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Evodiamine is a natural product extracted from herbal plants such as Tetradium which has shown to have anti-fat uptake and anti-proliferation properties. However, the effects of evodiamine on the behavior of thyroid cancers are largely unknown. To determine if evodiamine might be useful in the treatment of thyroid cancer and its cytotoxic mechanism, we analyzed the impact of evodiamine treatment on differential protein expression in human thyroid cancer cell line ARO using lysine-labeling two-dimensional difference gel electrophoresis (2D-DIGE) combined with mass spectrometry (MS). This study demonstrated 77 protein features that were significantly changed in protein expression and revealed evodiamine-induced cytotoxicity in thyroid cancer cells involves dysregulation of protein folding, cytoskeleton, cytoskeleton regulation and transcription control. Our work shows that this combined proteomic strategy provides a rapid method to study the molecular mechanisms of evodiamine-induced cytotoxicity in thyroid cancer cells. The identified targets may be useful for further evaluation as potential targets in thyroid cancer therapy., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a disease that affects patients worldwide. DNA of dead cells is released into the blood stream and may be isolated from plasma or serum samples. This DNA is termed cell-free DNA (cfDNA). cfDNA is increased in several types of malignancies. We investigated if there was a correlation between cfDNA levels and the progression of OSCC., Methods: Using quantitative spectrometry, we measured plasma cfDNA in 121 patients with OSCC and 50 matched controls. Mann Whitney and Wilcoxon tests were used to compare differences among various clinical variants. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to obtain levels suitable for the separation of the clinical subsets. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to assess correlation with survival., Results: Plasma cfDNA was significantly elevated in patients with OSCC relative to controls. Plasma cfDNA levels correlated with larger tumor size, cervical lymph node metastasis and late stage. Higher plasma cfDNA levels were associated with a poor prognosis of OSCC, which is a new finding., Conclusion: Plasma cfDNA could serve as a novel and easily accessible biomarker in OSCC, providing diagnostic and prognostic value.

Shallow-water hydrothermal vent ecosystems are distinct from the deep-sea counterparts, because they are in receipt of sustenance from both chemosynthetic and photosynthetic production and have a lack of symbiosis. The trophic linkage and energy flow in these ecosystems, however remain elusive, which allows us poor understanding of the whole spectrum of biological components distributed across such environmental gradients. In this study, a thorough isotopic survey was conducted on various biological specimens and suspended particulates collected along four transects across the venting features of a shallow-water hydrothermal field off Kueishan Island, Taiwan. The isotope data combined with a Bayesian-based mixing model indicate that the vent-associated particulate organic matter (vent POM), as primary contribution of chemoautotrophic populations, has a high δ13C value (-18.2 ± 1.1‰) and a low δ15N value (-1.7 ± 0.4‰). Zooplankton and epibenthic crustaceans, as the fundamental consumers, exhibit δ13C and δ15N values ranging from -21.3 to -19.8‰ and +5.1 to +7.5‰, respectively, and can utilize the vent POM for 38-53% of their diets. The vent-obligate crab Xenograpsus testudinatus shows a large variation in δ13C (from -18.8 to -13.9‰) and δ15N values (from 1.1 to 9.8‰), although an omnivorous trophic level (2.5) is identified for it using δ15N values of amino acids, and it can utilize the vent POM for 6-87% of its diet. The consistently low (< 10.0‰) and overlapping δ15N values for most of the analyzed macroinvertebrates suggest extensive ingestion of chemosynthetic production complementing the photosynthetic production, a weak prey-predator relationship and low trophic complexity possibly imposed by the extreme environmental contexts of shallow-water hydrothermal ecosystems., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Scrub typhus is becoming a clinically important cause of acute undifferentiated febrile illness in Taiwan. The incubation period is between 6 and 21 days after exposure. It is transmitted by chiggers (larva of trombiculid mite) in long grasses and in dirt-floor homes, with infection characterized by a flu-like illness of fever, headache, and myalgia lasting approximately 1 week. It has various systemic manifestations, including GI symptoms. In some, the illness progresses to multiorgan dysfunction syndrome and death. We report on a 13-year-old boy who lived in Taipei City and who had initially tentative diagnosis of acute pyrexia of unknown origin with high fever up to 40.3°C for 1 week, but later had thrombocytopenia and diffuse abdominal pain with peritoneal sign suspected acute appendicitis. During the clinical course, septic shock and disseminated intravascular coagulopathy (DIC) were noted. There were skin rash in his trunk and extremities and an eschar with black crust surrounded by a scaling erythematous rim on his right buttock. In addition, we got the information of his travel history in Green Island and Orchid Island for 10 days.With the correct antibiotics, vancomycin, meropenem, and doxycycline, the patient was getting better and corresponding with high level of granulysin and tumor necrosis factor-alpha. The diagnosis of scrub typhus was confirmed by the biopsy of eschar and high quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction values of Orientia tsutsugamushi (16sRNA and 56 kDa) tested by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Taiwan. Histopathological findings of the eschar revealed the leukocytoclastic vasculitis, crust and thrombus formation with many gram-negative microorganisms, O. tsutsugamushi demonstrated by 47 kDa monoclonal antibody immunohistochemical stain and electromicroscopy., Outcomes: After the careful selection of appropriate antibiotics including meropenem, vancomycin, and doxycycline, he recovered and was subsequently discharged 7 days after admission., Lesson Subsections: This case highlights that scrub typhus infection can mimic acute abdomen and septic shock with DIC. This rare presentation of acute abdomen and septic shock with thrombocytopenia and DIC caused by scrub typhus should remind physicians to be alert to the possibility of acute abdomen and febrile illness resulting from scrub typhus.

Background: The Identification and Management of Feeding Difficulties (IMFeD™) tool was introduced in 2011 for management of children with feeding difficulties and has been used in various countries around the world. This study aimed to assess its acceptance and effectiveness in clinical practice in Taiwan., Methods: This was a prospective, observational, multicenter study where subjects were followed over 3 months. Outpatients identified as picky eaters, having poor appetite, poor weight gain, or weight loss were enrolled. The acceptance and effectiveness of IMFeD tool were evaluated by caregivers and pediatricians., Results: Among 423 children who completed the study (235 boys, 188 girls; 78.8% aged <5 years, 21.3% aged 6-10 years), the most common feeding difficulties were poor appetite in a fundamentally vigorous child (85.3%) and highly selective intake (70.2%). Mean percentiles for height and weight were 34.6 ± 25.3 and 20.3 ± 21.3 at enrolment, and increased by 5.4 and 5.9 (p < 0.0001) at the last visit, respectively. Most caregivers (86.5%) thought that the IMFeD tool helped them to understand and better identify picky eating behaviors. Pediatricians reported that the IMFeD tool was effective in 99.3% of patients for managing picky eaters in clinical practice., Conclusions: The IMFeD tool was effective in addressing differences in needs according to type of feeding difficulty by providing a systematic approach to manage feeding difficulty in Taiwanese children. It is applicable to the clinical practice and well-accepted by pediatricians and caregivers., (Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

The emerging field of plasmonics has promoted applications of optical technology, especially in plasmon-enhanced spectroscopy (PES). However, in plasmon-enhanced fluorescence (PEF), "metal loss" could significantly quench the fluorescence during the process, which dramatically limits its applications in analysis and high-resolution imaging. In this report, silver core silica shell-isolated nanoparticles (Ag@SiO 2 NPs or SHINs) with a tunable thickness of shell are used to investigate the interactions between NPs and emitters by constructing coupling and noncoupling modes. The plasmonic coupling mode between Ag@SiO 2 NPs and Ag film reveals an exceeding integrating spectral intensity enhancement of 330 and about 124 times that of the radiative emission rate acceleration for shell-isolated nanoparticle enhanced phosphorescence (SHINEP). The experimental findings are supported by theoretical calculations using the finite-element method (FEM). Hence, the SHINEP may provide a novel approach for understanding the interaction of plasmon and phosphorescence, and it holds great potential in surface detection analysis and singlet-oxygen-based clinical therapy.

Aims: Honokiol is a natural product extracted from herbal plants such as the Magnolia species which have been shown to exhibit anti-tumor and anti-metastatic properties. However, the effects of honokiol on thyroid cancers are largely unknown., Materials and Methods: To determine whether honokiol might be useful for the treatment of thyroid cancer and to elucidate the mechanism of toxicity of honokiol, we analyzed the impact of honokiol treatment on differential protein expression in human thyroid cancer cell line ARO using lysine-labeling two-dimensional difference gel electrophoresis (2D-DIGE) combined with mass spectrometry (MS)., Key Findings: This study revealed 178 proteins that showed a significant change in expression levels and also revealed that honokiol-induced cytotoxicity in thyroid cancer cells involves dysregulation of cytoskeleton, protein folding, transcription control and glycolysis., Significance: Our work shows that combined proteomic strategy provides a rapid method to study the molecular mechanisms of honokiol-induced cytotoxicity in thyroid cancer cells. The identified targets may be useful for further evaluation as potential targets in thyroid cancer therapy., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background & Aims: Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are expressed in tissue-specific pattern, but it is not clear how these are regulated. We aimed to identify squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)-specific lncRNAs and investigate mechanisms that control their expression and function., Methods: We studied expression patterns and functions of 4 SCC-specific lncRNAs. We obtained 113 esophageal SCC (ESCC) and matched non-tumor esophageal tissues from a hospital in Shantou City, China, and performed quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction assays to measure expression levels of LINC01503. We collected clinical data from patients and compared expression levels with survival times. LINC01503 was knocked down using small interfering RNAs and oligonucleotides in TE7, TE5, and KYSE510 cell lines and overexpressed in KYSE30 cells. Cells were analyzed by chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing, luciferase reporter assays, colony formation, migration and invasion, and mass spectrometry analyses. Cells were injected into nude mice and growth of xenograft tumors was measured. LINC01503 interaction with proteins was studied using fluorescence in situ hybridization, RNA pulldown, and RNA immunoprecipitation analyses., Results: We identified a lncRNA, LINC01503, which is regulated by a super enhancer and is expressed at significantly higher levels in esophageal and head and neck SCCs than in non-tumor tissues. High levels in SCCs correlated with shorter survival times of patients. The transcription factor TP63 bound to the super enhancer at the LINC01503 locus and activated its transcription. Expression of LINC01503 in ESCC cell lines increased their proliferation, colony formation, migration, and invasion. Knockdown of LINC01503 in SCC cells reduced their proliferation, colony formation, migration, and invasion, and the growth of xenograft tumors in nude mice. Expression of LINC01503 in ESCC cell lines reduced ERK2 dephosphorylation by DUSP6, leading to activation of ERK signaling via MAPK. LINC01503 disrupted the interaction between EBP1 and the p85 subunit of PI3K, increasing AKT signaling., Conclusions: We identified an lncRNA, LINC01503, which is increased in SCC cells compared with non-tumor cells. Increased expression of LINC01503 promotes ESCC cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and growth of xenograft tumors. It might be developed as a biomarker of aggressive SCCs in patients., (Copyright © 2018 AGA Institute. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To investigate the effect of silencing NSD2 gene by RNA interference on the proliferation, apoptosis and the alteration of Akt /mTOR signaling pathway in diffuse large B cell lymphoma OCI-Ly3 cells., Methods: The shRNA targeting NSD2 gene was transfected into OCI-Ly3 cells by lentivirus infection. The NSD2 mRNA and protein were detected by real time Q-PCR and Western blot, respectively. The cell proliferation was detected by CCK-8 and apoptosis was measured by flow cytometry. The expressions of BCL-2, BAX, caspase-3, Akt, p-Akt, p-mTOR, p-P70S6K, H3K36me2 were detected by Western blot., Results: After transfecting the OCI-Ly3 cells by NSD2-shRNA for 72 h, the expressions of NSD2 mRNA and protein both were down-regulated(P<0.05), the proliferation rate of cells in NSD2 shRNA group was significantly lower than that in control and Neg shRNA groups (P<0.05); the apoptosis rate of cells in NSD2 shRNA group was significantly higher than that in control and neg-shRNA group (30.37±4.22)% vs 1.36±0.52 % and 2.17±1.43)%(P<0.05); the expressions of BAX and caspase-3 were up-regulated, while the expression of BCL-2 was down-regulated; the H3K36me2 level significantly decreased as compared with control group, no obvious decrease of the total protein level of AKT was found, but the expressions of p-Akt, p-mTOR and p-70S6K were down-regulated., Conclusion: The silencing NSD2 gene can inhibit the proliferation and induce the apoptosis of OCI-Ly3 cells, their mechanisms may relate with regulating the H3K36me2 level, specifically inhibiting the activivty of AKT/mTOR signal pathway.

Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of an automatic, personalized exposure prescription method designed to reduce radiation dose during radiography examinations., Methods: Using standard imaging parameters of average-sized patients, the authors measured individual body-part thicknesses or imaging regions of 116 patients (69 men, 47 women) and calculated each patient's exposure amount according to the thickness of the part or region. The data were used to develop each patient's personalized exposure prescription. Using the personalized exposure prescriptions, authors acquired chest images of the patients on a Carestream DRX-Revolution mobile digital radiography system., Results: All images acquired using the personalized exposure prescription method were satisfactory for diagnosis; exposure indexes were above 1300, a figure deemed acceptable for diagnosis by the manufacturer. The personalized exposure method reduced the amount of radiation each patient received., Discussion: Variation of tube voltage alone can control patients' exposure levels; however, using the personalized exposure prescription method eliminates the need to use automatic exposure controls., Conclusion: The personalized exposure prescription method is an effective tool for reducing radiation to patients during radiography as well as for eliminating dose creep., (©2018 American Society of Radiologic Technologists.)

Background: Energy (resources) acquired by animals should be allocated towards competing demands, maintenance, growth, reproduction and fat storage. Reproduction has the second lowest priority in energy allocation and only is allowed after meeting the energetic demands for maintenance and growth. This hierarchical allocation of energy suggests the hypothesis that species or taxa with high maintenance costs would be less likely to invest more energy in reproduction or to evolve an energetically more expensive mode of reproduction. Here, we used data on standard metabolic rate so far reported for 196 species of squamates to test this hypothesis., Results: We found that maintenance costs were lower in snakes than in lizards, and that the costs were lower in viviparous species than in oviparous species. As snakes generally invest more energy per reproductive episode than lizards, and viviparity is an energetically more expensive mode of reproduction than oviparity, our results are consistent with the hypothesis tested., Conclusion: The transition from lizard-like to snake-like body form and the transition from oviparity to viviparity are major evolutionary transitions in vertebrates, which likely alter many aspects of biology of the organisms involved. Our study is the first to demonstrate that evolutionary transitions in body plan and reproductive mode alter maintenance metabolism in squamates.

Moxibustion () is a traditional Chinese medicine therapy performed using Artemisia argyii. Zusanli (, ST36) is an acupoint in the stomach meridian, long associated in ancient Chinese medical practices with the extension of life span when moxibustion is applied to it. The aim of this study was to investigate changes in insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) levels after application of moxibustion to ST36. Four healthy men and women participated in this 28-day trial and were randomly divided into 2 groups. Group A received moxibustion treatment from days 1 to 14, while group B received moxibustion treatment from days 15 to 28. Blood samples were taken 5 times during this study to measure serum IGF-1 (s-IGF-1) levels. The s-IGF-1 levels increased in both groups after 7 and 14 d of moxibustion therapy (group A: 11.02% [7 d] and 29.65% [14 d]; group B: 169.12% [7 d] and 274.85% [14 d]). After moxibustion therapy had been completed (day 14), s-IGF-1 levels continued to increase in group A (increases on day 21 and day 28 were 53.19% and 61.45%, respectively). There were no adverse events in either group. The s-IGF-1 levels were significantly raised in both groups after 7 and 14 d of moxibustion therapy. Moreover, once therapy had been completed, s-IGF-1 levels continued to increase in group A up to 14 d after the treatment.

Objective: To evaluate expectant management versus immediate chemotherapy following pathological diagnosis of gestational choriocarcinoma (GCC) in patients with nonmetastatic disease., Methods: Multicenter retrospective cohort that included patients with histological diagnosis of GCC with nonmetastatic disease followed at one of thirteen Brazilian referral centers for gestational trophoblastic disease from January 2000 to December 2016., Results: Among 3191 patients with gestational trophoblastic neoplasia, 199 patients with nonmetastatic GCC were identified. Chemotherapy was initiated immediately in 152 (76.4%) patients per FIGO 2000 guideline, while 47 (23.6%) were managed expectantly. Both groups presented with similar characteristics and outcomes. All patients (n=12) who had normal human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in the first 2-3weeks of expectant management achieved complete sustained remission with no chemotherapy. Only 44.7% (21 patients) of patients who were expectantly managed needed to receive chemotherapy due to plateauing or rising hCG level in the first 2-3weeks of follow up. The outcome of patients receiving chemotherapy after initial expectant management was similar to those who received chemotherapy immediately after the diagnosis in terms of need for multi-agent chemotherapy or number of cycles of chemotherapy. There was no case of relapse or death in either group. Logistic regression analysis showed that age≥40years and hCG≥92,428IU/L at GCC diagnosis were risk factors for needing chemotherapy after initial expectant management of nonmetastatic GCC., Conclusion: In order to avoid exposing patients unnecessarily to chemotherapy, close surveillance of women with pathological diagnosis of nonmetastatic GCC seems to be a safe practice, particularly for those who have a normal hCG at the time of diagnosis. If confirmed by other studies, the FIGO guidelines may need to be revised., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: The lossy compression algorithm produces different results in various con-trasts areas. Low contrast area image quality declines greater than that of high contrast regions using equal compression ratio. These results were obtained in a subjective study. The objective image quali-ty metrics are more effective if the calculation method is more closely related to the human vision re-sults., Methods: This study first measured the PSNR and MI for discrimination between different contrast areas responding to lossy image compression in a SMPTE electronic pattern. The MI was consistent with human vision results in SMPTE electronic phantom but PSNR was not. The measurement was also applied to compressed medical images in different contrast cropping regions., Results: The MI was found to be close to human vision in CT and MR but not CRX. Both weighted PSNR and weighted MI were created to respond to the gray value and the contrast areas affected the quality estimation., Conclusion: The W-PSNR and W-MI showed that they can discriminate between different contrast areas using image compression ratios and the series of lines are equal to the contrast values and better than the tranditional approach. The W-MI measures were found to perform better than W-PSNR and can be used as an image quality index.

By determining its cellular localization in the nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS), we sought anatomical support for a putative physiological role for acid-sensing ion channel Type 1 (ASIC1) in chemosensitivity. Further, we sought to determine the effect of a lesion that produces gliosis in the area. In rats, we studied ASIC1 expression in control tissue with that in tissue with gliosis, which is associated with acidosis, after saporin lesions. We hypothesized that saporin would increase ASIC1 expression in areas of gliosis. Using fluorescent immunohistochemistry and confocal microscopy, we found that cells and processes containing ASIC1-immunoreactivity (IR) were present in the NTS, the dorsal motor nucleus of vagus, and the area postrema. In control tissue, ASIC1-IR predominantly colocalized with IR for the astrocyte marker, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), or the microglial marker, integrin αM (OX42). The subpostremal NTS was the only NTS region where neurons, identified by protein gene product 9.5 (PGP9.5), contained ASIC1-IR. ASIC1-IR increased significantly (157 ± 8.6% of control, p < 0.001) in the NTS seven days after microinjection of saporin. As we reported previously, GFAP-IR was decreased in the center of the saporin injection site, but GFAP-IR was increased in the surrounding areas where OX42-IR, indicative of activated microglia, was also increased. The over-expressed ASIC1-IR colocalized with GFAP-IR and OX42-IR in those reactive astrocytes and microglia. Our results support the hypothesis that ASIC1 would be increased in activated microglia and in reactive astrocytes after injection of saporin into the NTS.

Understanding soil organic matter (OM) biogeochemistry at the molecular-level is essential for assessing potential impacts from management practices and climate change on shifts in soil carbon storage. Biomarker analyses and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy were used in an ongoing detrital input and removal treatment experiment in a temperate deciduous forest in Pennsylvania, USA, to examine how above- and below-ground plant inputs control soil OM quantity and quality at the molecular-level. From plant material to surface soils, the free acyclic lipids and cutin, suberin, and lignin biomarkers were preferentially retained over free sugars and free cyclic lipids. After 20years of above-ground litter addition (Double Litter) or exclusion (No Litter) treatments, soil OM composition was relatively more degraded, as revealed by solid-state 13 C NMR spectroscopy. Under Doubled Litter inputs, soil carbon and phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) concentrations were unchanged, suggesting that the current OM degradation status is a reflection of microbial-mediated degradation that occurred prior to the 20-year sampling campaign. Soil OM degradation was higher in the No Litter treatments, likely due to the decline in fresh, above-ground litter inputs over time. Furthermore, root and root and litter exclusion treatments (No Roots and No Inputs, respectively) both significantly reduced free sugars and PLFAs and increased preservation of suberin-derived compounds. PLFA stress ratios and the low N-acetyl resonances from diffusion edited 1 H NMR also indicate substrate limitations and reduced microbial biomass with these treatments. Overall, we highlight that storage of soil carbon and its biochemical composition do not linearly increase with plant inputs because the microbial processing of soil OM is also likely altered in the studied forest., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To explore molecular and genetic mechanism of 3 cases of para-Bombay blood group., Methods: The bood samples of proband and family members were selected to identify their blood groups with conventional serologic methods, and salivary components carrying the ABH antigens were detected. The coding regions of FUT1 as well as exon 6 and 7 of the ABO gene were amplified using polymerase chain reaction(PCR), and the FUT1 gene was directly sequenced., Results: All the 3 cases of proband were confirmed as para-Bombay blood group. Direct sequencing revealed h new2 (nt328G→A) and h1(nt 547 ΔAG) in FUT1 gene of the proband 1, and FUT1 genotype was h1/h new2. However, the genotypes of his parents were H/h1 and H/h new2, which were non-Bombay individuals. The FUT1 genotypes of proband 2 and 3 were h1h2 (nt 547 ΔAG) and h1h2 (nt 880 ΔTT), respectively., Conclusion: The technology of molecular biology can be used to detect the base deletion mutations in FUT1 gene, which contributes to the analysis of molecular and genetic mechanism of para-Bombay blood group.

Background: Starch consists of two types of molecules: amylose and amylopectin. The objective of this study was increase understanding about mechanisms related to starch accumulation in hulless barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) grain by measuring temporal changes in (i) grain amylose and amylopectin content, (ii) starch synthase activity, and (iii) the relative expressions of key starch-related genes., Results: The amylopectin/amylose ratio gradually declined in both Beiqing 6 and Kunlun 12. In both cultivars, the activities of adenosine diphosphate glucose pyrophosphorylase, soluble starch synthase (SSS), granule bound starch synthase (GBSS), and starch branching enzyme (SBE) increased steadily during grain filling, reaching their maximums 20-25 days after anthesis. The activities of SSS and SBE were greater in Ganken 5 than in either Beiqing 6 or Kunlun 12. The expression of GBSS I was greater in Beiqing 6 and Kunlun 12 than in Ganken 5. In contrast, the expression of SSS I, SSS II and SBE I was greater in Ganken 5 than in Beiqing 6 and Kunlun 12. The peak in GBSS I expression was later than that of SSS I, SSS II, SBE IIa and SBE IIb. The GBSS I transcript in Kunlun 12 was expressed on average 90 times more than the GBSS II transcript., Conclusions: The results suggest that SBE and SSS may control starch synthesis at the transcriptional level, whereas GBSS I may control starch synthesis at the post transcriptional level. GBSS I is mainly responsible for amylose synthesis whereas SSS I and SBE II are mainly responsible for amylopectin synthesis in amyloplasts.

Rationale: Sigmoid volvulus (SV) is an exceptionally rare but potentially life-threatening condition in children., Chief Complaint: Abdominal distention for 1 week., Diagnoses: Sigmoid volvulus., Patient Concerns: We present a case of a 12-year-old boy with mechanical ileus who was finally confirmed to have SV with the combination of abdominal plain film, sonography, and computed tomography (CT) with the finding of mesenteric artery rotation., Interventions: Because bowel obstruction was suspected, abdominal plain film, sonography, and CT were performed. The abdominal CT demonstrated whirlpool sign with torsion of the sigmoid vessels. In addition, lower gastrointestinal filling study showed that the contrast medium could only reach the upper descending colon. Therefore, he received laparotomy with mesosigmoidoplasty for detorsion of the sigmoid., Outcomes: The postoperative recovery was smooth under empirical antibiotic treatment with cefazolin. A follow-up lower gastrointestinal series on the seventh day of admission showed no obstruction compared with the previous series. He was finally discharged in a stable condition 8 days after admission., Lessons: SV is a congenital anomaly and an uncommon diagnosis in children. Nevertheless, case series and case reports of SV are becoming more prevalent in the literature. Failure to recognize SV may result in life-threatening complications such as sigmoid gangrene/perforation, peritonitis, sepsis, and death. Thus, if the children have persistent and recurrent abdominal distention, abdominal pain, and vomiting, physicians should consider SV as a "do not miss diagnosis" in the differential diagnosis., (Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Terrestrial mud volcanoes (MVs) are an important natural source of methane emission. The role of microbial processes in methane cycling and organic transformation in such environments remains largely unexplored. In this study, we aim to uncover functional potentials and community assemblages across geochemical transitions in a ferruginous, sulfate-depleted MV of eastern Taiwan. Geochemical profiles combined with 16S rRNA gene abundances indicated that anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM) mediated by ANME-2a group coincided with iron/manganese reduction by Desulfuromonadales at shallow depths deprived of sulfate. The activity of AOM was stimulated either by methane alone or by methane and a range of electron acceptors, such as sulfate, ferrihydrite, and artificial humic acid. Metagenomic analyses revealed that functional genes for AOM and metal reduction were more abundant at shallow intervals. In particular, genes encoding pili expression and electron transport through multi-heme cytochromes were prevalent, suggesting potential intercellular interactions for electron transport involved in AOM. For comparison, genes responsible for methanogenesis and degradation of chitin and plant-derived molecules were more abundant at depth. The gene distribution combined with the enhanced proportions of 16S rRNA genes related to methanogens and heterotrophs, and geochemical characteristics suggest that particulate organic matter was degraded into various organic entities that could further fuel in situ methanogenesis. Finally, genes responsible for aerobic methane oxidation were more abundant in the bubbling pool and near-surface sediments. These methane oxidizers account for the ultimate attenuation of methane discharge into the atmosphere. Overall, our results demonstrated that various community members were compartmentalized into stratified niches along geochemical gradients. These community members form a metabolic network that cascades the carbon transformation from the upstream degradation of recalcitrant organic carbon with fermentative production of labile organic entities and methane to downstream methane oxidation and metal reduction near the surface. Such a metabolic architecture enables effective methane removal under ferruginous, sulfate-depleted conditions in terrestrial MVs.

Objective  To investigate the clinical and sonographic parameters associated with adverse fetal outcomes in patients with congenital parvovirus B19 infection managed by intrauterine transfusion. Methods  This was a single-center retrospective study conducted from January 2005 to December 2016 that assessed patients with singleton pregnancies with fetal parvovirus infection confirmed by a polymerase chain reaction of the amniotic fluid or fetal blood samples who underwent at least one intrauterine transfusion. The maternal characteristics, sonographic findings and parameters related to intrauterine transfusion were compared between the two groups (recovery/non-recovery), who were categorized based on fetal response after in-utero transfusions. Progression to fetal death or delivery without fetal recovery after the transfusions was considered non-recovery and categorized as an adverse outcome. Results  The final analysis included ten singleton pregnancies: seven of which were categorized into the recovery group and three of which into the non-recovery group. The baseline characteristics were similar between the groups. All fetuses were hydropic at the time of diagnosis. No significant differences related to sonographic or intrauterine transfusion parameters were identified between the groups; however, the non-recovery group tended to have an increased number of sonographic markers and lower fetal hemoglobin and platelet levels before the transfusion. Conclusion  We were unable to firmly establish the clinical or sonographic parameters associated with adverse fetal outcomes in patients with parvovirus infection managed with intrauterine transfusions; however, edema, placental thickening and oligohydramnios may indicate greater fetal compromise and, subsequently, adverse outcomes. However, further studies are necessary, mainly due to the small number of cases analyzed in the present study., Competing Interests: Conflicts to Interest: None to declare., (Thieme Revinter Publicações Ltda Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.)

Purpose: We sought to test the effectiveness of the application of a tailored anterior saturation band (ASB) to improve the image quality of pelvic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for assessing rectal cancer., Methods: A total of 165 patients with MRI assessment of rectal cancer between 2013 and 2015 were included. The image quality scores (4-point scale: 1, nondiagnostic through 4, excellent) of MRI without and with tailored ASBs were compared. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and accuracy of pelvic MRIs with and without a tailored ASB for T-staging in 65 patients with direct surgery and 67 patients with chemoradiotherapy before surgery were evaluated., Results: Two independent raters exhibited moderate-to-excellent interobserver agreements (κ = 0.529-0.879) in the grading of MRI image quality. Overall, the quality scores of sagittal and axial T2-weighted images with tailored ASBs were significantly improved compared with MRIs without ASBs (3.5 ± 0.3 vs. 2.7 ± 0.8 [mean ± SD]; P < .001, and 3.6 ± 0.3 vs. 2.8 ± 0.8; P < .001, respectively). The application of tailored ASBs in MRIs improved the averaged accuracies for staging of ≤ T2, T3, and T4 tumors from 87.7%, 78.5%, and 90.8% to 93.1%, 86.9%, and 97.7%, respectively. In post-chemoradiotherapy MRI follow-ups, the use of tailored ASBs also improved the average accuracies for staging of yT0, yT1-2, yT3, and yT4 tumors from 80.6%, 73.1%, 73.9%, and 91.0%, to 85.8%, 82.9%, 85.1%, and 94.0%, respectively., Conclusions: Application of a tailored ASB in pelvic MRI is effective in substantially reducing motion artifacts, significantly upgrading image quality, and improving accuracies of rectal tumor staging., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

According to the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) theory, congenital anomalies are caused by kidney malfunctions, which decreased the bone quality, and may eventually result in bone fractures. This retrospective cohort study investigated the relationship between congenital anomalies and fracture of spine, trunk, and upper and lower limbs in young people. We utilized data from the National Health Insurance Research Database of Taiwan. This study included patients with congenital anomalies (International Classification of Diseases/ICD-9 code: 740-759) and a comparison group of patients without congenital anomalies. Cases evaluated were fracture of spine and trunk (ICD-9 codes: 805-809), fracture of upper limbs (ICD-9 codes: 810-819), and fracture of lower limbs (ICD-9 codes: 820-829). Our study shows that in comparison to the control group, patients with congenital anomalies are 1.11 times more likely to develop fractures. This is the first documented research study that supports the TCM theory that "the Kidney governs the bones, and healthy bones give the body stabilization and prevent fracture."

As people in the 21st century become increasingly environmentally aware, environmentally friendly products have come into focus. As such, environmentally friendly textiles and eco-textiles have become an international trend in research and development. Poly(lactic acid) fiber, which is biodegradable, holds much promise, but it is difficult to deep dye. This study used chitosan, succine anhydride, siloxane, and polyethylene glycol to produce a series of chitosan/siloxane polyesters that have a hydrophilic component (chitosan) and a hydrophobic component (siloxane), and this chitosan/siloxane polyester can be coated on poly(lactic acid) fiber, which we had subjected to Argon plasma treatment to increase their antimicrobial properties and to increase the fibers dyeing efficiency. The study shows that, after the surface plasma treatment, longer PEG chain lengths resulted in higher K/S values. This result suggests that the surface plasma pretreatment and chitosan/siloxane polyesters coating showed that lower ∆E values result in more leveling dyeing of poly(lactic acid) fiber., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship of matriptase-2 expression with the clinicopathologic characteristics, the histologic grade, and patient survival in oral squamous-cell carcinoma (OSCC). Immunohistochemical analysis of matriptase-2 expression was performed in 102 surgical specimens from patients with OSCC. The immunohistochemical results were further verified by quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. The immunostaining intensity was scored on a scale ranging from 0 (absence of staining) to 3 (intense staining). The distribution score was determined by the percentage of stained cells on a scale ranging from 0 (<5%), 1 (5% to 25%), 2 (25% to 50%), 3 (50% to 75%), to 4 (75% to 100%). The immunoscore of matriptase-2 expression was the product of the above 2 scores and ranged from 0 to 12 for analysis. Faint matriptase-2 immunostaining was observed in the non-neoplastic oral mucosal epithelia. The matriptase-2 immunoscore was significantly higher in well-differentiated OSCCs than in poorly differentiated tumors (P=0.001). Moreover, a reduced matriptase-2 immunoscore was inversely correlated with the tumor size (P=0.017), a positive nodal stage (P=0.008), distant metastasis (P=0.032), and a late clinical stage (P=0.001). A lower immunoscore of matriptase-2 expression revealed a significant association with poor survival (P=0.003). Our results demonstrate that the inverse expression of matriptase-2 correlates with tumor progression and an advanced TNM stage, and has a poor prognosis in patients with OSCC. These findings suggest that the expression of matriptase-2 may be both a prognostic marker and a potential therapeutic target for this cancer.

Tophi typically occur many years after uncontrolled gout. Therefore, their development before gout remains unusual. Such patients might exhibit some characteristic differences compared with typical tophaceous gout patients. In this study, 65 tophaceous gout patients with tophi as the first sign of gout (tophi-first group) were enrolled. Their clinical characteristics were compared with those of 1421 patients whose tophi occurred after gout (tophi-after group). Compared with the tophi-after group, the tophi-first group had a significantly higher percentage of female patients and patients with elderly onset of disease and a lower percentage of patients with a positive family history; these patients had lower body mass indices, serum urate levels, and estimated glomerular filtration rates (eGFRs). Female sex and negative family history were identified as the principal determinants of tophi development before gout. The decreasing eGFR among the tophi-first group was not due to the group per se but was a result of older age, longer tophi duration, and hyperuricemia. The most common site of initial tophi occurrence in both groups was the toe. In the tophi-first group, the occurrence rates for initial tophi sites were significantly higher at the finger but were lower at the ankle. The tophi-first group exhibited distinct characteristics of age, gender, family history, BMI, serum urate levels, and initial tophi site. This group had fewer comorbidities but similar renal dysfunction compared with the tophi-after group. Thus, patients presenting with tophi should be treated promptly, even if they have no history of gout symptoms.

Previous studies with biological and genetic evidence indicate that the myo-inositol monophosphatase 2 (IMPA2) gene may influence schizophrenia. We performed a genetic association study in Han Chinese cohorts. Five single nucleotide polymorphisms within IMPA2 promoter region (rs971363, rs971362, rs2075824, rs111410794 and rs111610121), as well as one (rs45442994, in intron 1) that was positively associated in another study, were selected for genotyping in 1397 patients with schizophrenia and 1285 mentally healthy controls. Genotype and allele frequencies were assessed by gender stratification. Interestingly, rs2075824 showed a strong association with schizophrenia (P = 4.1 × 10 -4 ), and the T allele was more frequent in cases than controls [P = 5.6 × 10 -5 , OR (95% CI) = 1.26 (1.13-1.41)]. In vitro promoter assay showed that the transcription activity of the T allele promoter was higher than that of the C allele promoter and the T allele of rs2075824 contributed to risk for schizophrenia. By stratifying males and females, we found a gender-specific association for IMPA2 and schizophrenia: the T allele of rs2075824 was more frequent in male cases compared with male controls [P = 1.4 × 10 -4 , OR (95% CI) = 1.33 (1.15-1.55)]. Our data suggest that a promoter polymorphism of IMPA2 possibly contributed to risk for schizophrenia by elevating transcription activity in Han Chinese individuals., (© 2016 The Authors. Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd and Foundation for Cellular and Molecular Medicine.)

Objective: To determine the clinical characteristics of multiple gestation with complete mole and coexisting fetus (CHMCF) in North and South America., Methods: Retrospective non-concurrent cohorts compromised of CHMCF from New England Trophoblastic Disease Center (NETDC) (1966-2015) and four Brazilian Trophoblastic Disease Centers (BTDC) (1990-2015)., Results: From a total of 12,455 cases of gestational trophoblastic disease seen, 72 CHMCF were identified. Clinical characteristics were similar between BTDC (n=46) and NETDC (n=13) from 1990 to 2015, apart from a much higher frequency of potentially life-threatening conditions in Brazil (p=0.046). There were no significant changes in the clinical presentation or outcomes over the past 5 decades in NETDC (13 cases in 1966-1989 vs 13 cases in 1990-2015). Ten pregnancies were electively terminated and 35 cases resulted in viable live births (60% of 60 continued pregnancies). The overall rate of gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) was 46%; the cases which progressed to GTN presented with higher chorionic gonadotropin levels (p=0.026) and higher frequency of termination of pregnancy due to medical complications (p=0.006) when compared to those with spontaneous remission., Conclusions: The main regional difference in CHMCF presentation is related to a higher rate of potentially life-threatening conditions in South America. Sixty percent of the expectantly managed CHMCF delivered a viable infant, and the overall rate of GTN in this study was 46%. Elective termination of pregnancy did not influence the risk for GTN; however the need for termination due to complications and higher hCG levels were associated with development of GTN in CHMCF., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Saporin (SAP) or SAP conjugates injected into the nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS) of rats kill astrocytes. When injected in its unconjugated form, SAP produces no demonstrable loss of or damage to local neurons. However bilateral injections of SAP significantly attenuate responses to activation of baroreceptor reflexes that are mediated by transmission of signals through glutamate receptors in the NTS We tested the hypothesis that SAP would reduce cardiovascular responses to activation of NTS glutamate receptors despite its recognized ability to spare local neurons while killing local astrocytes. In animals treated with SAP and SAP conjugates or, as a control, with the toxin 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA), we sought to determine if dose-related changes of arterial pressure (AP) or heart rate (HR) in response to injection into NTS of N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) or α -amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) were attenuated. Also we quantified changes in immunoreactivity (IR) for EAAT2, EAAC1, and VGluT2 in NTS after SAP and SAP conjugates. Our earlier studies showed that IR for NMDA and AMPA receptors was not changed after injection of SAP We found that EAAT2 and EAAC1, both found in astrocytes, were reduced by SAP or its conjugates but not by 6-OHDA In contrast, VGluT2-IR was increased by SAP or conjugates but not by 6-OHDA AP and HR responses to NMDA and AMPA were attenuated after SAP and SAP conjugate injection but not after 6-OHDA Results of this study are consistent with others that have shown interactions between astroglia and neurons in synaptic transmission mediated by glutamate receptor activation in the NTS., (© 2017 The Authors. Physiological Reports published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of The Physiological Society and the American Physiological Society.)

According to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) theory, a specific physiological and pathological relationship exists between the lungs and the large intestine. The aim of this study is to delineate the association of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and hemorrhoids in order to verify the "interior-exterior" relationship between the lungs and the large intestine. A retrospective cohort study is conceived from the National Health Insurance Research Database, Taiwan. The 2 samples (COPD cohort and non-COPD cohort) were selected from the 2000 to 2003 beneficiaries of the NHI, representing patients age 20 and older in Taiwan, with the follow-up ending on December 31, 2011. The COPD cohort (n = 51,506) includes every patient newly diagnosed as having Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD, ICD-9-CM: 490-492, 494, 496), who have made at least 2 confirmed visits to the hospital/clinic. The non-COPD cohort (n = 103,012) includes patients without COPD and is selected via a 1:2 (COPD: non-COPD) matching by age group (per 5 years), gender, and index date (diagnosis date of COPD for the COPD cohort). Compared with non-COPD cohorts, patients with COPD have a higher likelihood of having hemorrhoids and the age-, gender- and comorbidies-adjusted hazard ratio (HR) for hemorrhoids is 1.56 (95% confidence intervals [CI]:1.50-1.62). The adjusted HR of hemorrhoids for females is 0.79 (95% CI: 0.77-0.83), which is significantly less than that for males. The elderly groups, 40 to 59 years and aged 60 or above, have higher adjusted HRs than younger age groups (20-39 years), 1.19 (95% CI: 1.14-1.26), and 1.18 (95% CI: 1.12-1.24), respectively. Patients with COPD may have a higher likelihood to have hemorrhoids in this retrospective cohort study. This study verifies the fundamental theorem of TCM that there is a definite pathogenic association between the lungs and large intestine.

In this paper, we report the complete mitochondrial genome of Acanthosaura lepidogaster (Squamata, Agamidae), which is a circular molecule of 16 899 bp in size and consists of 13 protein-coding genes, 2 ribosomal RNAs, 22 transfer RNAs, and a control region. The overall base composition is as follows: T (22.8%), C (30.5%), A (32.3%), and G (14.4%). We constructed a phylogeny that included for 10 species of Leiolepidinae lizards and one outgroup Leiocephalus personatus constructed in BEAST, based on 15 mitochondrial genes (12S, 16S, ND1, ND2, COI, COII, ATP8, ATP6, COIII, ND3, ND4L, ND4, ND5, ND6, and cytochrome b). The topology of the phylogenetic tree is broadly similar to that mentioned by Pyron et al.

Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that can cause vision loss and optical nerve damage. To investigate the protein expression alterations in various intraocular tissues (i.e., the cornea, conjunctiva, uvea, retina, and sclera) during ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury, this study performed a proteomic analysis to qualitatively investigate such alterations resulting from acute glaucoma. The IR injury model combined with the proteomic analysis approach of two-dimensional difference gel electrophoresis (2D-DIGE) and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) was used to monitor the protein expression alterations in two groups of specimens (an IR injury group and a control group). The analysis results revealed 221 unique differentially expressed proteins of a total of 1481 proteins in the cornea between the two groups. In addition, 97 of 1206 conjunctival proteins, 90 of 1354 uveal proteins, 61 of 1180 scleral proteins, and 37 of 1204 retinal proteins were differentially expressed. These findings imply that different ocular tissues have different tolerances against IR injury. To sum up, this study utilized the acute glaucoma model combined with 2D-DIGE and MALDI-TOF MS to investigate the IR injury affected protein expression on various ocular tissues, and based on the ratio of protein expression alterations, the alterations in the ocular tissues were in the following order: the cornea, conjunctiva, uvea, sclera, and retina.

Background: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a major head and neck cancer with high occurrence in Southeast Asia and southern China. We aimed to identify autoantibodies that may contribute to early detection of NPC., Methods: We used serological proteome analysis to identify candidate autoantibodies against tumor-associated antigens. Levels of autoantibodies and Epstein-Barr virus capsid antigen-IgA (VCA-IgA) were measured by ELISA in 129 patients with NPC and 100 normal controls. We employed receiver operating characteristics to calculate diagnostic accuracy., Results: Sera from patients with NPC yielded multiple spots, two of which were identified as PRDX2 and PRDX3. Levels of serum autoantibodies against PRDX2 and PRDX3 were significantly higher for patients with NPC than for normal controls ( P  < 0.01), respectively. Combined detection of autoantibodies against PRDX2 and PRDX3 and VCA-IgA provided a high diagnostic accuracy in NPC (an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.811 (95% CI 0.753-0.869), 66.7% sensitivity, and 95.0% specificity). This combination maintained diagnostic performance for early NPC with AUC value of 0.754 (95% CI 0.652-0.857), 50.0% sensitivity, and 95.0% specificity., Conclusions: This study reports autoantibodies against PRDX2 and PRDX3 identified by a proteomic approach in sera from NPC patients. Our findings suggest that autoantibodies against PRDX2 and PRDX3 may serve as supplementary biomarkers to VCA-IgA for the screening and diagnosis of NPC.

Introduction: The successful development of chemotherapy enabled a fertilitysparing treatment for patients with trophoblastic neoplasia. After disease remission, the outcome of a subsequent pregnancy becomes a great concern for these women., Objective: To analyze existing studies in the literature that describe the reproductive outcomes of patients with trophoblastic neoplasia treated with chemotherapy., Method: Systematic review was performed searching for articles on Medline/ Pubmed, Lilacs and Cochrane Library databases, using the terms "gestational trophoblastic disease" and "pregnancy outcome"., Results: A total of 18 articles were included. No evidence of decreased fertility after chemotherapy for trophoblastic neoplasia was observed. The abortion rates in patients who conceived within 6 months after chemotherapy was higher compared to those who waited longer. Some studies showed increased rates of stillbirth and repeat hydatidiform moles. Only one work showed increased congenital abnormalities., Conclusion: The pregnancies conceived after chemotherapy for trophoblastic neoplasia should be followed with clinical surveillance due to higher rates of some pregnancy complications. However, studies in the literature provide reassuring data about reproductive outcomes of these patients.

Despite immunoprophylaxis, hepatitis B virus (HBV) transmission in highly viremic mothers remains a global health issue. Using quantitative maternal surface antigen (HBsAg) to predict HBV infection in infants has not been investigated. We enrolled 526 mother-infant pairs with positive maternal HBsAg under current immunoprophylaxis. Maternal viral load and quantitative HBsAg were measured in the peripartum period. Infant HBsAg seropositivity for more than 6 months was defined as chronic infection. Rates of chronic infection in infants at various maternal HBsAg levels were estimated using a multivariate logistic regression model. Results showed that maternal HBsAg was positively correlated with maternal viral load (r = 0.69; P < 0.001) and accurately predicted maternal viral load above 6, 7, and 8 log 10 IU/mL with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.97, 0.98, and 0.95. Nineteen infants were chronically infected. After adjustment for the other risk factor, maternal HBsAg level was significantly associated with risk of infection (adjusted odds ratio for each log 10 IU/mL increase, 15.02; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.89-57.94; P < 0.001). The AUC for predicting infection by quantitative maternal HBsAg was comparable to that by maternal viral load (0.89 vs. 0.87; P = 0.459). Estimated rates of infection at maternal HBsAg levels of 4, 4.5, and 5 log 10 IU/mL were 2.4% (95% CI, 0.1-4.6; P = 0.04), 8.6% (95% CI, 4.5-12.7; P < 0.001), and 26.4% (95% CI, 12.6-40.2; P < 0.001)., Conclusion: Quantitative maternal HBsAg predicts infection in infants as well as maternal viral load does. Antiviral therapy may be considered in pregnant women with an HBsAg level above 4-4.5 log 10 IU/mL to interrupt mother-to-infant transmission. (Hepatology 2016;64:1451-1461)., (© 2016 by the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases.)

The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of bleeding after dental extraction without stopping antiplatelet therapy. Postoperative bleeding was assessed in a total of 1271 patients who were divided into two groups: a study group comprising 183 patients on antiplatelet therapy (aspirin 125 patients/185 occasions; clopidogrel 42 patients/65 occasions; dual therapy 16 patients/24 occasions) who underwent 548 dental extractions on 274 occasions, and a control group comprising 1088 patients who were not receiving any antiplatelet or anticoagulant therapy and underwent 2487 dental extractions on 1472 occasions. The incidence of postoperative bleeding was higher in the study group (5/274, 1.8%) than in the control group (10/1472, 0.7%), and also in the dual antiplatelet subgroup (1/24, 4.2%) than in the single antiplatelet subgroups (clopidogrel: 2/65, 3.1%; aspirin: 2/185, 1.1%); however, these differences were not significant. Postoperative bleeding was managed successfully by repacking with Gelfoam impregnated with tranexamic acid powder in 12 patients and by resuturing in three of the control patients undergoing extraction of impacted teeth with flap elevation. These findings indicate that there is no need to interrupt antiplatelet drugs before dental extraction., (Copyright © 2016 International Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

In this paper, the complete mitochondrial genome of Eremias przewalskii (Squamata: Lacertidae) is reported, which is a circular molecule of 18,225 bp in size. The base composition of mtDNA is as follows: 30.3% A, 27.9% T, 27.9% C and 13.9% G. The genome consists of 13 protein coding genes, 22 transfer RNAs, 2 ribosomal RNA genes and one putative control region.

We report the nearly complete mitochondrial genome of the rapid racerunner, Eremias velox (Lacertidae), which is a circular molecule of 18,033 bp in size and consists of 13 protein-coding genes, 2 ribosomal RNAs, 22 transfer RNAs and a partial control region (2627 bp). The A + T content of overall base composition of H-strand is 58.0% (T: 27.7%, C: 28.3%, A: 30.3%, G: 13.7%). Some short microsatellite-like repeat regions (polyA and polyT) are scattered in the control region. All the results provide powerful data for further study of the molecular systematics, species identification and conservation genetics in this species and its congenators.

In this paper, the complete mitochondrial genome of Eremias multiocellata (Squamata: Lacertidae) is reported, which is a circular molecule of 19,385 bp in size. The nucleotides composition are 31.2% A, 28.9% T, 27.1% C and 13.4% G. The genome consists of 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNAs, 2 ribosomal RNA genes and 1 putative control region.

Background: Apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease 1/redox factor-1 (APE1/Ref-1) is a multifunctional protein involved in DNA repair and redox signaling. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between APE1/Ref-1 expression and clinicopathological features, survival, and treatment response in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and cell lines., Methods: APE1/Ref-1 expression in OSCC was evaluated by immunohistochemistry, and its relationship to patient outcomes and treatment response was assessed statistically. The effects of stable short hairpin (sh)RNA-mediated knockdown of APE1/Ref-1 on cell survival, migration, and chemoradiation sensitivity were determined in OSCC cell lines., Results: APE1/Ref-1 immunostaining was correlated with positive lymph node status, and higher APE1/Ref-1 expression was significantly associated with poor prognosis and reduced treatment response. Consistent with the clinical studies, APE1/Ref-1 expression in OSCC cell lines was implicated in the regulation of migration and cisplatin-induced apoptosis., Conclusion: Elevated APE1/Ref-1 expression may be used to predict poor survival and may confer chemoresistance in OSCC., (© 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

The oral cancer cell line OC3-I5 with a highly invasive ability was selected and derived from an established OSCC line OC3. In this study, we demonstrated that matrix metalloproteinases protein MMP-13 was up-regulated in OC3-I5 than in OC3 cells. We also observed that expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers including Twist, p-Src, Snail1, SIP1, JAM-A, and vinculin were increased in OC3-I5 compared to OC3 cells, whereas E-cadherin expression was decreased in the OC3-I5 cells. Using siMMP-13 knockdown techniques, we showed that siMMP-13 not only reduced the invasion and migration, but also the adhesion abilities of oral cancer cells. In support of the role of MMP-13 in metastasis, we used MMP-13 expressing plasmid-transfected 293T cells to enhance MMP-13 expression in the OC3 cells, transplanting the MMP-13 over expressing OC3 cells into nude mice led to enhanced lung metastasis. In summary, our findings show that MMP-13 promotes invasion and metastasis in oral cancer cells, suggesting altered expression of MMP-13 may be utilized to impede the process of metastasis.

Iron (Fe) is an essential element for many organisms, but high concentrations of iron can be toxic. The complex relation between iron, arsenic (As), bacteria, and organic matter in sediments and groundwater is still an issue of environmental concern. The present study addresses the effects of humic acids and microorganisms on the mobilization of iron in sediments from an arsenic-affected area, and the microbial diversity was analyzed. The results showed that the addition of 50, 100, and 500 mg/L humic acids enhanced ferrous iron (Fe(II)) release in a time-dependent and dose-dependent fashion under anaerobic conditions. A significant increase in the soluble Fe(II) concentrations occurred in the aqueous phases of the samples during the first 2 weeks, and aqueous Fe(II) reached its maximum concentrations after 8 weeks at the following Fe(II) concentrations: 28.95 ± 1.16 mg/L (original non-sterilized sediments), 32.50 ± 0.71 mg/L (50 mg/L humic acid-amended, non-sterilized sediments), 37.50 ± 1.85 mg/L (100 mg/L humic acid-amended, non-sterilized sediments), and 39.00 ± 0.43 mg/L (500 mg/L humic acid-amended, non-sterilized sediments). These results suggest that humic acids can further enhance the microbially mediated release of sedimentary iron under anaerobic conditions. By contrast, very insignificant amounts of iron release were observed from sterilized sediments (the abiotic controls), even with the supplementation of humic acids under anaerobic incubation. In addition, the As(III) release was increased from 50 ± 10 μg/L (original non-sterilized sediments) to 110 ± 45 μg/L (100 mg/L humic acid-amended, non-sterilized sediments) after 8 weeks of anaerobic incubation. Furthermore, a microbial community analysis indicated that the predominant class was changed from Alphaproteobacteria to Deltaproteobacteria, and clearly increased populations of Geobacter sp., Paludibacter sp., and Methylophaga sp. were found after adding humic acids along with the increased release of iron and arsenic. Our findings provide evidence that humic acids can enhance the microbially mediated release of sedimentary ferrous iron in an arsenic-affected area. It is thus suggested that the control of anthropogenic humic acid use and entry into the environment is important for preventing the subsequent iron contamination in groundwater.

Low-temperature scanning gate microscopy (LT-SGM) studies of graphene allow one to obtain important spatial information regarding coherent transport such as weak localization (WL) and universal conductance fluctuations. Although fascinating LT-SGM results on pristine graphene prepared by mechanical exfoliation have been reported in the literature, there appears to be a dearth of LT-SGM results on chemical vapor deposition (CVD)-grown graphene whose large scale and flexible substrate transferability make it an ideal candidate for coherent electronic applications. To this end, we have performed LT-SGM studies on CVD-grown graphene wide constriction (0.8 μm), which can be readily prepared by cost-effective optical lithography fully compatible with those in wafer foundry, in the WL regime. We find that the movable local gate can sensitively modulate the total conductance of the CVD graphene constriction possibly due to the intrinsic grain boundaries and merged domains, a great advantage for applications in coherent electronics. Moreover, such a conductance modulation by LT-SGM provides an additional, approximately magnetic-field-independent probe for studying coherent transport such as WL in graphene and spatial conductance variation.

In this paper, we report the complete mitochondrial genome of Eremias vermiculata (Squamata: Lacertidae), which is a circular molecule of 19,914 bp in size and consists of 13 protein-coding genes, 2 ribosomal RNAs, 22 transfer RNAs, and 1 putative control region. The A + T content of overall base of the composition of H-strand is 59.8% (T: 28.9%, C: 27.2%, A: 30.9%, G: 13.0%). All of the results provide powerful data to further study of the molecular systematics, species identification and conservation genetics.

In this paper, we report the complete mitochondrial genome of Leiolepis reevesii (Sauria, Agamidae), which is a circular molecule of 16,908 bp in size and consists of 13 protein-coding genes, 2 ribosomal RNAs, 22 transfer RNAs and a control region. The A+T content of overall base composition of H-strand is 59.8% (T: 25.1%, C: 27.5%, A: 34.7%, G: 12.7%). Some short microsatellite-like repeat regions (polyA and polyT) are scattered in the control region. All the results provide powerful data to further study of the molecular systematics, species identification and conservation genetics.

In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) theory, the liver governs the tendons. This retrospective cohort study investigated the relationship between chronic liver disease and common orthopedic conditions by utilizing the National Health Insurance Research Database of Taiwan. The populations included within this study were chronic liver disease patients (International Classification of Diseases/ICD-9 code: 571) and a comparison group composed of patients with nonchronic liver disease. The medical event that was evaluated was internal derangement of joints (ICD-9 codes: 717-718). In comparison with the control group, patients with chronic liver disease were 1.29 times more likely to develop internal derangement of joints when major trauma had also occurred. We did not find the association of viral hepatitis with internal derangement of joints. Patients with chronic liver disease as well as anemia were 3.01 times more likely to develop joint derangements. Our study shows that patients with anemia in addition to chronic liver disease are more prone to develop joint derangements. This is the first documented research study that endorses "the liver governs the tendons which gives the body the ability to move" theory of TCM. The incidence rate of internal derangement of knee joints was higher in patients with chronic liver disease.