without dermal scaffold at different time. Myo-fibroblasts expressing α-SMA was the least in the wounds with collagen-sulfonated carboxymethyl chitosan porous scaffold transplantation and the peak of expressions was on the 2nd week, however, the peak in the wounds with the other two scaffolds transplantation and in the control wound without dermal scaffold was on the 3rd week. Myo-fibroblasts expressing α-SMA was the most in the control wounds. Apoptosis had been increasing continuously in the transplantation wounds from 2 to 4 weeks after different scaffolds transplantation, however, apoptosis had begun to increase continuously from 3 to 4 weeks in the control wounds. Apoptosis was the most in the wounds with collagen-sulfonated carboxymethyl chitosan porous scaffold transplantation and the least in the control wounds without dermal scaffold from 3 to 4 weeks.Sulfonated carboxymethyl chitosan can promote migration of reparative cells and angiogenesis, and it can repair full-thickness burn wound fast and well.

Vegetation plays an important role in stabilizing soil and preventing soil erosion of slope. To reveal the stability of root-soil-complexes in riverbanks in WLFZ (water-level-fluctuation zone) of Three Gorges reservoir region, a research was conducted on four types slope, BS (bare slope), GS (slope of grass-herb), SS (slope of shrub) and FS (slope of forest), of similar soil texture and slope angle with different vegetation covers in Ruxi riverbanks. RLD (root length density), SWC (soil water content), FWC (field water capacity), ASS (soil anti-shearing strength) of each 10 cm soil layer in four types riverbank were measured. And the values of soil anti-erodibility and anti-scouribility in the 15 cm soil layer were also measured. The results showed that: (1) The EVs and EVe (enhancement value of soil anti-scouribility and of anti-erodibility) of SS were both larger and significantly higher than those of GS and FS while the values of GS and FS were small. (2) The RLD of GS, SS and FS was almost observed in the 30 cm surface soil layer and decreased with soil depth. FS had the highest RLD in every 10 cm soil layer and then the SS. (3) The SWC of BS increased with soil depth, but that of FS decreased with soil depth. The SWC and FWC of SS changed slowly in the 50 cm soil layer, and the FWC of FS and GS decreased with soil depth. The FWC of BS in 10 cm surface soil was the largest and then there was a trend of gradually increasing with soil depth in 20~50 cm layer. (4) The ASS value of GS was lower than those of other three slopes and that of FS had a little changes along the 30cm surface soil layer while it became higher at the 30~40cm soil layer. The ASS mean of the SS was highest at 0~10 cm, 20~30 cm and 40~50 cm soil layer, however, that of BS at the 10~20cm soil layer and that of FS at 30~40 cm soil layer were highest. It indicated that: (1) The soil anti-erosion capability of SS was better than that of FS and GS, and its physical soil properties in 50 cm layer was more stable than that of others; (2) The surface soil of FS, especially 10 cm soil layer, had a better soil water retention; (3) The BS had a low soil stability because of the larger changes over the parameters of all layers, especially in the shallow soil. (4) SS also had a better anti-shearing stability in the 0~30 cm soil layer than GS and FS. In conclusion, this is perhaps better construction of vegetation increases stability riverbank of WLFZ significantly. Shrubs and forest played good roles in binding soil and stabilizing slope, which could improve the ecological effects. And SS riverbank was the best stable one. Thus, in vegetation reconstruction in the WLFZ, more attention should be paid to restoration of shrubs in riverbanks.

Angiogenesis of dermal equivalent is one of the key issues for treatment of full thickness skin defects. To develop a gene-activated bilayer dermal equivalent (BDE), N,N,N-trimethyl chitosan chloride (TMC), a cationic gene delivery vector, was used to form complexes with the plasmid DNA encoding vascular endothelial growth factor-165 (VEGF-165), which was then incorporated into a collagen-chitosan/silicone membrane scaffold. To evaluate the angiogenesis property in vivo, full thickness skin defects were made on the back of pigs, into which the TMC/pDNA-VEGF complexes loaded BDE and other three control BDEs, i.e. the blank BDE, and the BDEs loaded with pDNA-VEGF and TMC/pDNA-eGFP complexes, respectively, were transplanted. Biopsy specimens were harvested at day 7, 10 and 14 after surgery for histology, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) and western blotting analyses. The results showed that the TMC/pDNA-VEGF group had the strongest VEGF expression in mRNA and protein levels, resulting in the highest densities of newly-formed and mature vessels. The ultra-thin skin graft was further transplanted onto the dermis regenerated by the TMC/pDNA-VEGF complexes loaded BDE at day 10 and well survived. At 112 days grafting, the healing skin had a similar structure and approximately 80% tensile strength of the normal skin.

To investigate biosynthetic and apoptotic mechanisms in repair of full thickness skin defect with collagen-chitosan porous scaffold transplantation, and to determinate differences between wound repair with the scaffold transplantation and scar healing without the scaffold transplantation.The full thickness skin defects were made on 10 Bama miniature pigs and the bilayer dermal equivalent (BDE) composed of collagen-chitosan porous scaffold and silicone membrane was transplanted on wounds. Surfaces of wounds were observed at 1, 2, and 3 weeks after the BDE transplantation, and so were done the wound repairs after epidermis had been grafted for 2 weeks on surface of the scaffold which had been transplanted on skin defect wounds for 2 weeks. At the same time, TGF-beta1 expressions, apoptosis and self collagen replacement of scaffolds in wounds were detected in situ by immunohistochemical staining, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) and picrosirius red polarized light. Wounds without scaffold transplantation were studied as control.1) Wounds with the scaffold transplantation were different from granulation tissue. 2) The peak of TGF-beta1 expression in the scaffold wounds was from 1 to 2 weeks after BDE transplantation, and TGF-beta1 expressions decreased continuously from 3 to 4 weeks. TGF-beta1 expressions increased continuously in the control wounds from 1 to 3 weeks and decreased on 4 weeks. TGF-beta1 expressions in the scaffold wounds on 1st and 2nd week were significantly higher than those in the corresponding control wounds, whereas, TGF-beta1 expressions in the scaffold wounds on 3rd and 4th week were significantly lower than those in the corresponding control wounds. 3) Apoptosis increased continuously in the scaffold wounds from 2 to 4 weeks after BDE transplantation, and so did in the control wounds from 3 to 4 weeks. However, apoptosis signals in the scaffold wounds on 2nd, 3rd, and 4th week after BDE transplantation were significantly more than those in the corresponding control wounds, and there was no difference between apoptosis signals in the scaffold wounds on 1st week after BDE transplantation and those in the corresponding control wounds. 4) Observation by picrosirius red polarized light method: self collagen began to synthesize in the scaffold wounds on 1st week after BDE transplantation, and scaffolds had been replaced by self collagen from 2 to 3 weeks after BDE transplantation.Collagen-chitosan porous scaffold plays a very important role in wound healing of full thickness skin defect. The mechanisms of wound repair by dermal scaffold are different from those by granulation and scar healing. It has a good future in repairing skin defect.

In this paper we employ detrended fluctuation analysis (DFA) technique to estimate the local Hurst exponent of Shanghai Stock Exchange Composite (SSEC) index, which is used to predict the crash or other drastic decreases in Chinese stock market. We assume the local Hurst exponent can be used to as a measurement of actual excitation or nervous state of the market before the displaying of market index. The empirical result shows that a very clear decreasing trend from greater than 0.5 to less than 0.5 in local Hurst exponent is visible, preceding the market drastic drop point. In-sample vs. out-of-sample tests confirm above viewpoint, showing that local Hurst exponent below 0.5 can be used as an important signal of stock return when stock index is going to face drastic drop, and it has more significant predict power than historical average return forecasting method. So we find efficient market hypothesis (EMH) doesn't receive support in Chinese stock market, and explore a new method for investment beyond the traditional technical analysis.

To investigate angiogenesis of collagen-chitosan porous scaffold, and to study survive of skin grafts on the scaffold after bilayer dermal equivalent (BDE) was transplanted on wounds with full thickness skin defects.The full thickness skin defects were made on 10 Bama miniature pigs and the BDE composed of collagen-chitosan porous scaffold and silicone membrane was transplanted on wound. Angiogenesis in dermal equivalent, wound healing, and healing and survive of skin grafts on dermal equivalent were observed in 1, 2, and 3 weeks after the BDE transplantation. At the same time, CD34 positive signals (neo-forming micro-vessels) were detected by immunohistochemical staining.Inflammatory cells and fibroblasts infiltrated into dermal equivalent and a few new micro-vessels had been formed in 1 week after the BDE transplantation; neo-forming micro-vessels perpendicular to wound bed had increased significantly in 2 weeks after the BDE transplantation; neo-forming micro-vessels could be observed in almost all dermal equivalents in 3 weeks after the BDE transplantation. CD34 positive signals (neo-forming micro-vessels) in 3 weeks after the BDE transplantation was much more than those in 2 weeks after the BDE transplantation, and CD34 positive signals in 2 weeks after the BDE transplantation was much more than those in 1 week after the BDE transplantation. Survival rate of intermediate split thickness skin graft were 10%, 70% and 100% respectively after the skin grafts had been grafted for 2 weeks on surface of the scaffold which had been transplanted for 1, 2 and 3 weeks. Epidermis which had been grafted on surface of the scaffold for 1 or 2 weeks could perfectly survive after BDE had been transplanted for 1 or 2 weeks.Collagen-chitosan porous scaffold plays a very important role in wound healing of full thickness skin defect and can induce fibroblast infiltration and new micro-vessel formation. Epidermis grafted on surface of collagen-chitosan porous scaffold can perfectly repair wounds, and it has brilliant applied prospects in repairing skin defect.

To investigate the effects of intralesional steroid, interferon alpha-2b or verapamil injection on proliferation, apoptosis and TGF-beta1 expression in keloid and hypertrophic scar in vivo.6 patients with keloids and 6 patients with hypertrophic scar were treated with intralesional injection of triamcinolone acetonide (40 mg/ml) or IFN alpha-2b (15 x 10(5) U/ml) or verapamil (2.5 mg/ml). Samples were collected on the 7th day after intralesional injection. Samples of untreated keloid and hypertrophic scar and normal skin were used as control. Expression of PCNA and TGF-beta1 was detected in situ by immunohistochemical staining, and apoptosis was detected in situ by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL).1) Triamcinolone acetonide could prohibit proliferative scars through inhibiting cell proliferation and TGF-beta1 expression, as well as inducing apoptosis. 2) IFN alpha-2b could prohibit proliferative scars through inhibiting cell proliferation and TGF-beta1 expression, but not inducing apoptosis; 3) Verapamil could also prohibit proliferative scars through inhibiting proliferation and TGF-beta1 expression in fibroblasts, as well as inducing apoptosis. While the effect of inducing apoptosis was stronger than that of triamcinolone acetonide, the effect of inhibiting TGF-beta1 expression was weaker than those of triamcinolone acetonide and IFN alpha-2b.Although intraleional injection of steroid, interferon alpha-2b or verapamil were all effective in the treatment of keloid and hypertrophic scar, their mechanisms are not similar.

This paper is to investigate the effects of steroid or IFN alpha-2b on apoptosis and cell pathway of fibroblasts from keloids, hypertrophic scars and normal skins and different responses of different fibroblasts.6 samples from keloid, hypertrophic scar and normal skin were collected respectively and fibroblasts from different sources were cultured in vitro. After different fibroblasts were treated with dexamethasone (0.1 mg/ml) or IFN alpha-2b (1000 U/ml), Bax and Bcl-2 protein expressions were detected in situ by immunohistochemical staining; DNA ladders of different fibroblasts were observed by gel electrophoresis; and relative activated (phospho-) ERK1/2 and JNK pathways were detected by method of FACE ELISA.Dexamethasone could induce apoptosis of fibroblasts from keloids, hypertrophic scars and normal skins through activating (phospho-) ERK1/2 and JNK pathways; IFN alpha-2b could not induce apoptosis of fibroblasts from different sources. IFN alpha-2b could inhibit (phospho-) ERK1/2 pathway and could not affect (phospho-) JNK pathways of fibroblasts from keloid and hypertrophic scar. IFN alpha-2b could affect neither (phospho-) ERK1/2 pathway nor (phospho-) JNK pathways of fibroblasts from normal skin.The responses of different fibroblasts to steroid or IFN alpha-2b were different.

Aim: The aim of the present study was to understand the role of retinoic acid (RA) in the development of isolated patent ductus arteriosus and the features of arterial duct-derived vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC). Methods: The VSMC were isolated, and the biological characteristics and the response to RA were investigated in the arterial duct, aorta, and pulmonary artery VSMC from 6 human embryonic samples. Western blotting, immunostaining, and cell-based ELISA were employed to analyze the proliferation regulation of VSMC. Results: The VSMC from the arterial duct expressed proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) at a significantly lower rate than those from the aorta and pulmonary artery, but expressed a higher level of Bax and Bcl-2. The expression level of PCNA or Bcl-2 was associated with the embryonic age. The effects of RA on the VSMC from the arterial duct were quite different from those from the aorta and pulmonary artery. In arterial duct VSMC, RA stimulated PCNA expression, but such stimulation could be suppressed by CD2366, an antagonist of nuclear retinoid receptor activation. In aorta or pulmonary artery VSMC, the expression response of PCNA to RA was insignificant. The ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 decreased in arterial duct VSMC after RA treatment due to the significant inhibition of Bax expression. Conclusion: The VSMC from the arterial duct possessed distinct biological behaviors. RA might be important in the development of ductus arteriosus VSMC.

To observe the effect of the early transplantation of double rectus abdominis musculo-cutaneous flaps on the repair of electrical injury of the wrist.The study involved six patients suffering from circumferential deep electrical burn with only small amount of normal skin left on the dorsal side. The wounds were covered with double rectus abdominis musculo-cutaneous flaps raised from the upper abdomen with pedicles in both proximal and distal ends at an early postburn stage. The postoperative recovery of wrist function and wound repair were evaluated.The wrist wounds in all the 6 patients were primarily healed, with perfect function and appearance.Early application of double rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flaps on the electrically injured wrists can promote the wound healing processes and plays important roles in the preservation of wrist function.

Three novel spin labeled N-(trifluoroacetyl) daunorubicins 6–8 have been synthesized under mild reaction condition in good yields. The antitumor activity of compound 6 and 8 were evaluated in vitro.

A dermal equivalent having a trilayered structure was designed by combining a silver nanoparticles incorporated chitosan film with a bilayer collagen-chitosan/silicon membrane dermal equivalent (BDE). The silver nanoparticles prepared at different conditions were characterized by UV-Vis and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The macroscopic sharp and the microstructure of the trilayer dermal equivalent (TDE) were also studied. Then, the in vitro antibacterial property of TDE was evaluated by the antibacterial zone test. The effect of the incorporated silver nanoparticles on the resistance of wound infection was further studied by the in vivo animal test. The results prove that the silver nanoparticles incorporated TDE has a better antibacterial property, thus may be potentially applied to a broader field in skin repair such as full thickness defect and burn.