Strategies for patients with recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma involved internal carotid artery who are intolerant to embolization.

BACKGROUND: The surgical treatment of recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma (rNPC) involving the internal carotid artery (ICA) is challenging, as the massive bleeding caused by intraoperative rupture of the ICA is life-threatening. We reported that ICA embolization is an effective pretreatment to avoid fatal bleeding, but some patients cannot tolerate the procedure. We used endovascular vascular protection (ICA stents), vascular sacrifice (bypass grafting) and extravascular vascular protection (transcervical external stent placement) of the ICA to provide alternative options for these patients. METHODOLOGYy: This study enrolled patients with rNPC adjacent to or invading the ICA who were unsuitable for ICA embolization from January 2015 to June 2020. ICA pretreatment combined with endoscopic nasopharyngectomy (ENPG) was performed for the 30 patients. We report the survival outcome and incidence of complications after ICA pretreatment. RESULTS: ICA pretreatment was performed for the 30 enrolled patients, among whom 8 underwent endoscopic-assisted transcervical protection of the parapharyngeal ICA combined with ENPG, 6 underwent bypass grafting, and 16 underwent ICA stent implantation followed by ENPG. After pretreatment, at a median follow-up of 43 months (range, 2-80 months), the 3-year locoregional overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), locoregional recurrence-free survival (LRRFS), and distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) were 62.9%, 61.3%, 70.2%, and 71.4%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: ICA pretreatment combined with salvage ENPG enables the feasible and effective resection of rNPC lesions involving the ICA in patients who cannot tolerate ICA embolization. Therefore, this treatment may be an effective method for improving outcomes. Multidisciplinary therapy is needed to reduce operation-related complications.

Author Correction: BHMT polymorphism and susceptibility to PTE in Chinese patients.

Correction to: Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2023; 27 (9): 4098-4102. DOI: 10.26355/eurrev_202305_32317-PMID: 37203835-published online on May 15, 2023. After publication, the authors applied a correction in the Funding section. The section has been amended as follows: This study was supported by the research program of Jilin Provincial Science and Technology Department (No. 20190201011J). There are amendments to this paper. The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. https://www.europeanreview.org/article/32317.

BHMT polymorphism and susceptibility to PTE in Chinese patients.

OBJECTIVE: Pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) is as a common form of venous thrombosis and a potentially fatal cardiovascular disorder, which has become a severe clinical problem with high incidence and mortality. The PTE has a strong genetic basis, which contributes up to half of the variance in PTE incidence and susceptibility single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) is associated with PTE. Betaine homocysteine methyltransferase (BHMT) is an essential enzyme that catalyzes the remethylating reaction from homocysteine to methionine and participates in conserving methionine and detoxifying homocysteine. In this work, we aimed to explore BHMT polymorphism and susceptibility to PTE in Chinese patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Variant loci of the BHMT gene were screened in serum samples of PTE patients, followed by verification using Sanger sequencing. These polymorphic loci were validated in 16 PTE patients and 16 matched normal patients. The frequency differences between the allele and genotypes were compared using the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium test and Chi-square test. RESULTS: A SNP was identified in PTE patients and a heterozygous transition of G>A (Arg239Gln) in rs3733890 was found. The variance difference at rs3733890 between normal patients (2/16, 0.125) and PTE patients (9/16, 0.5625) was significant (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Therefore, we concluded that the BHMT polymorphism, rs3733890 may be a susceptibility SNP for PTE.

Stent pretreatment for internal carotid artery exposed to necrotic lesions in nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Post radiation nasopharyngeal necrosis (PRNN) invading the internal carotid artery (ICA) contributes to the death of 69.2-72.7% of PRNN patients. ICA occlusion is an effective treatment to avoid fatal bleeding, while some patients are intolerant. We present a novel method that allows for these patients without interrupting blood flow through the ICA. METHODOLOGY: This study enrolled patients with PRNN-invaded ICA who were not suitable for ICA occlusion from April 2020 to November 2022. ICA stent pretreatment was performed in the 36 patients and followed the endoscopic nasopharyngectomy (ENPG) or conservative treatment for PRNN. We report the survival outcome and incidence of complications after stent implantation and compare the survival outcomes of ENPG and conservative treatment for PRNN followed by stent implantation. RESULTS: ICA stent pretreatment was performed in the 36 enrolled patients, among which 14 underwent ENPG, and 22 received conservative treatment. 27.8% patients died after a median follow-up of 15 months. The Kaplan-Meier estimates of overall survival were higher in the ENPG group than in the conservative treatment group. Karnofsky performance status (KPS) was significantly higher in the ENPG group than in the non-ENPG group. CONCLUSIONS: The innovative application of ICA stents is a promising treatment to improve outcomes in patients with PRNN invading the ICA who are unsuitable for ICA embolization, especially when followed by endoscopic surgery. However, methods to avoid postoperative cerebral ischemia and nasopharyngeal hemorrhage still require further study.

A 1:1 matched case-control study on dietary protein intakes and hip fracture risk in Chinese elderly men and women.

The role of protein intake in bone has been controversial. Our case-control study among Chinese elderly concluded that a higher consumption of protein, even substituted for fat, is associated with lowered hip fracture risk. Differences in protein sources, amino acids composition, gender, and calcium sufficiency may explain the inconsistency. PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to investigate the association of dietary protein intakes with hip fracture risk among Chinese elderly. METHODS: This was a 1:1 age and sex matched cross-sectional study of case-control design among 1070 pairs of elderly Chinese people aged 55 to 80 years. Patients who were newly diagnosed (within 2-week) hip fracture by X-ray were recruited from four hospitals in Guangdong Province of China. Dietary intakes were evaluated by a validated food frequency questionnaire for total protein, protein from different sources, amino acids profiles, and estimated renal acid load in diet. RESULTS: Daily average intakes of total protein were 58.1±27.0 (women) and 65.7±31.8 (men) g/d for cases, and 66.8±21.5 (women) and 72.1±24.4 (men) for controls (p<0.001). Multivariable regression indicated that, compared with the lowest quartile, the highest quartile of consumption of energy adjusted total protein [OR: 0.360 (0.206~0.630) for women and 0.381 (0.153~0.949) for men] and animal protein [0.326 (0.183, 0.560) for women and 0.335 (0.136~0.828) for men] was significantly associated with the lowered risk of hip fracture in a dose-response manner (all p for trend <0.05). A significant hip fracture risk reduction was observed in women with higher intakes of sulfur amino acids [OR: 0.464 (0.286~0.753)] and aromatic amino acids [0.537 (0.326~0.884)] but not in men. Subgroup analysis suggested that these associations were more evident in elderly with lower body mass index and dietary calcium intake less than 400 mg/d. CONCLUSIONS: A higher level of protein intake, even substituted for fat, is associated with lowered hip fracture risk.

Nano-TiO2 particles inhibit the biological behavior and mineralization of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells transfected with CXCR4.

OBJECTIVE: Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSC) are widely used as experimental cells with potential differentiation function. Nanomaterials are currently a research hotspot. We assessed nano-TiO2 particles' effect on the biological behavior and mineralization of CXCR4 transfected BMSCs. PATIENTS AND METHODS: After transfection of BMSC with CXCR4, cells were divided into blank group (no transfection), control group (transfection with CXCR4) and observe group (transfection with CXCR4 containing nanoparticles). Then, cell proliferation and ALP staining were measured along with analysis of Runx2 and BGP level by Western blot or RT-PCR and mineralization detection. RESULTS: With increased culture time, the observed fractionation on day 14 showed significantly reduced activity; 3 mn nano-TiO2 particles significantly inhibited cell proliferation and bone formation after CXCR4 transfection with an inhibitory effect on the osteogenic ability of CXCR4-transfected BMCS cells in a time-dependent manner. The longer the culture time, the more significantly inhibitory effect; 3 mn nano-TiO2 particles can inhibit the mineralization of BMSCs after transfection of CXCR4 to a certain extent. CONCLUSIONS: TiO2 nanoparticles have an inhibitory effect on the biological behavior and mineralization of BMSC cells transfected with CXCR4. The longer the culture time, the greater the inhibitory effect on osteogenic differentiation of BMSC cells transfected with CXCR4.

Analysis of NudCD1 and NF-κΒ in the early detection and course evaluation of renal cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Early detection and effective evaluation are helpful for renal cancer diagnosis and treatment. NudCD1 and NF-κΒ are abnormally expressed in tumors and inflammations. However, their role in early detection and course evaluation of renal cancer has not been reported. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The serum of clinically diagnosed renal cancer patients and healthy volunteers (control group) were collected to measure the expressions of NudCD1 and NF-κΒ mRNA by Real time PCR. RESULTS: NudCD1 and NF-κΒ mRNA in renal cancer patients were significantly upregulated compared to controls (p<0.05). NudCD1 was positively correlated with tumor diameter, TNM stage, lymph node metastasis, degree of differentiation, and distant metastasis (p<0.05); whereas, NF-κΒ was positively related to TNM stage, lymph node metastasis, and distant metastasis (p<0.05) but not to tumor diameter and differentiation degree. NudCD1 and NF-κΒ were positively correlated. The combined detection improved the diagnostic specificity and sensitivity of renal cancer. CONCLUSIONS: The expression of NudCD1 and NF-κΒ is increased in renal cancer and is correlated with renal cancer clinicopathological characteristics. The combined detection of NudCD1 and NF-κΒ can improve the early diagnosis of kidney cancer.

Clinical significance of FSTL 1, Bax, Bcl-2 in acute cerebral infarction and its relationship with hemorrhagic transformation.

OBJECTIVE: Acute cerebral infarction (ACI) is the most common type of acute cerebrovascular disease so far, and its incidence rate has been increasing in recent years. At present, the methods of diagnosing ACI in clinic are extremely complicated, and an effective index that can effectively diagnose ACI is urgently needed in clinic. This study is designed to investigate the clinical significance of Follistatin-like protein 1 (FSTL1), Bax and Bcl-2 in ACI. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 84 cases of ACI patients admitted to our hospital from September 2017 to September 2019 and 90 cases of healthy subjects undergoing physical examination at the same time were selected as the research objects for prospective analysis. The concentrations of FSTL1, Bax and Bcl-2 in the peripheral blood of objects in the two groups were detected to analyze the diagnostic value of FSTL1, Bax and Bcl-2 for ACI, and the correlation of FSTL 1, Bax and Bcl-2 with the infarct size, treatment method and hemorrhagic transformation. Another 20 SD rats were purchased, among which 10 rats were randomly selected for ACI modeling. FSTL1 concentration, Bax and Bcl-2 protein expression in brain tissues of ACI rats and normal rats were detected. RESULTS: FSTL1 and Bax in peripheral blood of ACI patients were higher than those of healthy subjects (p<0.050), and Bcl-2 was lower than those of healthy subjects (p<0.050). It was detected that FSTL1, Bax and Bcl-2 had good diagnostic value for patients with ACI (p<0.001). FSTL1 and Bax decreased while Bcl-2 increased in patients treated with thrombolytic therapy (p<0.050). And FSTL1, Bax and Bcl-2 were closely related to infarct size and hemorrhagic transformation (p<0.050). Logistic regression analysis showed that NIHSS score, atrial fibrillation, infarct volume, FSTL1 and Bax were independent risk factors affecting hemorrhagic transformation in ACI patients (p<0.050), and Bcl-2 was an independent protective factor affecting hemorrhagic transformation in ACI patients (p<0.050). The concentration of FSTL1 and the expression of Bax protein in rat brain tissue were also higher than that in normal rats, while Bcl-2 was lower than that in normal rats (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: FSTL1, Bax and Bcl-2 are involved in the occurrence and development of ACI and are closely related to the hemorrhagic transformation of patients. The mechanism by which FSTL1 promotes the occurrence of ACI might be related to promoting the occurrence of inflammatory responses in the brain tissue of patients or accelerating the apoptosis of neurons.

Stathmin 1 promotes the progression of liver cancer through interacting with YAP1.

OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to explore whether Hippo/YAP signaling pathway was involved in STMN1 (stathmin 1)-mediated liver cancer progression. PATIENTS AND METHODS: STMN1 expression patterns were determined by Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) assay (RT-PCR) and Western blotting. The relationship between STMN1 expression levels and the clinical features and the prognosis of patients with liver cancer were evaluated by χ2-test and student's t-test. Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), flow cytometry and in vivo tumor formation assays were used to assess cell proliferation, apoptosis and tumorigenesis, respectively. Interaction between STMN1 and Yes associated protein (YAP1) was determined by immunoprecipitation (IP) and immunofluorescence technologies. RESULTS: The results showed that STMN1 expression in liver cancer tissues was significantly higher than that in the adjacent normal tissues and increased STMN1 expression predicted an advanced clinical process and short overall survival of patients. Cell proliferation was increased and apoptosis was decreased when STMN1 was upregulated in HepG2 and SNU-398 cells. Besides, our results demonstrated that the overexpression of STMN1 enhanced the tumorigenesis of liver cancer cells through upregulating YAP1. CONCLUSIONS: The current study demonstrates that STMN1 upregulation promotes the occurrence and development of liver cancer via activating YAP1 signaling. STMN1 overexpression may be an early event of liver carcinogenesis and it may be served as a marker for the diagnosis and treatment of liver cancer.

Switching to coformulated rilpivirine (RPV), emtricitabine (FTC) and tenofovir alafenamide from either RPV, FTC and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) or efavirenz, FTC and TDF: 96-week results from two randomized clinical trials.

OBJECTIVES: The single-tablet regimen rilpivirine, emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide (RPV/FTC/TAF) for treatment of HIV-1-infected adults was approved based on bioequivalence. We assessed the clinical efficacy, safety and tolerability of switching to RPV/FTC/TAF from either RPV/FTC/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) or efavirenz (EFV)/FTC/TDF. METHODS: We conducted two distinct randomized, double-blind, active-controlled, noninferiority trials in participants taking RPV/FTC/TDF (Study 1216) and EFV/FTC/TDF (Study 1160). Each study randomized virologically suppressed (HIV-1 RNA < 50 copies/mL) adults (1:1) to switch to RPV/FTC/TAF or continue their current regimen for 96 weeks. We evaluated efficacy as the proportion with HIV-1 RNA < 50 copies/mL using the Food and Drug Administration snapshot algorithm and prespecified bone and renal endpoints at week 96. RESULTS: We randomized and treated 630 participants in Study 1216 (RPV/FTC/TAF, n = 316; RPV/FTC/TDF, n = 314) and 875 in Study 1160 (RPV/FTC/TAF, n = 438; EFV/FTC/TDF, n = 437). In both studies, the efficacy of switching to RPV/FTC/TAF was noninferior to that of continuing baseline therapy at week 96, with respective percentages of patients with HIV RNA < 50 copies/mL being 89.2% versus 88.5% in Study 1216 [difference 0.7%; 95% confidence interval (CI) -4.3 to +5.8%] and 85.2% versus 85.1% in Study 1160 (difference 0%; 95% CI -4.8 to +4.8%). No participant on RPV/FTC/TAF developed treatment-emergent resistance versus two on EFV/FTC/TDF and one on RPV/FTC/TDF. Compared with continuing baseline therapy, significant improvements in bone mineral density and renal tubular markers were observed in the RPV/FTC/TAF groups (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Switching to RPV/FTC/TAF from RPV/FTC/TDF or EFV/FTC/TDF was safe and effective and improved bone mineral density and renal biomarkers up to 96 weeks with no cases of treatment-emergent resistance.

Study the relevance between inflammatory factors and estradiol and their association with knee osteoarthritis in postmenopausal women.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether serum levels of inflammatory factors and estradiol (E2) are involved in the pathogenesis of postmenopausal women with knee osteoarthritis (OA). PATIENTS AND METHODS: 58 randomly patients diagnosed with postmenopausal knee OA that underwent orthopedic surgery from October 2013 to October 2016 in our hospital were selected. These patients, considered as the experimental group, according to the degree of cartilage damage, were divided into light, medium and heavy groups. 58 patients with menstrual disorders without knee OA were in the control group. 35 cases without osteoarthritis were included in the normal control group. Serum levels of interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), high sensitive C- reactive protein (CRP), estradiol (E2) and IL-1, IL-6 and TNF-α levels in the synovial fluid of the experimental group were measured. RESULTS: The serum levels of IL-1, IL-6, TNF-α, and CRP in the normal control group, the control group and the experimental group were gradually increasing, the difference was statistically significant (p<0.05). The level of serum E2 was gradually decreasing (p<0.05); the difference of ESR between normal control group and control group had no significant difference (p>0.05), but the level of ESR in experimental group was higher than the normal control group and the control group (p<0.05). The serum levels of IL-1, TNF-α in experimental group of mild, moderate and severe sub-group were gradually increasing, the difference was statistically significant (p<0.05); while the level of IL-6 in the early, middle stage of OA increased significantly, and the late was reduced (p<0.05). The level of E2 was gradually decreased in the mild, moderate and severe sub-group of the experimental group, which had statistically significant difference (p<0.05). The level of serum E2 in the experimental group was positively correlated with the levels of IL-1, IL-6 and TNF-α in synovial fluid (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The lack of estradiol is associated with the pathogenesis of OA in postmenopausal women, the inflammatory factors of IL-1, IL-6, TNF-α in postmenopausal increased in serum and synovial fluid may promote and aggravate the OA.

Serotonin receptor 1A promoter polymorphism, rs6295, modulates human anxiety levels via altering parasympathetic nervous activity.

OBJECTIVE: The G-allele of the -1019C/G (rs6295) promoter polymorphism of the serotonin receptor 1A (HTR1A) gene has been implicated in anxiety; however, the underlying neurophysiological processes are still not fully understood. Recent evidence indicates that low parasympathetic (vagal) tone is predictive of anxiety. We thus conducted a structural equation model (SEM) to examine whether the HTR1A rs6295 variant can affect anxiety by altering parasympathetic nervous activity. METHOD: A sample of 1141 drug-free healthy Han Chinese was recruited for HTR1A genotyping. Autonomic nervous function was assessed by short-term spectral analysis of heart rate variability (HRV). Anxiety and stress levels were evaluated by the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) respectively. RESULTS: The number of the HTR1A G allele was inversely correlated with high-frequency power (HF), a parasympathetic index of HRV. The HF index was negatively associated with BAI scores. Furthermore, the good-fitting SEM, adjusting for confounding variables (e.g., age and PSS levels), revealed a significant pathway linking rs6295 variant to BAI scores via HF index modulation. CONCLUSION: These results are the first to show that HTR1A -1019C/G polymorphism influences anxiety levels by modulating parasympathetic tone, providing a neurophysiological insight into the role of HTR1A in human anxiety.

Null genotype of GSTT1 may be associated with esophageal cancer risk: a meta-analysis in Chinese individuals.

Many studies have analyzed the association between between GSTT1 polymorphism and esophageal cancer, however, the results remained inconclusive. We therefore performed an updated meta-analysis based on Chinese individuals. PubMed, Springer Link, Ovid, Chinese Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure and Chinese Biology Medicine were searched up to December 2016. An OR with the corresponding 95% CI was used to assess the strength of the association. This meta-analysis included 12 studieswith 1246 cases and 1863 controls. Overall, GSTT1 null genotype was associated with an increased esophageal cancer risk when all studies in Chinese populations pooled into this meta-analysis. In stratified studies with geographical location, significantly increased risk was found in North China (OR = 1.45, 95%CI: 1.11-1.91) and in studies with population-based control (OR = 1.29, 95%CI: 1.07-1.55). This study suggested that GSTT1 null genotype may be potential biomarkers for esophageal cancer in China, especially in North China. Studies with larger sample sizes and wider spectrum of populations are warranted to verify this finding.

Effects of fish oil-derived fatty acids on suboptimal cardiovascular health: A multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Suboptimal health and metabolic disorders are common in the general population. Both are related to cardiovascular disease. Suboptimal cardiovascular health is defined by the presence of both suboptimal health and metabolic disorders. The aim of the study was to investigate the potential benefit of n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA) in participants with suboptimal cardiovascular health. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 422 participants with suboptimal cardiovascular health, from two clinics in China, were enrolled from September 2014 to April 2015. All the enrolled participants were randomly assigned to receive 4 g/d of fish oil or placebo for three months. Suboptimal health was defined using an accepted questionnaire. Metabolic disorders were defined as one or more abnormalities in blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose, blood lipids, and body mass index (BMI). After treatment, the mean BMI fell significantly more in the n-3 LCPUFA group than in the placebo group (-0.29 ± 0.06 kg/m2 vs. -0.02 ± 0.06 kg/m2, P = 0.003). Similar results were found in the changes of suboptimal health status and suboptimal cardiovascular health status (P < 0.05 for all). In a multivariate analysis, the n-3 LCPUFA group was 5.44 (1.15, 25.67) times more likely to have optimal cardiovascular health status after treatment. CONCLUSIONS: n-3 LCPUFA intake improved suboptimal cardiovascular health in this placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind trial. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study is registered at www.clinicaltrials.govNCT02103517.

MicroRNA-217 suppressed epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in gastric cancer metastasis through targeting PTPN14.

OBJECTIVE: Gastric cancer (GC) is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths while the mechanisms underlying its metastasis are not fully understood. In this study, we aimed to explore the relationship between miR-217 and GC metastasis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We examined miR-217 level in gastric tumor tissues of 48 patients with GC and in cell lines including gastric mucosa epithelial cell line (GES-1), gastric cancer cell line (BGC-823), and gastric cancer cell line (SGC-7901). The effects of miR-217 on EMT conditions were detected using cell migration and invasion assays. The potential regulatory target of miR-217 was determined by prediction tool, target protein expression and Luciferase reporter assay. RESULTS: We found a lower expression of miR-217 in the tumor tissues of GC patients with metastasis. Increased expression of miR-217 markedly suppressed GC cell metastasis and invasion in vitro. We observed a strongly negative correlation between expressions of miR-217 and PTPN14 mRNA in GC tissues, and miR-217 repressed PTPN14 expression by directly targeting its 3'UTR. Furthermore, the loss of PTPN14 induced by miR-217 or si-PTPN14 reduced the metastasis and invasion of GC cells, whereas restoration of PTPN14 led to the enhanced metastases and invasion of GC cells. MiR-217-induced the loss of PTPN14 modulated the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in GC cells, as indicated by the modulated expression of E-cadherin. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that miR-217 suppressed the EMT through directly binding to the PTPN14-3'UTR in GC progression, and might be a novel biomarker for the detection of GC metastasis.

Cooling-evoked hemodynamic perturbations facilitate sympathetic activity with subsequent myogenic vascular oscillations via alpha2-adrenergic receptors.

This study extends our previous work by examining the effects of alpha2-adrenoceptors under cold stimulation involving the increase of myogenic vascular oscillations as increases of very-low-frequency and low-frequency of the blood pressure variability. Forty-eight adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups: vehicle; yohimbine; hexamethonium+yohimbine; guanethidine+yohimbine. Systolic blood pressure, heart rate, power spectral analysis of spontaneous blood pressure and heart rate variability and spectral coherence at very-low-frequency (0.02 to 0.2 Hz), low-frequency (0.2 to 0.6 Hz), and high-frequency (0.6 to 3.0 Hz) regions were monitored using telemetry. Key findings are as follows: 1) Cooling-induced pressor response was attenuated by yohimbine and further attenuated by hexamethonium+yohimbine and guanethidine+yohimbine, 2) Cooling-induced tachycardia response of yohimbine was attenuated by hexamethonium+yohimbine and guanethidine+yohimbine, 3) Different patterns of power spectrum reaction and coherence value compared hexamethonium+yohimbine and guanethidine+yohimbine to yohimbine alone under cold stimulation. The results suggest that sympathetic activation of the postsynaptic alpha2-adrenoceptors causes vasoconstriction and heightening myogenic vascular oscillations, in turn, may increase blood flow to prevent tissue damage under stressful cooling challenge.

Association of ORMDL3 with rhinovirus-induced endoplasmic reticulum stress and type I Interferon responses in human leucocytes.

BACKGROUND: Children with risk alleles at the 17q21 genetic locus who wheeze during rhinovirus illnesses have a greatly increased likelihood of developing childhood asthma. In mice, overexpression of the 17q21 gene ORMDL3 leads to airway remodelling and hyperresponsiveness. However, the mechanisms by which ORMDL3 predisposes to asthma are unclear. Previous studies have suggested that ORMDL3 induces endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and production of the type I interferon (IFN)-regulated chemokine CXCL10. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between ORMDL3 and rhinovirus-induced ER stress and type I IFN in human leucocytes. METHODS: ER stress was monitored by measuring HSPA5, CHOP and spliced XBP1 gene expression, and type I IFN by measuring IFNB1 (IFN-ß) and CXCL10 expression in human cell lines and primary leucocytes following treatment with rhinovirus. Requirements for cell contact and specific cell type in ORMDL3 induction were examined by transwell assay and depletion experiments, respectively. Finally, the effects of 17q21 genotype on the expression of ORMDL3, IFNB1 and ER stress genes were assessed. RESULTS: THP-1 monocytes overexpressing ORMDL3 responded to rhinovirus with increased IFNB1 and HSPA5. Rhinovirus-induced ORMDL3 expression in primary leucocytes required cell-cell contact, and induction was suppressed by plasmacytoid dendritic cell depletion. The degree of rhinovirus-induced ORMDL3, HSPA5 and IFNB1 expression varied by leucocyte type and 17q21 genotype, with the highest expression of these genes in the asthma-associated genotype. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Multiple lines of evidence support an association between higher ORMDL3 and increased rhinovirus-induced HSPA5 and type I IFN gene expression. These associations with ORMDL3 are cell type specific, with the most significant 17q21 genotype effects on ORMDL3 expression and HSPA5 induction evident in B cells. Together, these findings have implications for how the interaction of increased ORMDL3 and rhinovirus may predispose to asthma.

Application of endoscopy to treat mandibular keratocystic odontogenic tumors

The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of endoscopy to remove keratocystic odontogenic tumors (KCOTs) with virtual 3D mandibular images. Fifteen patients (mean age, 40.27±14.58 years) who underwent endoscopic mandibular KCOT enucleation between May 2009 and October 2009 were included. Virtual 3D mandibular reconstructions derived from computed tomography (CT) imaging were generated for all patients. Recurrence and pathological fracture were evaluated as the primary outcome variables at 1 and 12 months after operation. Secondary infection and inferior alveolar nerve injury were evaluated as the secondary outcome variables at 1 and 6 months after operation. None of the 15 patients exhibited signs of recurrence or pathological fracture after operation. During long-term follow-up, no symptoms of inferior alveolar nerve injury or secondary infection were observed and no signs of recurrence were found in any of the patients. Endoscopy helps surgeons to remove mandibular KCOTs with small incisions. Moreover, endoscopy can provide clear and magnified views and help to avoid damage to the inferior alveolar neurovascular bundle. Therefore, under the support of preoperative virtual 3D mandibular images, the application of endoscopy to remove the tumors should be considered to be a treatment option for KCOTs.

Molecular identification and seasonal infections of species of Fasciola in ruminants from two provinces in China.

We determined the prevalence and seasonality of infections by Fasciola of goats and bovine species (cattle and water buffalo) in Hubei and Anhui provinces of China. Faecal samples were collected at 2- to 3-month intervals from 200 goats in Hubei province and from 152 bovine species in Anhui province. All faecal samples were examined for the presence of parasites. We determined the nucleotide sequences of the first and second internal transcribed spacers (ITS-1 and ITS-2) of the nuclear ribosomal DNA (rDNA) of 39 Fasciola worms from Anhui province. The prevalence of Fasciola infection in goats ranged between 3.5 and 37.0%, with mean eggs per gram (EPG) ranging between 29.0 and 166.0. Prevalence and EPG exhibited downward trends over time with significant differences. The prevalence of Fasciola infection in cattle ranged between 13.3 and 46.2% (mean EPG, 36.4-100.0), and that of water buffalo ranged between 10.3 and 35.4% (mean EPG, 25.0-89.6), with a higher prevalence of infection and EPG from June to October compared with December to March. Analysis of ITS-1 and ITS-2 sequences revealed that F. hepatica and F. gigantica were present in all bovine species of Anhui province and that F. gigantica mainly infected water buffalo. This is the first demonstration of Fasciola infection in Hubei province and detection of F. hepatica and F. gigantica in Anhui province. The present study of Hubei province shows that mass treatment of livestock with closantel sodium injections in April and August/September controlled Fasciola infection effectively.