Search

Nano-prodrug, one of the most widely used nano-formulation at present, has excellent efficacies in tumor treatment with high potential and clinical value. Camptothecin and its derivatives have broad prospects in the preparation of prodrugs for the treatment of tumors. Given the special microenvironment of tumors, including partial acidity, high concentration of reactive oxygen species, high concentration of glutathione and enzyme concentration, a large number of tumor microenvironment-responsive camptothecin and its derivative prodrugs were prepared. This paper classified them from the microenvironment response types and drug release characteristics, reviewed the research progress of camptothecin and its derivative prodrugs based on safety and clinical trials, and analyzed the existing problems and deficiencies, hoping to provide references for the development of camptothecin and its derivatives.

Purpose. We aimed to present our experience in anchoring technique and evaluate the efficacy and safety of unilateral percutaneous vertebroplasty in patients with neurologically intact Kümmell’s disease. Methods. From January 2014 to December 2017, 29 patients (17 males and 12 females) with neurologically intact Kümmell’s disease were operated on using anchoring technique in unilateral percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP). Ages of the enrolled patients ranged from 67 to 81 years (mean 73.8 years). Clinical efficacy was evaluated by back pain visual analogue scale (BP-VAS) score, Oswestry disability index (ODI) score, as well as the height of anterior border and the kyphotic angle of the involved vertebral body on a standing lateral radiograph. The safety of PVP was assessed by surgical-related complications, including bone cement leakage and neurological deficit. Results. All 29 patients underwent the PVP procedure successfully. The mean operation time was 35 ± 12 min. And all patients were able to walk/ambulate with a thoracolumbar brace after 12 to 24 hours, staying in bed postoperatively. Significantly statistical differences were observed in both BP-VAS and ODI scores at each time point of follow-up when compared with the preoperative condition (P<0.05). Besides, statistically significant improvement in radiographic measurements such as kyphotic angle and the height of the anterior border of the involved vertebral body between the preoperative and postoperative assessments was also observed (P<0.05) and asymptomatic leakage of cement occurred in 7 of 29 cases (24.1%). Conclusions. We considered that the anchoring technique in unilateral PVP could provide an effective and safe alternative for neurologically intact Kümmell’s disease.

Objective To compare the clinical efficacy and safety between minimally invasive and traditional open transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion in the treatment of single-level spondylolisthesis grades 1 and 2. Methods This was a systematic review and meta-analysis. A comprehensive literature retrieval was performed in 3 electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane library). Randomized or nonrandomized controlled studies published from January 2000 to April 2018 that compared minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF) with traditional open transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TO-TLIF) for treating single-level spondylolisthesis grades 1 and 2 were retrieved. Quality of included studies were evaluated by the modified Jadad scale. Data were extracted according to the predefined clinical outcome measures, including preoperative and postoperative back pain visual analogue scale and Oswestry Disability Index score; operation time and estimated intraoperative blood loss; length of hospitalization; and the complications, reoperation, and fusion rate. Results Six studies (n = 394 patients) were finally included. Two were randomized controlled trials and the remaining 4 were prospective or retrospective cohort studies. The pooled data revealed that both techniques had similar preoperative and last follow-up back pain visual analogue scale scores, complication rate, reoperation rate, and fusion rate. However, with the exception of more operation time, MIS-TLIF was associated with less intraoperative blood loss, shorter hospital stay, and better long-term functional outcome when compared with TO-TLIF. Conclusions Based on the available evidence, MIS-TLIF appears to be a more efficacious and safe technique with reduced tissue trauma, quicker postoperative recovery, and better long-term functional outcome for the treatment of single-level spondylolisthesis grades 1 and 2.

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a highly aggressive and malignant tumor. In this study, the effect and molecular mechanism of nuclear enriched abundant transcript 1 (NEAT1) in CCA were elucidated. The expressions of NEAT1, microRNA‐186‐5p (miR‐186‐5p), and PTP4A1 were measured by quantitative real‐time PCR. The protein levels were measured by Western blotting. Kaplan–Meier analysis was performed to create survival curves. The interactions between NEAT1, miR‐186‐5p, and PTP4A1 were assessed through the dual luciferase reporter assay. Additionally, the cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion were measured by colony formation, flow cytometry, the Transwell assay, and the wound healing assay, respectively. NEAT1 and PTP4A1 were significantly upregulated in CCA tissues and cells, but miR‐186‐5p was downregulated. NEAT1 expression was negatively correlated with the survival of CCA patients and has remarkable correlation with serum CA199 levels and lymph node metastasis. Besides, NEAT1 could act as a molecular sponge for miR‐186‐5p to upregulate PTP4A1 expression. More importantly, the knockdown of NEAT1 or overexpression of miR‐186‐5p inhibited the proliferation, migration and invasion of CCA cells, and the inhibition of miR‐186‐5p reversed the effects of the knockdown of NEAT1. In addition, NEAT1 could also activate the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway and regulate the epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) through the miR‐186‐5p/PTP4A1 axis. In conclusion, NEAT1 was involved in cell proliferation, migration and invasion in CCA, and the NEAT1/miR‐186‐5p/PTP4A1/PI3K/AKT axis indicated novel regulatory mechanisms and therapeutics for the treatment of CCA.

This was a retrospective study. We aimed to compare the clinical efficacy and safety between minimally invasive and traditional open transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion in the treatment of low-grade lumbar degenerative spondylolisthesis (LDS). 81 patients with LDS grades 1 and 2 treated in our spinal department from January 2014 to July 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. The MIS-TLIF group included 23 males and 11 females, while the TO-TLIF group included 29 males and 18 females. Follow-up points were set at 7 days, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months postoperatively and the last follow-up. Various clinical and radiological indicators were used to evaluate and compare the efficacy and safety between the two procedures. 8 cases (3 in the MIS-TLIF group and 5 in the TO-TLIF group) were loss of follow-up after discharge. And the remaining 73 patients were followed up for at least 2 years. No statistically significant difference was observed in the terms of age, sex, BMI, slippage grade, and surgical segments. The MIS-TLIF group had a longer operation and fluoroscopy time compared with the TO-TLIF group. But the MIS-TLIF group was associated with less blood loss, ambulation time, hospital stay, and time of return to work. In each group, significant improvement were observed in BP-VAS, ODI and vertebral slip ratio at any time-point of follow-up when compared with the preoperative condition. When the time-point of follow-up was less than 1 year, the MIS-TLIF group had significant advantages in the BP-VAS and ODI compared with TO-TLIF group. But no significant difference was observed in the BP-VAS and ODI at either 12 month follow-up or the last follow-up. Besides, no statistical difference was detected in vertebral slip ratio at any time-point of follow-up between the two groups. Successful intervertebral bone fusion was found in all patients and no significant difference was found in the incidence of total complications. Thus, we considered that MIS-TLIF and TO-TLIF both achieve satisfactory clinical efficacy in the treatment of low-grade single-segment LDS. But MIS-TLIF appears to be a more efficacious and safe technique with reduced tissue damage, less blood loss and quicker recovery.

Mental processes are recognized to be embodied, hence dependent upon functions of the body. Interoception (i.e., the sense of the internal bodily physiology) underpinning motivational states and emotional feelings, however, are mostly ignored within present sensory-motor accounts of embodiment. The inclusion of interoception within models of embodiment is important both for health psychology and for theories of cognition. Here, we deduce that reference to visceral organs, in language describing emotion concepts, should be viewed as metonymy (i.e., the mental mapping wherein a component is used to describe the whole), rather than metaphor (i.e., one familiar and concrete concept used to describe another unfamiliar and/or abstract concept that shares some similarities). This view contrasts with a dominant assumption within cognitive linguistics. We further argue that conceptual differences in the assumption about the body-mind-emotion relationship or emotional somatization, evident when comparing Chinese to standard English, is culturally and cognitively determined (e.g., by divergent Western and Chinese philosophical, medical traditions and meaning systems). We propose a new model in which two contending variables, bodily transparency and cognitive granularity, define cultural differences in emotion conceptualization, capturing the dynamic multidimensional interaction between body, mind, brain, language, and society.

The purpose of this research is to compare the clinical efficacy, postoperative complication and surgical trauma between anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion versus posterior laminoplasty for the treatment of oppressive myelopathy owing to cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL). Systematic review and meta-analysis. An comprehensive search of literature was implemented in three electronic databases (Embase, Pubmed, and the Cochrane library). Randomized or non-randomized controlled studies published since January 1990 to July 2017 that compared anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion (ACCF) versus posterior laminoplasty (LAMP) for the treatment of cervical oppressive myelopathy owing to OPLL were acquired. Exclusion criteria were non-human studies, non-controlled studies, combined anterior and posterior operative approach, the other anterior or posterior approaches involving cervical discectomy and fusion and laminectomy with (or without) instrumented fusion, revision surgeries, and cervical myelopathy caused by cervical spondylotic myelopathy. The quality of the included articles was evaluated according to GRADE. The main outcome measures included: preoperative and postoperative Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score; neuro-functional recovery rate; complication rate; reoperation rate; preoperative and postoperative C2–C7 Cobb angle; operation time and intraoperative blood loss; and subgroup analysis was performed according to the mean preoperative canal occupying ratio (Subgroup A:the mean preoperative canal occupying ratio

Objective: This narrative review provides an overview of the quantitative sensory testing (QST) to assess somatosensory function in human oral mucosa. Material and methods: A literature search was conducted in the PubMed database to identify studies in vivo on human oral mucosa using QST methods. A list of 149 articles was obtained and screened. A total of 36 relevant articles remained and were read in full text. Manual search of the reference lists identified eight additional relevant studies. A total of 44 articles were included for final assessment. Results: The included studies were divided into six categories according to the study content and objective. In each category, there was a great variety of aims, methods, participants and outcome measures. The application of QST has nevertheless helped to monitor somatosensory function in experimental models of intraoral pain, effects of local anesthesia, after oral and maxillofacial surgery and after prosthodontic and orthodontic treatment. Conclusions: QST has been proved to be sufficiently stable and reliable, and valuable information has been obtained regarding somatosensory function in healthy volunteers, special populations and orofacial pain patients. However, as most of the studies were highly heterogeneous, the results are difficult to compare quantitatively. A standardized intraoral QST protocol is recommended and expected to help advance a mechanism-based assessment of neuropathies and other intraoral pain conditions.

Introduction: The benzopyran derivatives present a wide variety of biological activity and behaviour. At the same time the benzopyran derivatives support their use as therapeutic agents for multiple diseases. Their structural characteristics correlated to physicochemical properties seem to define the extent of the biological activity.Areas covered: This review summarizes new patents published on new benzopyran derivatives from 2009 to 2016.Expert opinion: Many benzopyran derivatives have vivo/vitro biological responses. Their clinical evaluation will be critical to assess therapeutic utility. The compounds containing benzopyran moiety is well defined as lead compounds for design of new more promising molecules.

The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical effect of anterior cervical corpectomy with fusion vs laminoplasty for cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament. The outcome measures included the Japanese Orthopaedic Association score, neurological recovery rate, and complication rate. Subgroup A represented studies with the mean preoperative canal occupying ratio being less than 50%, whereas subgroup B represented studies with the mean canal occupying ratio being 50% or greater. In subgroup A, no difference was found between the 2 groups in the postoperative Japanese Orthopaedic Association score and neurological recovery rate. In subgroup B, the anterior cervical corpectomy with fusion group had a higher postoperative Japanese Orthopaedic Association score and neurological recovery rate. The authors recommend anterior cervical corpectomy with fusion for cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament when the canal occupying ratio is 50% or greater, and they prefer laminoplasty when the canal occupying ratio is less than 50%. [ Orthopedics. 2019; 42(3):e309–e316.]

Objective We aimed to discuss the surgical strategies, safety and clinical efficacy of percutaneous endoscopic transforaminal decompression for the treatment of patients with migrated lumbar disc herniation. Methods This is a retrospective study. From May 2014 to April 2017, a total of 56 patients (32 men and 24 women) with migrated lumbar disc herniation were operated on by percutaneous endoscopic decompression via transforaminal approach. All enrolled patients had clinical symptoms with radiculopathy, and were identified as single-level, soft herniated disc by computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. Clinical efficacy were evaluated chiefly by leg pain visual analogue scale score, Oswestry disability index score, and modified MacNab criteria. Results Patients were all successfully treated by percutaneous endoscopic transforaminal decompression, with an mean operation time of 63 ± 12 minutes. The patients were followed up for a mean duration of 15 ± 2.7 months (range 12–18 months). The leg pain visual analogue scale score was dropped from 8.2 ± 1.9 preoperatively to 2.4 ± 1.5, 2.2 ± 1.3, and 1.8 ± 1.1 at 1, 6, and 12 months after the operation, respectively. Similarly, the Oswestry disability index score was also decreased from 62.4 ± 8.2 preoperatively to 18.4 ± 6.2, 12.6 ± 5.1, and 9.2 ± 3.4 at 1, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. There were 38 excellent cases, 13 good cases, and 5 fair cases by the assessment method of modified MacNab criteria at 12 months after the operation, with an excellent and good rate of 91.07%. Two cases were complicated with low extremity numbness, which were recovered by conservative treatment in 3 weeks. No persistent neurological deficit or infection occurred in this group postoperatively. Conclusions We consider that percutaneous endoscopic decompression via transforaminal approach provided a safe, effective and minimally invasive alternative for the treatment of patients with migrated lumbar disc herniation.

Aims: To determine whether patients with painful myofascial temporomandibular disorders (TMD) demonstrate facilitated temporal summation (TS) responses to painful heat stimuli applied to the painful trigeminal and extratrigeminal regions and whether there is a side difference in the trigeminal region for myofascial TMD pain patients compared to healthy controls. Methods: Twenty female Chinese myofascial TMD pain patients and 20 age-matched female volunteers participated in this case-control study. Thermal detection thresholds, thermal pain thresholds, and TS of 20 repetitive noxious thermal stimuli were measured on the skin above the masseter muscle on both sides and the thenar eminence of the less painful side/dominant hand. Numeric rating scale (NRS) scores of pain were provided after the 1st, 5th, 10th, 15th, and 20th stimuli, and TS was calculated as the highest NRS score minus the first NRS score in each test. Results: Evidence of TS was found in the trigeminal and extratrigeminal regions for both groups, but with facilitated TS responses in myofascial TMD pain patients (P < .001). Within the myofascial TMD group and control group, there were no side-to-side differences (P > .289). Interestingly, the repetition of the TS test was associated with facilitated responses in myofascial TMD pain patients (P < .001). Conclusion: The current findings suggest TS of painful heat stimulation is facilitated in myofascial TMD pain patients with no side difference in the trigeminal region.

Based on telomerase, thirteen novel phenstatin moiety linked stavudine derivatives (8a∼8e and 11a∼11f) were synthesized. The structures were determined by NMR and TOF-HRMS. The screening results showed that some compounds had better anti-cancer activity in vivo and in vitro. Among them, Compound 8d showed high inhibitory activity against telomerase and showed good antiproliferative activity against SGC-7901 cell with IC50 value 0.77 μM by inducing cell cycle arrest at G2 phase. It also could improve SGC-7901 cell apoptosis, mitochondrial membrane potential assay indicated that the dissipation of MMP might participate in apoptosis induced by title compound. In vivo studies showed that compound 8d displayed potent anticancer activity with inhibition tumor growth.

Objective The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to compare the clinical efficacy between percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy (PELD) versus posterior open lumbar microdiscectomy (OLMD) for the treatment of symptomatic lumbar disc herniation. Methods We performed a comprehensive retrieval of related studies in 4 electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library). Randomized or nonrandomized controlled trials reported from January 1990 to December 2017 that compared PELD versus OLMD for the treatment of symptomatic lumbar disc herniation were acquired. The quality of randomized controlled trials was evaluated by the criteria of the Cochrane Back Review Group, and the quality of cohort studies was assessed according to the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. The primary outcome measurements included preoperative and postoperative visual analog scale (VAS) score of sciatica; the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) before and after surgery; the Excellent and Good outcome rate based on Macnab criteria. The secondary outcome measurements included the incidence of complication, residual disk, recurrence, and reoperation; operation time; hospital stay; and time to return to work. Two authors independently extracted data and assessed each study for quality. Results Nine studies with 1585 patients were included in our meta-analysis. Two were randomized controlled trials and the remaining 7 were retrospective cohort studies. The forest plots showed that no statistically significant difference was observed between the 2 groups in terms of preoperative and postoperative VAS score of sciatica, ODI before and after surgery, the Excellent and Good outcome rate, the complication rate, and the incidence of recurrence and reoperation. However, the PELD group had a higher incidence of residual disk or incomplete decompression than did the OLMD group. In addition, no significant difference was detected in the operation time between the 2 groups, but the PELD group was associated with shorter hospital stay and time of return to work. Conclusions Based on the present meta-analysis, no significant difference existed in VAS and ODI scores between the 2 surgical procedures, and they were also similar in terms of operation time, complication rate, and incidence of recurrence and reoperation, but PELD showed shorter hospital stay and time of return to work. Thus, under the premise of careful manipulation and complete decompression, we consider that PELD is a relatively more minimally invasive technique, which could be an alternative to OLMD.

Stroke is currently the leading cause of functional impairments worldwide. Folate supplementation is inversely associated with risk of ischemic stroke. Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) is an important enzyme involved in folate metabolism. The aim of this study is to examine whether genetic variants in MTHFR gene are associated with the risk of ischemic stroke and fasting total serum homocysteine (tHcy) level. We genotyped nine tag SNPs in the MTHFR gene in a case-control study, including 543 ischemic stroke cases and 655 healthy controls in China. We found that subjects with the rs1801133 TT genotype and rs1801131 CC genotype had significant increased risks of ischemic stroke (adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 1.82, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.27–2.61, p = 0.004; adjusted OR = 1.99, 95% CI: 1.12–3.56, p = 0.01) compared with subjects with the major alleles. Haplotype analysis also found that carriers of the MTHFR CTTCGA haplotype (rs12121543-rs13306553-rs9651118-rs1801133-rs2274976-rs1801131) had a significant reduced risk of ischemic stroke (adjusted OR = 0.53, 95% CI: 0.35–0.82) compared with those with the CTTTGA haplotype. Besides, the MTHFR rs1801133 and rs9651118 were significantly associated with serum levels of tHcy in healthy controls (p < 0.0001 and p = 0.02). These findings suggest that variants in the MTHFR gene may influence the risk of ischemic stroke and serum tHcy.

To investigate the effects of 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA)-mediated photodynamic therapy (PDT) on dermal fibroblasts from hypertrophic scars (HSs).HS samples were obtained from five patients who underwent surgery, and normal skin from healthy donors was used as a control. Dermal fibroblasts were isolated and cultured with various concentrations of ALA for 6 h. Intracellular protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) was measured by confocal microscopy. After 5 h of ALA treatment, cells were irradiated by a red laser (635 nm wavelength) at a power density of 10 mW/cm(2) with an energy density from 0.5 to 4 J/cm(2). Cell survival was measured by a CCK-8 Kit after 24 h. Cell death was detected by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling and flow cytometric analysis of annexin V.Intracellular PpIX accumulation was observed in fibroblasts from HS patients and healthy donors after ALA treatment. After laser irradiation, viable cells were decreased among both cell types in a dose-dependent manner with energy density. In addition, apoptotic cell death was observed with low dose PDT, whereas necrotic cells were increased by high dose PDT.HS-derived fibroblasts efficiently accumulate PpIX after ALA treatment and can be eliminated via apoptosis by controlled laser irradiation.

Hepatitis B virus-associated glomerulonephritis (HBV-GN) is recognized as one of the major secondary nephropathies in HBV high-risk areas. To determine possible differences in the expression of HBV immune markers in tissues, we retrospectively examined HBV immune markers in the serum, renal tissues, and liver tissues in 132 HBV-GN children.All 132 patients had biopsy-proven HBV-GN including the presence of positive HBV antigens in the kidney. Serum-HBV immune markers were tested by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Renal and liver biopsies were done in 26 patients. All renal tissues were examined for HBV immune markers by immunofluorescence, and liver tissues were examined by immunohistochemistry.Among the 132 patients, all showed varying degrees of kidney injury. Serum hepatitis B envelope antigen (HBeAg) was positive in 80 patients and negative in 52 patients. The positivity rate of Hepatitis B core antigen in renal tissue was statistically higher in serum HBeAg (-) than in serum HBeAg (+) patients (96.2% vs. 55.0%). Furthermore, there was no relationship between the presence of hepatitis B surface antigen and HBcAg in liver and renal tissue.HBV markers are not consistently present in serum, renal tissues, and liver tissues in children with HBV-GN.

We report a typical case of hematidrosis in a Chinese girl who had experienced frequent bleeding episodes for more than 3 years. During hospitalization, spontaneous bleeding from her intact skin was witnessed by our staff on more than 20 occasions. Characteristically, bloody droplets from the intact skin contained all blood components. Histopathologic examination showed some inconspicuous abnormalities, with normal sweat gland structure containing no blood, and bloody exudate also came from some areas that do not contain sweat glands. We believe that the blood was mixed with a sweat-like fluid, rather than real sweat. The patient's bleeding problem was dramatically resolved by treatment with propranolol. We suggest that sympathetic nerve activation might play a role in these events, and that β-adrenoceptor antagonists might be an effective treatment for this disorder.

Cell division cycle 2 (CDC2) is always overexpressed in malignant tumor cells and is correlated with chemosensitivity, but it is unclear whether CDC2 overexpression contributes to the chemoresistance potential of glioma cells. The aim of study was to determine the relationship of CDC2 expression with the prognosis and chemoresistance of glioblastoma. In this study, the glioblastoma U87 and U251 cell lines were steadily transfected with a lentivirus vector expressing a short hairpin RNA-targeting CDC2. Expression of CDC2 was evaluated in glioblastoma and cell lines by immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis. The relationship between CDC2 expression and clinicopathological characteristics was analyzed. Using RNA interference, the effects of CDC2 on chemosensitivity to temozolomide (TMZ) were investigated in U87 and U251 cell lines in vitro. Combined CDC2 knockdown and TMZ treatment inhibited cell proliferation and induced apoptosis in vitro more effectively than either treatment alone. qRT-PCR and Western blot analysis showed that cells underexpressing CDC2 revealed lower expression of the anti-apoptotic protein B cell lymphoma-2 and increased expression of the apoptosis effector caspase-3 compared to U87 and U251 cells transfected with a control vector. Furthermore, expression levels of CDC2 in U87 and U251 cells were related to the IC50 of the antitumor drug TMZ. Knockdown of CDC2 expression was associated with decreased expression of Ral-binding protein 1, a classical chemotherapy drugs transporter. These results indicate that the ability to suppress the malignant phenotype by down-regulating CDC2 expression may provide a new gene therapy approach for overcoming CDC2-associated chemoresistance in patients with malignant glioma.

Although interventional regimens have rightly become the gold standard treatment for the control of haemoptysis, medication, especially vasoconstrictor medication, is still routinely administered in the clinic. The vasoconstrictor posterior pituitary hormone is the most commonly prescribed drug for the management of haemoptysis in China. However, vasoconstrictor therapy has various adverse effects, some of which may be severe, and is ineffective in a few patients.

The Wnt/β-catenin or canonical Wnt signaling pathway plays fundamental roles in early development and in maintaining adult tissue homeostasis. R-spondin 3 (Rspo3) is a secreted protein that has been implicated in activating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling in amphibians and mammals. Here we report that zebrafish Rspo3 plays a negative role in regulating the zygotic Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Zebrafish Rspo3 has a unique domain structure. It contains a third furin-like (FU3) domain. This FU3 is present in other four ray-finned fish species studied but not in elephant shark. In zebrafish, rspo3 mRNA is maternally deposited and has a ubiquitous expression in early embryonic stages. After 12 hpf, its expression becomes tissue-specific. Forced expression of rspo3 promotes dorsoanterior patterning and increases the expression of dorsal and anterior marker genes. Knockdown of rspo3 increases ventral-posterior development and stimulates ventral and posterior marker genes expression. Forced expression of rspo3 abolishes exogenous Wnt3a action and reduces the endogenous Wnt signaling activity. Knockdown of rspo3 results in increased Wnt/β-catenin signaling activity. Further analyses indicate that Rspo3 does not promote maternal Wnt signaling. Human RSPO3 has similar action when tested in zebrafish embryos. These results suggest that Rspo3 regulates dorsoventral and anteroposterior patterning by negatively regulating the zygotic Wnt/β-catenin signaling in zebrafish embryos.

Hereditary opalescent dentin is a rare autosomal dominant inherited disease of dentin development. A case of hereditary opalescent dentin was reported, and the pathogenesis, family tree and restoration methods were reviewed.

To study and identify the protein markers in the urine of children with steroid-sensitive (SSNS) and steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome(SRNS).Total urinary proteins were extracted from children with SSNS before and after steroid therapy, SRNS, and healthy children (n=5 in each group). Urinary proteins were separated by immobilized pH gradient based on two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE). The silver-stained 2-DE gels were scanned with digital Image Scanner and analyzed with Image Master 2-DE Elite 3.01 software. Peptide mass fingerprint (PMF) of differential protein spots was obtained with MALDI-TOF-MS. Proteins were identified by Mascot software based on NCBI protein database.There were 66 spots with different expression of protein between SRNS children and SSNS children before steroid therapy, and 24 spots and 27 spots only occurred in SRNS children and SSNS children before steroid therapy, respectively. There were 75 spots with different expression of protein between SSNS children after steroid therapy and healthy controls, and 11 spots only occurred in SSNS children after steroid therapy. Eighteen protein spots with different expression (6 spots in each nephrotic group) were chose and analyzed by MALDI-TOF-MS, and 9 types of proteins were identified.Nine types of urinary proteins with different expression (6 spots in each nephrotic group) were identified between SRNS and SSNS children, and they might be the biomarkers for SRNS or SSNS.

To investigate the correlation between the number and activity of circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), insulin resistance and severity of coronary lesions in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).Patients with coronary angiography evidenced CAD were divided in insulin resistance group (IR, n = 25) and insulin sensitive group (IS, n = 44) according to insulin level, 25 health volunteers served as control. Circulating EPCs were marked as KDR/CD133+ cells via fluorescence-activated cell sorter analysis. EPCs were also isolated from peripheral blood and cultured in vitro for 7 days, identified by DiI-acLDL uptake and lectin staining methods. EPCs migration activities were determined by modified Boyden chamber assay, EPCs proliferation activities were determined by MTT assay.Circulating EPCs number was significantly lower in IR group compared with IS group [(0.34 +/- 0.08) per thousand vs. (0.47 +/- 0.09) per thousand, P0.01] and control group (P0.05). Both insulin resistance index (r = -0.291, P = 0.01)and Gensini score (r = -0.3984, P = 0.006)were negatively correlated with number of circulating EPCs. Proliferation and migration capacities of EPCs were also significantly lower in IR group compared to those in IS group (all P0.05) and control group (all P0.05).Insulin resistance/hyperinsulinemia could aggravate severity of coronary artery lesions via reducing the number and activities of circulating EPCs in patients with CAD.

To establish a urinary proteomic map on two-dimensional polyacrylamide gelelectrophoresis (2-DE) in children with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS).The proteins from INS children were purified by four various means, separated by 2-DEand stained by silver.The sequential preparation of urinary proteins by acetone precipitation and dislysis, when the sample was 300 microg, resulted in a clear background, well-resolved and reproducible 2-DE urinary protemic map in children with INS.A steady 2-DE technique for urinary protemic map in children with INS was established, which can be effectively applied in urinary proteomics of the disease.

To assess the effect of the thickness of periodontal ligament on the fracture resistance of root and post-core system.Forty-five simulated roots in the same length, taper and diameter were made of polymethacrylate (PMMA). Then the wax patterns of post-cores were cast. Soft lining material was used to simulated periodontal ligament. And each specimen was embedded in acrylic resin and then fixed in a special jig on the universal load-testing machine. A compressive load was applied at a 90-degree angle to the long axis of the core until fracture, at a crosshead speed of 1 mm/min. The maximum of load and the displacement were recorded.The mean values of load in root and post-core system were 148.033 N, 161.889 N, 168.667 N, 181.589 N, 194.622 N, and the mean values of displacement were 1.965 mm, 2.837 mm, 3.327 mm, 3.927 mm, 5.326 mm.The fracture resistance and displacement of root and post-core system with the same quality and altitude periodontal ligament are associated with the thickness of periodontal ligament when the range of thickness is from 0.2 mm to 1.0 mm.

To investigate the value of in vivo proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) in the assessment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and monitor its metabolic change shortly after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE).In this prospective study, 28 consecutive patients with large HCC (or = 3 cm in diameter) confirmed by fine needle aspiration biopsy were recruited. The 1H MRS of all hepatic lesions and some uninvolved liver parenchyma were performed with 1. 5T whole body MR scanner. Among them, 15 cases were evaluated again about one week after TACE. The main metabolites such as choline and lipid before and after interventional therapy were measured to assess the early response of the tumor.The technical success rate of 1H MRS in liver was high (33/41, 80%), closely related to breath motion, location of lesion, and size of voxel. In spectra, the choline compound peak of HCC elevated compared with uninvolved liver parenchyma. After TACE, both the amplitude and the area of choline resonance peak significantly descended (choline-to-lipid ratios from 0.352 +/- 0.080 to 0.167 +/- 0.030, P = 0.026; from 0.205 +/- 0.060 to 0.070 +/-0.020, P = 0.042, respectively); yet lipid resonance peak ascended.In vivo 1H MRS is technically feasible for the evaluation of large focal hepatic lesions, however, the reproducibility and stability are not as good as routine MR scan. 1H MRS can monitor the early stage metabolic changes of HCC after TACE but limitation like quantification still exists.

To study the effect of bacterial infection, use of antibiotics, active bleeding at endoscopy, and the severity of liver disease as prognostic factors in hepatic cirrhotic patients during the first 5 days after the episode of esophageal or gastric variceal hemorrhage.Seventy-six hepatic cirrhosis patients with esophageal or gastric variceal bleeding were enrolled. Bleeding was managed in a standardized protocol using octreotide and vasopressin in sclerotherapy or band ligation for active bleeding at endoscopy. The screening protocol for bacterial infection consisted of chest radiograph; blood, urine and ascitic fluid cultures; the severity of liver disease shown by Child-Pugh score.Active bleeding was observed at endoscopy in 40 patients (53%). Failure to control bleeding within 5 days occurred in 36 patients (45%). Empirical antibiotic treatment was used in 53 patients (67%), whereas bacterial infections were documented in 43 patients (57%). Multivariate analysis showed that proven bacterial infection (P0.01) or antibiotic use (P0.05) as well as active bleeding at endoscopy (P0.01) and Child-Pugh score (P0.01) were independent prognostic factors of failure to control bleeding.Bacterial infection is associated with failure to control esophageal or gastric variceal bleeding in hepatic cirrhotic patients.