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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

FTO demethylates YAP mRNA promoting oral squamous cell carcinoma tumorigenesis.

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

Comparison of the median effective concentration (EC50) and effect of sevoflurane with or without remifentanil in cesarean section with supreme laryngeal mask under narcotrend monitoring: a randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: Remifentanil combined with sevoflurane is a standard protocol for obstetric general anesthesia (GA). METHODS: In this study, we performed a randomized clinical trial to evaluate whether remifentanil has an effect on the median effective concentration (EC50) of sevoflurane and compare anesthetic outcomes of them in cesarean section with Supreme™ laryngeal mask airway (SLMA) under narcotrend monitoring. Ninety parturients with singleton births undergoing elective cesarean delivery (CD) with initial inhaled 1.0 minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) sevoflurane for anesthesia maintenance were assigned to three groups randomly and evenly: Group A (0.05 µg·kg-1·min-1 remifentanil combined with sevoflurane), Group B (0.1 µg·kg-1·min-1 remifentanil combined with sevoflurane), and Group C (normal saline combined with sevoflurane). Narcotrend was used to monitor the depth of anesthesia during the operation, with the level of anesthesia depth controlled within the D-E stage. The EC50 of sevoflurane was determined by Dixon's sequential method. The Narcotrend index, amount of bleeding, neonatal Apgar score, and corresponding treatment measures in the three groups were recorded. RESULTS: The results showed that the estimated EC50 of sevoflurane for obstetric GA was 0.80 MAC (95% CI: 0.63-0.95 MAC) in group A, 0.82 MAC (95% CI: 0.63-0.96 MAC) in group B, and 0.80 MAC (95% CI: 0.63-0.95 MAC) in group C. There was no statistically significant difference in the estimated EC50 of sevoflurane, time to wakefulness, Apgar score, amount of intraoperative bleeding, and postoperative bleeding within 24 hours between the three groups (all P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The addition of remifentanil at 0.05-0.1 µg·kg-1·min-1 did not change the EC50 of sevoflurane and anesthetic quality. The concentration of inhaled anesthetics can be minimized with Narcotrend monitoring. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR2000034512.

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

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

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

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

Clinical Efficacy of Cortex Daphnes (Zushima) Patch in Patients With Symptomatic Knee Osteoarthritis: A Multicenter Non-Inferiority Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial.

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is imposing substantial burdens on individuals and society with the aging population. Cortex Daphnes patch is widely used for symptomatic knee OA in China with a satisfying clinical efficacy; however, there is scant clinical evidence supporting its use. To evaluate its efficacy, we conducted a multicenter, non-inferiority, randomized, parallel-group study comparing Cortex Daphnes patch with topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in patients with knee OA (NCT02770950). Methods: A total of 264 symptomatic knee OA patients were treated with Cortex Daphnes or indomethacin cataplasms applied to affected sites once daily for 2 weeks. The primary outcome was improvement in knee pain on walking as assessed using a visual analog scale (VAS). The non-inferiority margin based on the full analysis population was set as -5 mm on the pain VAS. The secondary outcomes were changes of the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) total score, WOMAC scores for pain, function and stiffness, the 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), and global assessment of knees by the patients. Responder rates for pain VAS, WOMAC total score, and WOMAC pain were also included in the secondary outcomes. Results: The Cortex Daphnes patch was non-inferior to indomethacin cataplasms for the primary outcome with a group difference (Cortex Daphnes patch-indomethacin cataplasm) of 2.1 mm (95% confidence interval: 2.1-6.4); similar results were found in the per-protocol population. For all other outcomes, no significant differences were found in the full analysis set or in the per-protocol analysis set, except the responder rates for WOMAC pain was higher in the Cortex Daphnes patch group than in the indomethacin cataplasm group (78.4 vs. 64.7%, p = 0.022) in the per-protocol analysis set. Overall, 28.8% patients in the Cortex Daphnes patch group and 9.8% in the indomethacin cataplasm group reported treatment-related adverse events, the vast majority of which were mild-to-moderate skin irritation, resulting in only 3.8 and 0.8% of patients dropping out, respectively. Conclusion: The Cortex Daphnes patch, which provides satisfactory analgesic efficacy and enhances the physical function of the knee, as well as improving quality of life, may be a promising alternative to knee OA.

Effect of Ethanolic Extracts from Taiwanofungus camphoratus and T. salmoneus (Agaricomycetes) Mycelia on Osteoporosis Recovery.

Osteoporosis is common in postmenopausal women and elderly people. In this study, the ovariectomized mice were used as an in vivo test to evaluate the effects of 70% ethanolic extracts of Taiwanofungus camphoratus and T. salmoneus (Polyporales, Agaricomycetes) on postmenopausal osteoporosis. Ovariectomized mice had significantly higher body weight and histopathological alterations of the liver were found to have diffused fatty infiltrated vesicles. The bone parameters of the femur were determined by microcomputed tomography. In addition, the relative weight of the uterus is significantly lower and atrophy of the uterine glands was found in histopathological alterations. The results of trabecular bone parameters showed that feeding high doses of T. camphoratus mycelia ethanolic extract to ovariectomized mice had the ability to delay bone loss. The bone density of trabecular bone and cortical bone were also significantly higher than those of ovariectomized mice, indicating that the ethanolic extract of T. camphoratus has the potential to delay the occurrence of osteoporosis.

Huge ovarian mature cystic teratoma with gliomatosis peritonei and massive ascites in a postmenopausal woman.

Teratoma of the ovary is the most frequently encountered germ cell tumor. It usually occurs in young women. Gliomatosis peritonei (GP) is mature neural glial tissue implanted onto the peritoneal surface. We present a case of a mature teratoma accompanied by GP and massive ascites in postmenopausal women. A 54-year-old, G0P0, woman presented in the gynecology outpatient department with abdominal distension for 6 months. Computed tomography scan of the abdomen and pelvis displayed an ovarian mass about 20 cm × 18 cm with peritoneal seeding, ascites, and enlarged paraaortic lymph nodes. A total hysterectomy and bilateral adnexectomy were performed. The pathology showed the left ovary contained a dermoid cyst. The biopsy of the peritoneal nodule displayed glial tissue confirming the diagnosis of GP. The patient remained in good condition 6 months postoperatively. We suggest GP be considered in patients presenting with teratomas and massive ascites. The radiological diagnosis is challenging due to the rarity of GP. Continued follow-up of patients with teratomas and GP is mandatory due to the potential of malignant transformation.

Outcomes of adhesion barriers in gynecologic surgeries: A retrospective study at a medical center.

During second-look surgery or hospitalization, intra-abdominal surgeries may cause severe postoperative complications, such as pelvic adhesion, postoperative ileus, and severe pain. However, only few studies have analyzed the outcomes of antiadhesive barriers in second-look surgery. This retrospective study aims to identify the outcomes of different antiadhesive barriers by analyzing surgical images. The study included patients who received an adhesion barrier during second-look surgery between January 2011 and November 2017. Four brands of adhesive barriers were used: Interceed, Seprafilm, Adept, and SurgiWrap. Adhesion scores were calculated for four quadrants of the uterus and surrounding structures before and after the use of antiadhesive barriers. The differences between the data of 2 observers and surgery times were also determined. A total of 18 patients were enrolled in the study. The adhesion scores were not significantly different before and after the placement of antiadhesive barriers. The difference in the adhesion scores between the two observers was also not significant, except in the Seprafilm group (P = .029). Furthermore, no significant change in the adhesion scores was observed between the first and second surgeries. Therefore, using adhesion barriers may not decrease the adhesion scores in the current setting.

Screening and identification of biomarkers for systemic sclerosis via microarray technology.

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a complex autoimmune disease. The pathogenesis of SSc is currently unclear, although like other rheumatic diseases its pathogenesis is complicated. However, the ongoing development of bioinformatics technology has enabled new approaches to research this disease using microarray technology to screen and identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the skin of patients with SSc compared with individuals with healthy skin. Publicly available data were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database and intra­group data repeatability tests were conducted using Pearson's correlation test and principal component analysis. DEGs were identified using an online tool, GEO2R. Functional annotation of DEGs was performed using Gene Ontology (GO) and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis. Finally, the construction and analysis of the protein­protein interaction (PPI) network and identification and analysis of hub genes was carried out. A total of 106 DEGs were detected by the screening of SSc and healthy skin samples. A total of 10 genes [interleukin­6, bone morphogenetic protein 4, calumenin (CALU), clusterin, cysteine rich angiogenic inducer 61, serine protease 23, secretogranin II, suppressor of cytokine signaling 3, Toll­like receptor 4 (TLR4), tenascin C] were identified as hub genes with degrees ≥10, and which could sensitively and specifically predict SSc based on receiver operator characteristic curve analysis. GO and KEGG analysis showed that variations in hub genes were mainly enriched in positive regulation of nitric oxide biosynthetic processes, negative regulation of apoptotic processes, extracellular regions, extracellular spaces, cytokine activity, chemo­attractant activity, and the phosphoinositide 3 kinase­protein kinase B signaling pathway. In summary, bioinformatics techniques proved useful for the screening and identification of biomarkers of disease. A total of 106 DEGs and 10 hub genes were linked to SSc, in particular the TLR4 and CALU genes.

[Analysis of Genetic Screening in Couples of Reproductive Age for Thalassemia in Lingshui Li Autonomous County of Hainan Province].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the genetic carrier rate of thalassemia and its gene mutation types as well as the distribution characteristics among the people in Lingshui Li autonomous county of Hainan province, so as to provide the basis for making the prevention programs of thalassemia in administrative departments. METHODS: Samples were collected from couples undergoing premarital and pregestational screenings, in which the positive ones in preliminary screening were further tested by genetic diagnoses and the genotypes were analyzed. RESULTS: The rate of thalassemia gene carriers was 19.41% （274/1412） of the couples of childbearing age in Lingshui Li autonomous County of Hainan Province. In these carriers,α-thalassemia accounted for 83.21%（228/274）, ß-thalassemia for 8.03%（22/274）, and both α-and ß-thalassemia gene accounted for 8.76% （28/274）. CONCLUSION: The carrying rate of thalassemia gene in population Lingshui Li autonomous county of Hainan province is high, and its distribution has geographical characteristics,the major type is α-thalassemia. Blood screening and genetic diagnosis of thalassemia should be strengthened, and corresponding measures should be taken to reduce its gene frequency.

Serum C-C Motif Ligand 11/eotaxin-1 May Serve as a Candidate Biomarker for Postmenopausal Osteoporosis.

BACKGROUND: The chemokine C-C motif ligand 11, also known as eotaxin-1, has been identified as a novel mediator of inflammatory bone resorption. However, little is known regarding a potential role for CCL11/Eotaxin-1 in postmenopausal osteoporosis. OBJECTIVE: The scope of this study was to explore the relationship between serum CCL11/Eotaxin-1 concentrations and disease progression of postmenopausal females with osteoporosis. METHODS: A total of 83 postmenopausal women diagnosed with osteoporosis were enrolled. Meanwhile, 82 postmenopausal women with normal bone mineral density (BMD) and 85 healthy controls inner child-bearing age were enrolled as control. The Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was used to examine the BMDs at the femoral neck, lumbar spine 1-4 and total hip of all participants. Serum CCL11/Eotaxin-1 levels were examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. We also included inflammation marker interleukin-6 (IL-6) as well as a serum marker of bone resorption C-telopeptide cross-linked collagen type 1 (CTX-1). The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) were recorded to evaluate the clinical severity in POMP females. RESULTS: Serum CCL11/Eotaxin-1 levels were significantly elevated in postmenopausal osteoporotic patients PMOP patients compared with PMNOP and healthy controls. We observed a significant negative correlation of serum CCL11/Eotaxin-1 levels with lumbar spine, femoral neck and total hip BMD. Furthermore, serum CCL11/ Eotaxin-1 concentrations were also positively related to the VAS and ODI scores. Last, serum CCL11/ Eotaxin-1 concentrations were positively associated with IL-6 and CTX-1 levels. These correlations remain significant after adjusting for age and BMI. Multivariate linear regression analysis demonstrated that CCL11/Eotaxin-1 could serve as an independent marker. CONCLUSIONS: Serum CCL 11/Eotaxin-1 may serve as a candidate biomarker for postmenopausal osteoporosis. Therapeutics targeting CCL11/Eotaxin-1 and its related signalling way to prevent and slow progression of PMOP deserve further study.

The Neuropeptide Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide Levels in Serum are Inversely Related to Disease Severity of Postmenopausal Osteoporosis: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: The neuropeptide vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) has been identified as inhibiting osteoclastogenesis and suppressing inflammation. Objective: This study was conducted to examine serum VIP levels in postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMOP) patients and explore the correlation of serum VIP levels with disease severity of PMOP. Methods: A total of 106 postmenopausal women diagnosed as osteoporotic were enrolled in the study and 102 postmenopausal women with normal bone mineral density (BMD) were enrolled as controls. BMD at the femoral neck (FN), lumbar spine 1-4, and total hip were examined using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Genant semiquantitative grading was used for vertebral morphometry and fracture. Serum VIP levels were tested using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Serum inflammatory factor interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), osteoclastic activity marker tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b (TRACP-5b), and estrogen-2 (E2) were also examined. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses was performed to determine the diagnostic values of serum VIP, IL-1ß, TRCAP-5, and E2 with regard to Genant grade. Results: Our findings demonstrated a reduction in the serum level of VIP expressed in PMOP patients compared with controls. In the PMOP group, patients with lumbar fracture had significantly lower serum VIP concentrations in comparison with healthy controls. Serum VIP concentrations were positively associated with BMD at the FN, lumbar spine 1-4, and total hip. We also observed that serum VIP levels were positively correlated with E2 levels but negatively correlated with IL-1ß and TRCAP-5 levels. In addition, ROC analysis found that reduction of serum VIP in combination with elevation of TRACP-5b may serve as an indicator of a severe Genant grade. Conclusions: Attenuated serum VIP levels were linked to disease severity of PMOP and may act as a protective marker for PMOP.

Molecular design principles towards exo-exclusive Diels-Alder reactions.

The exo selective Diels-Alder reactions, reported as special cases, usually involve catalytic reaction conditions and specific cyclic structural motifs on the diene and/or the dienophile. Here we report a systematic computational investigation on the substituent effect for simple, linear dienes and dienophiles towards exo control in Diels-Alder reactions under thermal conditions. Through detailed characterization of reaction pathways for Diels-Alder cycloadditions between linear dienes and dienophiles with various substituents, we summarize a set of design principles aiming for an optimal and nearly-exclusive exo selectivity. These results shall lead to valuable guidelines and more versatile strategies in organic synthesis that are in accordance with the principles of green chemistry.